Math question for any math (or physics) majors

[al112987]

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I'm not actually sure where to ask this, but I guess this would be the best place? Regardless, I'm sure there are math/compsci/physics majors here so I will just go ahead and ask.

Is a course in real analysis necessary to do well in complex analysis? I'm planning on taking an undergraduate complex analysis course next semester and the only listed pre-req is an introductory ODE/Linear Algebra course.

Would it be a bad idea not to have real analysis first?

 

[NotMeNow]

complex analysis is usually easier than real analysis (of several variables). And at my school it is recommended that you take complex analysis BEFORE real analysis (of several variables).

 

[al112987]

Even if... say I've never had any advanced calculus (single variable real analysis), the highest I've gone to is just your run of the mill multivariable course, and then an ODE/Linear Algebra course)

(Although this is an undergraduate course, I was just wondering because real analysis comes before this one in the course listings)

 

[ElisaBailey]

take complex first. moving from ODE to complex isn't a big gap... real analysis is actually kind of crazy. i don't know why your school lists the two topics in reverse order... maybe talk to the course admin as well, in case the courses are diff for your school.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Upper-level math at UNC is freakin' impossible no matter when you take it or how much background you have. From what I hear, the analysis courses are in the top 10 of the hardest ones offered at the school. Good luck!

 

[ShyRem]

I enjoyed complex analysis immensely and took it before real analysis. Lemme tell you: real analysis was a KILLER.

But to answer your question, you don't need real for complex. And if you should take pchem, complex analysis will make pchem a freakin' breeze. Seriously.

 

[physicsnerd42]

I'm not actually sure where to ask this, but I guess this would be the best place? Regardless, I'm sure there are math/compsci/physics majors here so I will just go ahead and ask.

Is a course in real analysis necessary to do well in complex analysis? I'm planning on taking an undergraduate complex analysis course next semester and the only listed pre-req is an introductory ODE/Linear Algebra course.

Would it be a bad idea not to have real analysis first?

Taking complex first is fine (and probably even preferred).

 

[al112987]

I enjoyed complex analysis immensely and took it before real analysis. Lemme tell you: real analysis was a KILLER.

But to answer your question, you don't need real for complex. And if you should take pchem, complex analysis will make pchem a freakin' breeze. Seriously.

Yeah thats hopefully what I figured, we learned some basic applications of complex numbers in ODEs for solving difficult calculus problems and ODEs. I'm in first semester pchem right now, which is just thermodynamics, kinetics, etc, but I had some qualms about taking the quantum half without a better grasp of math, and yeah, was told such a course would be great for me to take.

Anywhoo, thanks everyone for the advice on the matter.

 

[lex]

I'm not actually sure where to ask this, but I guess this would be the best place? Regardless, I'm sure there are math/compsci/physics majors here so I will just go ahead and ask.

Is a course in real analysis necessary to do well in complex analysis? I'm planning on taking an undergraduate complex analysis course next semester and the only listed pre-req is an introductory ODE/Linear Algebra course.

Would it be a bad idea not to have real analysis first?

Do Complex before Real.
But make sure you do Linear before Complex. ODE will definitely help.

 

[EpiPEN]

👍 to all the pre-meds who actually know math!

 

[BlueCow]

I took Complex Analysis and Real Analysis at the same time during my first year transfer to the university. Got an A on Complex Analysis. I dropped the Real Analysis because it was very hard and it was way above my head. In my last year I retook the Real Analysis and got a B and it was still hard. In Real Analysis you need to be very comfortable with doing proof.

 

[Blade28]

I found complex analysis to be a good foundation for real analysis.