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I am an undergraduate (currently a sophomore) studying to prepare for applying to a Ph.D. program in mathematics. I have thus far structured my course selection upon the advice of a friend I met during freshman year (he was a senior) who has gone on to a Ph.D. program himself. A large part of his advice was what a Ph.D. program in mathematics would expect from a strong applicant. Or perhaps "expect" is not the right word - his words were that having certain topics under my belt by the end of undergraduate study would make me a pretty strong candidate.

His suggested topics for study were: real analysis at least at the level of baby Rudin, preferably further real analysis (measure theory, functional analysis, etc. - probably Folland or similar), point-set topology, complex analysis, Fourier analysis, differential geometry, probability, linear algebra, and abstract algebra (e.g. Artin, Dummit & Foote). He also suggested that if I had time for it, it would be worthwhile to know commutative algebra, algebraic topology, axiomatic set theory, number theory, and mathematical logic, though these wouldn't be strictly necessary.

The notable omissions from this list, I think, are elementary partial differential equations, combinatorics, and graph theory. At the time I spoke to him, I had already done up to multivariable calculus and was doing ordinary differential equations, so those were omitted for that reason. The reason for leaving out PDEs was apparently because it would be more worthwhile to study a lot more background material in analysis and topology before moving onto PDEs, as opposed to jumping into PDEs with just ODE knowledge. As for discrete mathematics, apparently these are more optional than things like set theory and number theory - again, nice if you know these things, but not catastrophic if you don't for Ph.D. admissions.

Here is my question: is this an accurate picture of what a sample strong applicant for a Ph.D. program might look like? Are there other topics I should consider studying? I realize that students apply to Ph.D. programs from all mathematical backgrounds, and faculty recommendations, GRE scores, summer REUs/programs, extracurricular mathematical activity (seminar talks, etc.) also contribute heavily. But I imagine that there is a basic level of coursework that in addition to having good recommendations, REUs, etc. would suggest that an applicant is ready for graduate work.

My concern with this picture of recommended coursework is that the friend who suggested it to me is primarily interested in analysis, and I think it's worthwhile to have perspectives from mathematicians interested in algebra, discrete mathematics, etc. on this matter. It would also be great to have some perspectives from professors on graduate admissions committees and professors that often mentor graduate students/teach graduate classes.

If it is relevant to this discussion: right now I am leaning toward studying topology and geometry, though I am also interested in the nonlinear analysis I am reading right now. Take this with a grain of salt - I haven't studied many of the topics in the above list yet. It's very likely my opinion will change once I know abstract algebra. My current progress on the list: I am studying real analysis using baby Rudin, I have studied topology, probability, linear algebra, and combinatorics, this semester I will start differential geometry and complex analysis, and I plan to go over topology again.

Gyu Eun Lee
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    Take whatever you need to take to get your undergrad degree, then take classes that interest you (not necessarily in that order). Also, get to know your professors and ask them for advice on what to take. Every school is different, and they will know what classes there are worth taking. – Antonio Vargas Jan 17 '13 at 20:32
  • Differential equations are for engineers :) Definitely not required, unless related to fields you are interested in. Graph theory is usually considered part of combinatorics, FWIW. – Thomas Andrews Jan 17 '13 at 20:38
  • @AntonioVargas Let's say that all of these topics interest me (nice thing about being a math major). I'd like to emphasize that not all of these topics are classes - many of them are not offered as classes at my school. Some of the ones that are offered are not what I'm looking for (e.g. lots of handwavy stuff for engineers and teachers). I'd like you to think of them more as topics of study, which I might do through independent study or such. – Gyu Eun Lee Jan 17 '13 at 20:38
  • It obviously greatly depends on what interests you. If you are interested in finite mathematics, then take it. If you are interested in logic, take that (there is a lot of interesting undergrad-level logic, a big topic that you have mostly skipped.) – Thomas Andrews Jan 17 '13 at 20:40
  • @ThomasAndrews I always wondered about that attitude with undergrad ODEs and PDEs. The friend and the professors I've talked with regarding them generally say to leave it for grad school, where you can really apply analytical, topological, and geometric techniques to the theory (if I want to do PDEs at all - which I suppose I might). Is this an okay attitude to have toward the subject? – Gyu Eun Lee Jan 17 '13 at 20:41
  • I got into MIT grad school without PDE, but I might have been a special case. My impression about PDEs is that it is a lot of very specialized techniques - a "toolkit" class, rather than one that greatly advances understanding. Linear algebra is similarly filled with techniques, but it has a lot of applicability in a lot of fields - it seems more fundamental to me. – Thomas Andrews Jan 17 '13 at 20:44
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    Personally, I'd focus less about covering all possible bases, and more on thoroughly mastering the foundational classes (by referring to "foundational", I do not mean in any way to imply "elementary"), leaving a little "wiggle room" in your schedule to pursue one or two of the topics that you find particularly interesting in the foundational classes - perhaps topics for undergrad research, or a thesis, etc. – amWhy Jan 17 '13 at 21:17
  • @amWhy I agree with you. I'm just a little lost on what would be considered "foundational." Example: I think we can all agree that real analysis at the level of baby Rudin would be considered foundational, and of course I should master this stuff thoroughly. But what about the analysis beyond that? $L^p$ spaces and so on, are they foundational? Point set topology is obviously important, but what about getting a sense of algebraic or differential topology? After all, manifolds are central objects of study, no? I'm looking for this sort of clarification. – Gyu Eun Lee Jan 17 '13 at 21:27
  • Maybe you should just follow the mouvement until you have to make a choice... You can only see how important is a course until you have followed this course. In graduate school, you would have to choose what topics you want to study deeper, so wait this time :) – Alan Simonin Jan 17 '13 at 21:36
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    I would advise excelling in breadth rather than depth, at least once you've gotten the "basics" of real analysis and abstract algebra out of the way (ideally, the equivalent of 2 semesters of each). Besides the benefits in later research, it will also benefit you in later teaching. Also, I don't know why undergraduate level PDE's are being dismissed so much here. I think Weinberger's A First Course in Partial Differential Equations: With Complex Variables and Transform Methods has quite a bit of useful stuff in it for someone in your situation. – Dave L. Renfro Jan 17 '13 at 21:38
  • @amWhy Continued. It's also a question of what would leave me well prepared for graduate study. Of course it pays to know the foundations forwards and backwards, but I think it is also important to know mathematics from a wide variety of approaches, since there are many ways to study and understand the central objects of study. Alan, starting next year I'm going to run out of undergraduate classes to take at my school so the choice is actually closer than you'd think. Also, I'm not looking to "specialize" - quite the opposite in fact. I'm looking to "generalize." – Gyu Eun Lee Jan 17 '13 at 21:38
  • I'd suggest you scout out the site I linked below. You might also want to check if your current school to see if they have a "consortium" agreement with other colleges/universities in the area that permit you to earn credit at your current institution while studying elsewhere to enable you to continue studying math prior to graduate school. You may also be able to study independently under the guidance of a professor: self-study with a bit of accountability. – amWhy Jan 17 '13 at 21:43
  • It sounds like you have already decided the answer to your question :) – Antonio Vargas Jan 17 '13 at 21:44
  • proximal - I don't think anyone is trying to demean you or not take you seriously. It is clear you are a dedicated student with a passion for math. That's a great thing. It's a long road to acquiring a PhD in math, and it's precisely because of your seriousness and dedication that we are suggesting you can afford to relax a bit now, enjoy your undergraduate studies, cover the bases as best you can (which you clearly have the ambition to do), but also enjoy the ride. – amWhy Jan 17 '13 at 21:49
  • @amWhy I didn't think anyone was trying to demean me at all! I just wanted to clarify my (admittedly rather vague) question. I'm already enjoying what I do, but I'm wondering if the list of topics I've mentioned is really the best way to outline my undergraduate education goals - the current list seems possibly biased toward graduate study in analysis. I'd like to hear what an algebraist or topologist (and others) might have to say about this list. Kind of like "if you could have studied more topics during undergrad, and considering what you're doing now, what would you have tried?" – Gyu Eun Lee Jan 17 '13 at 22:02
  • Yes, I hope my previous comment was taken only as a joke! You have clearly thought a lot about this, and that is indeed admirable. – Antonio Vargas Jan 17 '13 at 22:15

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I'd suggest you visit the American Mathematical Society's site for students: I've linked you to their page for information that addresses concerns of current undergrad students. There are links to graduate programs (and their requirements and contact information), and information about undergraduate research programs, funding sources, career prospects, etc.

Survey a few programs, their requirements for admission, suggestions to applicants, funding availability, program requirements, etc. Requirements for admission will vary from program to program, but you'll find a common basis with which to answer your own question.

amWhy
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    I like this site myself - the AMS grad blog is a personal favorite. – Gyu Eun Lee Jan 17 '13 at 22:04
  • Good for you; I'll give it some more thought! If I find anything that I think might be additionally resourceful, I'll edit the answer to include it. – amWhy Jan 17 '13 at 22:18