First week update

It's been a while since my last post and not a word yet about classes.  This week was the first of three shopping weeks, but I think I've figured out what my schedule will look like:

Topology
Theory of Computation
Conjecture and Proof
Masters of European Film

I may end up taking Mathematical Logic, but haven't been to a class yet.  It only meets once a week, and the first meeting conflicted with Film.  The class has been rescheduled to Monday mornings, however, so I'll be able to attend.  I've heard from others this class is less interesting than the Advanced Theory in Paint Drying seminar, but I think the subject is intriguing -- I'll have to see firsthand.

Topology seems good so far.  Very rigorous and ground-up style math.  I sat in on a day of Advanced Abstract Algebra, but the professor seemed boring, and nothing really jumped out at me.  As much as I enjoyed Abstract Algebra, this second level will have to wait for another time.  Theory of Computation, to my delight, is actually one of my favorites:  the prof and the material both are engaging.  We've been working with finite automata for the first two classes.  They remind me a lot of the Markov chain models we saw in Math Modeling.

Conjecture and Proof is a bit hard to sum up -- a lot like a course in competition-style math.  The lectures haven't taken any direct course yet; I think it will most likely follow a potpourri of topics.  The weekly problem sets are meaty, tough, and engaging, so that is a big plus.  The prof says not to share the problems online, though, so as to not spoil the delight of fresh problems for future students.  If I violate this omerta, I'll have a Hungarian headhunter named Laci (pronounced LAT-see) on my tracks.  I suppose I'm allowed to disclose the topics, at least:  this week, two proofs of irrationality, one analysis/function proof, one domino/chessboard proof, and one problem about kids and chocolate.  The professor notes on our problem sheet: "(This is a sad problem.)" as the kids just pass the chocolate around the table rather than eat it.

The film course seems good.  It's focus is analysis of early-to-mid-20th century film, so a lot of the material is black-and-white (and some silents).  Not exactly my favorite type, but I'm interested in film analysis and a classical basis of knowledge is never a bad one.