Honors Math B · Mathematics
A total of 9 problem sets throughout the semester. Most of them take around 20 hours to finish if you are doing most of the problems on your own, though many students (if not most) do not. She usually includes a very long bonus question (related to the material but will not be on the test) on each problem set. Two lowest assignments are dropped. Final grade = 0.2HW + max (0.3M + 0.5 F, 0.8F).
Weekly problem sets ranging from anywhere between 4 and 20 problems each. Be prepared to spend a good amount of time on homework, and make a study group. Two midterms and a final. Midterm format changes each time and varies drastically in difficulty, but expect to know everything presented to the point that you can recite them in 40 or so pages of math.
Like the other reviewer, I took the both semesters of this class online, given the COVID-19 pandemic. For context, this was my first time taking a proof-based math class, and I had zero prior exposure to both linear algebra and multivariable calculus. I'd had nothing like that in high school (just the necessary scores to get into this class) and thought this would be a way for me to pressure-test whether or not I wanted to, or even could, be a math major. Overall, I think Warner was a solid professor, though (at least in my case) it was definitely worth it to take this class. For someone with my background (i.e. not very much), I could roughly follow what was going on in most lectures but needed to dedicate a substantial amount of time to develop more intuition. I dedicated a lot of time each weekend, especially in Honors A and the first few weeks of Honors B when I was still getting used to proof-writing and lin alg, in asking questions in class/office hours/via email to Warner (who makes himself SUPER accessible - literally I've sent him like 6 emails at one point and he always replied), reaching out to and discussing proofs with my more experienced and knowledgeable classmates, and just thinking very hard to make sure I understood the theorems from lecture and the HW readings and really made my best effort to get a perfect score on every pset. Like one past reviewer said, t…
Honors Math B is significantly more challenging than Honors Math A, as it covers various topics including analysis, topology, differential manifolds, and multivariable calculus. Professor Boursier explained most of the materials clearly and accessibly. She also provides strong and clear insights when omitting complete proofs of some theorems after the midterm. She is also very supportive during her office hours and after class. The exams are quite fair and manageable if you do most homeworks by yourself and pay attention during lectures. The exams are also curved very generously, with the medium of at least 80. The (only major) concern for her classes is that sometimes the proof she provided is different from those in textbooks, so it’s important to attend lectures and some of her office hours if you want to know what is going on.
Having taken Gallagher for two semesters now in the Honors Math A-B sequence, my overall feelings for him are definitely very mixed. If you are looking for an easy time in an otherwise difficult class (Gallagher also teaches Modern Algebra and Modern Analysis), look no further. He prints out his own notes and doesn't need a textbook so everything you need to know is on those packets. You don't even need to go to lecture, since he just repeats everything he puts on the packets in lecture. As for grades, let's just say that last semester 75% of students got an A-range grade according to my transcript. He also gives out many A+'s. That said, if you are looking to really learn the presented material and get something out of the class, I would stay away. As a math major with a strong passion for the subject, I don't think I'll ever be taking a Gallagher class again. - He is not a good lecturer. He speaks very softly in at a volume that is probably softer than a normal person's talking voice so it's very hard to pay attention, especially when he's just repeating what's on the notes anyway. - He doesn't use a textbook. Some see this as a good thing, but as someone who learns best when given a very rigorous (albeit dense) presentation of the material, I found it hard to really learn the material through his notes. Gallagher's notation is his own which can be confusing, especially when…
Weekly homework assignments. Quite difficult. 1 midterm, generously curved. Mostly "prove the following", a few "prove or give counterexample." 1 final, generously curved. "Pick 6 of 8 questions to answer" type deal.
PSETs are interesting but can take up to 10 hours a week. The grading is heavily, but necessarily curved.
Weekly Problem Sets (20%) 2 Midterms (20% each) 1 Final (40%)
It's not an exaggeration to say Evan's class changed my life. He talks about linear algebra and multivariable calculus in a rigorous yet intuitive way. He lectures for the entire 75 minutes without stopping except for questions, providing definitions and proving theorems. The class goes fast. The material is hard. But with dedication, it's manageable even for someone like me who is mediocre at math. The class is filled with geniuses, but most of the time they're kind and willing to help their classmates. There is a strong sense of camaraderie. Get a few friends in the class to work together on homework. Taking this class with Warner will make you appreciate math in a new way if you haven't really been exposed to pure math and proofs before. This is not for an easy A. This is for a hard-earned introduction to higher mathematics through highly rigorous calculus and linear algebra.
Boursier is certainly better than her reviews would suggest. Her pace is quick and her accent can be difficult to understand sometimes, but she is highly knowledgeable and cares about her students. The course itself is extremely ambitious, covering the material of real analysis, topology, calculus 3 and 4, and introduction to differential manifolds, but ultimately with decent depth and clarity.