Mathematics

Economics, government, and social relations are packed fields because they are filled with thwarted math and science majors. Many a student has come to Harvard and breezed through Math 1, and taken a program of chemistry, physics, and math his second year only to find that Math 2 or 105 are tough, and he can spend hours on one problem with no result. Sometimes he does not discover he is in math over his head until he has spent half his time in College in science courses which will give no credit toward his new major.

There is one way for the math concentrator to play safe. In sophomore year he can take Math 2a with two or three courses outside the Natural Sciences area.

Straight and Narrow Path

The math major must tread the straight and narrow path through Math 1, 2, and 105. After that he can take almost any course in the department. At this point the field becomes very interesting; but few hold out through the three preliminary courses which repeat the same methods going a little deeper each time.

A math major must take six courses--four in math and two in the related fields of physics and chemistry. Only two of these courses can be freshman level. (Fortunately, Physics 11 counts as an advanced course.) The man going out for honors can take only one elementary course for credit, must write a thesis, and take orals.

Graduate School is the only place for the student who majors in pure math. If he intends to go anywhere else he would be wise to take some physics courses.