Question:
I have always been interested in mathematics since childhood. In highschool, I had participated in a lot of math competitions, olympiadsand got a few medals too (in the regional level though, not at theinternational level). In college, however, I took Computer Sciencebecause there were more employment oppurtunities in this field and itseemed pretty close to math anyways. I also got my masters in ComputerScience too. Since 3 years, I have been working as a softwaredeveloper in one of the big software companies.
For the past few years, I had been thinking of taking up mathematicsthat I had left in high school. (It's not that I don't like computerscience, I do especially the theoretical CS and the algorithms typestuff). This time I want to learn just for the sake of learning. Iwant to learn a little bit of math everyday. It's not that I want todiscover new theorems or anything like that (that would be cool ofcourse), but I just want to keep my mind sharp and have lots of funwhile learning the queen of sciences.
Now, for a prefessional like me, what are the options to achieve theabove? One way is of course to learn by myself by buying textbooks. Iam not super interested in this option because even though I am not alazy guy, one has to be real motivated to not stray away from thispath. The second option is to take evening classes or online courses.>From the few online masters degree programs I see, most of them are in
applied mathematics. I am more of the pure mathematics kind of guy. Idon't have anything against applied mathematics, but I want to play inthe pure mathematics area because I am more interested in "thereticalmath", if you will. If not atleast general mathematics (i.e., a bitof everything). But I see absolutely no online programs for the same.You may have noticed that I mentioned masters degree. I think it is agood idea to be under a degree programs since dealines are never a badthing :) and if one is doing something he enjoys and can also get arecognition for it (in the form of a degree), one might as well take.And if it is from a well known university, much the better. However,getting the degree is lower priority than getting into a program whereI get to learn and be in touch with pure mathematics.
Those are the only two options I could think of. I can't think ofothers. Maybe a private instructor? I don't know if I can find one inmy area (Seattle). Is there any way in which I can satisfy myaspirations?
Answer:
Perhaps you can sit in on classes at a local university if your scheduleand the instructor will permit. Assuming you studied calculus incollege, you should start by learning linear algebra and multivariablecalculus if you have not already. Then you want to learn real analysisand abstract algebra, and perhaps topology, at the undergraduate level. Set theory might be nice, too. That would be a start for your furthereducation in pure mathematics. Look into logic, number theory,probability, differential equations, complex analysis, and/ordifferential geometry if you want.
If you cannot attend a course, I don't really see any alternative toreading on your own. Hire a private tutor to help you out at times. Infact, maybe you can use a tutor as a motivator, as some use a personaltrainer. Also, there are many people on this newsgroup who will bewilling to lend you a hand as long as you let us know that you are notjust looking for someone to do your homework.
