A G U I D E F O R T H E A U T O D I D A C T I C M AT H E M AT I C I A N

Contents

I The Wannabe Mathematician 5

Introduction 7

The pedagogic philosophy – Concrete To Abstract 9

Foundation 11
Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Dependency Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Stochastic Excursions 17
Probability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Random Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Algebra, Analysis & Geometry 21

Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Algebra For Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Algebraic Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
 Part I

The Wannabe
Mathematician
Introduction

“I try all things, I achieve

what I can.”

-Herman Merville, Moby

Dick

This is a guide for the perennial reader of math. Since math is

not a spectator sport, the guide assumes the reader (including the
creator of the document!) is sincere enough to “walk the walk”.
Self studying math has been an interest of mine since I graduated
with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. However, it is only recently
that I have started to feel the need to make this interest a hobby.
A hobby, though, needs a dedicated effort; and this document may
serve as a testimony towards an earnest change.
So what is this document about? What follows is a collection of
information for self-studying mathematics at the university level that
are to be referred as courses from here on. The mathematician in
the title is emphasized to mean a knowledgeable person of math; and
by no means refers to a professional mathematician. Most universi-
ties classify three main areas of mathematical study as 1) Algebra,
2) Analysis and, 3) Geometry. This demarcation is what I refer to
as foundation that any self-respecting and sophisticated engineer
ought to master. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all foundational
courses are pitched at an undergraduate level; but there is a gradual
increase of abstraction where concrete ideas are introduced before
delving into the abstractions. Doing things multiple times is not a
sin in mathematics! The course description marked in red indicates
courses that are typically taught at a first year graduate level. Some
long courses are broken down into sub-courses. Only 7 out of the
total 22 foundational courses will be at the first year graduate level.
Two foundational courses AA−0∗ and G−0∗ are optional (but highly
recommended) and meant to provide motivation.
The minimal assumption here is that the reader has taken a basic
calculus sequence (single and multivariable, for e.g. from Single &
Multi variable Calculus by Stewart) and a basic linear algebra course
(for e.g. from Introduction to Linear Algebra, 5th ed. by Strang). I
also provide a self-study course path to study stochastic methods
that draw on all three foundational courses and can be considered
a fourth branch of mathematics as they have found enormous appli-
cations in other areas of mathematics as well as theoretical physics,
8

computer science and engineering. The three courses P-1, S-1 and
RP-1 can be (and probably should be) completed along with the
Foundational courses. If theoretical physics is the goal, then all foun-
dational courses and stochastic courses should be completed.
I then come back to the foundational course, but this time putting
them in their abstract setting. These courses are typically taken
during the first two years in graduate school.
Before explaining the courses in detail, I want to make some
comments about mathematical problem solving. It is impossible (save
for those beautiful minds) to self-study math meaningfully without
any training in problem solving. For many, like me, a useful way to
follow these courses would include some independent and probably
concurrent reading about problem solving. A few good books that
discuss the general techniques to approach mathematical ideas are

• Thinking Mathematically by Mason, Burton and Stacey,

• How to prove it by Velleman,

• How to solve it by Poyla.

To recommend practicing proof techniques learned by reading the

books above, the following course can be followed

• Orientation To Abstract Mathematics: Main textbooks –

Geometry by Moise & Downs and Number, Shape & Symmetry
by Herrmann & Sally: Chapters 0 − 14 and AoPS Introduction to
Counting & Intermediate Counting.1
,1 ,This course section (sometimes
Supplement textbooks – Math For Computer Science (MIT): Parts
known as discrete math) introduces
I-III, Art & Craft of Problems solving by P Zeitz and When Less is us to the habit of understanding
More - Visualizing Basic Inequalities. We can also use Problem Solving proofs in mathematics and develops
basic problem solving skills while in-
Through Problems by Larson. troducing us to the basics of number
theory, symmetry and geometry.
Each course is broken down into distinct parts to help organize
self study. The main textbook(s) is(are) highlighted in blue. In most
cases, supplement textbooks aid the learning of that course and are
highly recommended. These books are highlighted in magenta. I
have also listed alternate textbooks, highlighted in red, pitched at
a lower level that the reader can use instead of the main textbooks.
A dependency chart shows the prerequisites for each course. The
gradual flow from concrete towards abstract is done to develop the
most wanted skill in mathematics: mathematical maturity.
The pedagogic philosophy – Concrete To Abstract
Foundation

“. . . Once the scaffolding is

solidly in place, it is not hard
to build up higher, but it is
impossible to build a layer
before the previous layers are
in place.”

-William Thurston, Fields

Medalist

Elem.
Algebraic
Topology
Elem.
Diff.
Topology
Elem.
Diff.
Geometry

Geometry
Finite
dim.
vector
spaces

Algebra
Abstract
Foundation Algebra

Princ.
of.
Math.
Analysis Analysis

Real &
complex
Analysis
12

Analysis
The foundational analysis courses are titled Principle of Mathemati-
cal Analysis (abbreviated by PMA) and Real and Complex Analysis
(abbreviated by RCA) in honor of the influential books of the same
name by Rudin. The goal is to understand the right setting for cal-
culus and generalize the fundamental properties of real and complex
valued functions. We start with PMA−1 where we study the three
crucial ideas that make calculus work – the notions of closeness, lin-
ear approximation and content. In PMA−2 we learn the abstract
setting of each of these notions. In PMA−3 we study differential
equations. Textbooks – The books Multivariable Mathematics by Shifrin
(MM), Vector Calculus by Marsden & Tromba (M&T) & Vector calculus
by Hubbard & Hubbard (VC) will be referred throughout this section for
a wealth of problems and illustrations pitched at a lower level. Our main ,2 ,Two excellent alternate texts are
Understanding Analysis by Abbott &
textbooks will be – Analysis on Manifolds by Munkres (AoM) & Functions
Elementary Analysis: The Theory of
of Several Variables by Fleming (FoSV). 2 Calculus by Ross.
,3 ,Optional Textbooks for sup-
1. PMA plementing sections in Rudin –
Topology by Munkres, 2nd edition:
• PMA-1 Mathematical Analysis: Main textbooks – Calculus Chapter 1 (for foundation), Intro-
by Spivak & Principles of Mathematical Analysis by Rudin: duction To Topology by Gamelin &
Greene: Chapters 1 − 1.6 (for metric
Chapter 1 − 9.3 spaces), Advanced Calculus of Sev-
eral Variables by Edwards: Chapters
• PMA-2 Abstract Spaces:
1 − 2.3, 3 (for differentiation), First
(a) Topological Spaces – Abstracting Closeness: Main Steps In Differential Geometry by
Mclnerney: Chapter 3 (for Tangent
textbook –Topology by Munkres, 2nd edition: Chapter 2 − Spaces), Real Mathematical Anal-
4.4 ysis by Pugh: Chapter 5.1 − 5.6
(for Rank Theorem) & AoM: Secs
(b) Normed Linear Spaces – Abstracting Linear Ap- 8 − 14, 17 − 18 (for integration). We
proximation: Main textbooks – Advanced Calculus by will also refer to FoSV: 1.2,3-4 for
some notation.
Loomis & Sternberg: Chapters 3.1 − 3.11,4.8 − 4.10 (AC).5
(c) Measure Spaces – Abstracting Integration: Main
textbooks – Real Analysis by Stein & Shakarchi: Chapters ,4 ,A good alternate text is Intro-
1 − 3.1. We then complete the change of variables FoSV: duction to Topology by Adams &
Franzos: Chapters 1 − 7.
Chapters 5.6 − 5.9. Finally, we get our first look at integra-
tion in Manifolds AoM: Chapter 5. 6 ,5 ,We will supplement AC with
• PMA-3 Vector Calculus. M375T (utexas) notes by Dan Freed
for affine spaces.
(a) Introductory Differential Equations: Main textbook – ,6 ,The first 40 pages of An Introduc-
Differential Equations by Hirsch, Smale & Devaney: Chap- tion to Measure Theory by Tao is a
good book to understand the prob-
ters 1 − 10, 17. lem of integration. Alternate text –
(b) Story in R3 : M & T: Chapters 7.6 − 8 & Divergence, Lebesgue integration on Euclidean
Spaces by Jones: Chapters 1 − 9.
grad, curl & all that by Schey.
(c) Differential Forms & Vector Analysis in Rn : Vector
Analysis by Janich: Chapters 1 − 10. 7
,7 ,The book Differential Forms:
Theory and Practice by Weintraub
introduces differential forms in the
setting of vector calculus in Rn and
is a great book that axiomatically
approaches differential forms and
makes it easier to understand com-
putations with it. The book A visual
introduction to Differential Forms by
Fortney offers great visualization.
 a guide for the autodidactic mathematician 13

2. RCA

• RCA-1 Complex Analysis: Main textbook – Complex analy-

sis by Stein & Shakarchi: Chapters 1 − 3, 5, 6, 8.
Supplement textbooks – The book Complex Analysis by Gamelin:
Chapters 1 − 11.2 will be our main supplement while the book Com- ,8 ,The books Visual Complex Func-
tions by Wegert and Visual Complex
plex Variables by Flanigan provides a gentle motivation and excellent
Analysis by Needham: Chapters
big picture for complex analysis and could be read before reading 1 − 5, 8 − 9 provide excellent geomet-
sections in Stein & Shakarchi.8 ric motivation. Also recommended
are the video lectures by Richard
• RCA-2 Fourier Analysis: Main textbook – Fourier Analysis Borcherds in YouTube.
by Stein & Shakarchi: Chapters 1 − 7 & Real Analysis by Stein
& Shakarchi: Chapters 3.2, 4 − 5.9
,9 ,A course in PDEs with the book
Supplement textbook – A Guide to Distribution Theory and Fourier
Partial Differential Equations by
Transforms by Strichartz. Other books that may come in handy are Strauss: Chapters 1 − 7, 9 − 10, 12
– Lectures on the Fourier Transform and Its Applications by Osgood: can be read along and will motivate
Chapters 1 − 7, 9; Complex analysis by Stein & Shakarchi: Chapter our study of Fourier analysis. Along
the way we also want to understand
4 and Lebesgue integration on Euclidean Spaces by Jones: Chapters the important topics of Distributions
10 − 14. and Sobolev spaces from Strichartz.

• RCA-3 Functional Analysis: This course will be in two

parts. The first part will be understanding inequalities, for
which we will use The Cauchy-Schwarz Master Class by Steele
and Linear Algebra & its Applications by Lax: Chapters 8 −
10, 12 − 13 (for matrix inequalities).
The second part will be a concrete introduction to Functional
Analysis for which we will use Principles of Functional Analysis ,10 ,We emphasize developing intu-
ition for inequalities and will spend
by Schechter. 10
a lot of time with our main books on
Supplement textbooks – Analysis by Leib & Loss: Chapters 2 − 4 and inequalities. We then complete a well
motivated introduction to functional
Introductory Functional Analysis by Kreyszig.
analysis with the book by Schechter.
• RCA-4 Measure Theory: Main textbooks – A Ramble
,11 ,Sec 2.1 in Tao (IMT) should be
Through Probability: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and followed religiously as it introduces
Love Measure Theory by Don Estep: Parts II,III & Functional us to problem solving strategies in
analysis.
analysis by Stein & Shakarchi: Chapters 1 − 3. 11
Supplement textbooks – An Introduction to Measure Theory by Tao
(IMT) and Real Analysis by Stein & Shakarchi: Chapters 3.3, 6 − 7.
14

Algebra
The foundational algebra courses are designed to understand algebra
at a fundamental level.

1. Algebra

(a) AA-1 Finite Dimensional Vector Spaces Main textbook

– Linear Algebra by Hoffman & Kunze.
Supplement textbooks – Linear Algebra by Friedberg, Insel & Spence,
Advanced Linear Algebra by Roman: Chapters 3.1 − 3.4, 14 for ten-
sors and Further Linear Algebra by Blyth & Robertson Chapter 7 for
duality in inner product space and Chapter 5 for Jordan Forms.12 ,12 ,A very popular alternate text-
book is Linear Algebra done right by
(b) AA-2 Algebraic Structures: Groups, Rings & Modules Axler (3rd edition).
Main textbook – Algebra by Mac Lane & Birkhoff: Chapters
1.11, 2 − 5, 9.7 − 9.11, 11.
Supplement textbooks – Our main supplements will be Algebra by
Artin (Second ed.): Chapter 2 and Algebra, Notes From The Under-
ground by Aluffi: Chapters 1 − 10. We will also refer to the books
Groups & Symmetry by Armstrong & Abstract Algebra by Dummit &
Foote: Chapters 1 − 3.3, 4.1 − 4.4, 7 − 10.13 ,13 ,An alternative route will be to
complete the book Rings, Modules
(c) AA-3 Groups & Symmetry Main textbooks – Algebra & Linear Algebra by Hartley &
by Artin (Second ed.): Chapters 5 − 10 & Matrix Groups for Hawkes: Chapters 1 − 8, 9, 11 which
gently introduces the ideas of rings,
Undergraduates by Tapp: Chapters 1 − 4 (for matrix groups). modules and canonical forms over
Supplement textbook – Groups & Symmetry by Armstrong & Rep- these rings.

resentation & Characters of Groups by James & Liebeck: Chapters

3 − 23.

(d) AA-4 Fields & Galois Theory: Main textbook – A Book

of Abstract Algebra by Pinter: Chapters 27 − 33.
This will be a very gentle and short introduction to Galois Theory.
Supplement textbooks – Algebra, Notes From The Underground by
Aluffi: Chapters 13 − 15.

The lecture videos by Benedict

Gross follow Artin and can be
profitably viewed.
 a guide for the autodidactic mathematician 15

Geometry
The foundational geometry courses are titled Elementary Differential
Geometry, Elementary Algebraic Topology, Elementary Differen-
tial Topology and Elementary Algebraic Geometry. The goal is to
understand geometry at a fundamental level. This course requires
the completion of all of PMA, Vector Calculus along with Algebra
courses – FDVS and AA-1a. It will be beneficial to complete RCA-1
(complex analysis).

1. G-0∗ Geometry: Main textbooks – The books Geometry &

Topology by Reid: Chapters 1 − 9 & The four pillars of Geometry
by Stillwell. 14 ,14 ,This optional course is not a
requirement, but it does provide
Supplement textbooks – Geometry by Brannan, Esplen & Gray for the motivation for a serious study of ge-
study of geometry based on the concept of a space and a set of trans- ometry. After finishing Stillwell, the
books From Geometry To Topology
formations (encoded by Group Actions). The book Geometry: A Metric by Flegg and Euler’s Gem by Riche-
Approach with Models by Millman & Parker is a good alternative. son can be read as bedtime reading
while we start the following courses.
2. G-1 Elementary Differential Geometry: Main textbooks –
Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces by K. Tapp. ,15 ,Some good alternate sources for
this course are Elementary Differen-
Supplement textbook – Elements of Differential Geometry by Millman
tial Geometry by O’Neill and M375T
& Parker. Chapter 7 in Millman & Parker links the geometry of curves (utexas) notes by Dan Freed.
and surfaces to manifolds in higher dimension.15

3. G-2 Elementary Algebraic Topology : Main textbooks – ,16 ,The goal of this course is to
introduce two important ideas in
A Combinatorial Introduction to Topology by Henle & Basic
algebraic topology – homotopy &
Topology by Armstrong: Chapters 4 − 8.16 homology.

Supplement textbooks – Algebraic Topology by Fulton: Chapters 1 − 18

will be our main supplement. The book Topology by Munkres: Chapter
9 will be used for the fundamental group. We will refer to the book
Topology by Janich for excellent big picture overview and motivation.17
,17 ,The book Topology illustrated
4. G-3 Elementary Differential Toplogy Main textbooks – Dif- by Saveliev: Parts 3 − 5 will give us
ferential Topology by Guillemin & Pollack: Chapters 1 − 3. ample illustrations. The Shape of
Space by Weeks will provide great
To understand tangent spaces better, we can also read sections 2.3 − 3.4 bedtime reading!
in Modern Differential Geometry for Physicists by Isham.

5. G-4 Elementary Algebraic Geometry: Main textbooks –

Ideals, Varieties, & Algorithms by Cox et. al. and Introduction to
Algebraic Geometry by J. Smith.18
,18 ,These books include the neces-
sary commutative algebra.
16

Dependency Chart

Foundation: Analysis, Algebra & Geometry

PMA-1
Basic Analysis on The Real Line

PMA

PMA-2
Principles of Topological & Metric Spaces
Mathematical Analysis
RCA-2
PMA-3 RCA-1
Functions of Several Variables Complex Analysis Fourier
Analysis

RCA-3
FDVS
Functional
Finite Dimensional Analysis
Vector Spaces

AA-1a
RCA-4
Groups & Rings
RCA Measure Theory

Real & Complex

A

Analysis
Algebra

G-1
Geometry
Elementary Differential
Geometry

G-2 G-3 G-4

Elementary Algebraic Elementary Differential Elementary Algebraic
Topology Topology Geometry
Stochastic Excursions

“When a coin is tossed, it

does not necessarily fall heads
or tails; it can roll away or
stand on its edge.”

- William Feller, Probability

Theorist

Measure
Intro Theo-
Prob. retic
Prob.

Probability

Stat.
Inference

Stochastic
Excursions Math.
Stats
Statistics

Intro
Stochastic
Process

Random
Process

Martingale
Theory

Brownian
Motion
18

Probability
The foundational courses are titled Introduction to Probability (P-
1) and Measure Theoretic Foundations (P-2). These courses will
introduce probability as a mathematical subject.

1. P-1. Introduction to Probability: The main textbook is The-

ory of Probability by Venkatesh: Part A.
Supplement textbooks – Introduction to Probability by Feller, vol 1:
Chapters 1 − 2, 4 − 11 and Introduction to Probability by Blitzstein &
Hwang.

2. P-2. Measure Theoretic Foundations: The main textbooks

are Theory of Probability by Venkatesh: Part B and A Ramble
Through Probability: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love ,19 ,Alternate books: A Probability
Measure Theory by Don Estep: Part 4. Path by Resnick: Chapters 1 − 9
and A second course in Probability
Supplement textbooks – Probability Theory - Lecture Notes by S.R.S by Ross & Pekoz: Chapters 1 − 4.
Varadhan: Chapters 1 − 4 and A Basic Course in Measure and Proba- These two books will allow for a
past paced introduction to theoretical
bility by Leadbetter et. al.: Chapters 8, 12. 19 probability and will be useful if the
relevant prerequisites in Analysis
(RCA-3) are not completed.
 a guide for the autodidactic mathematician 19

Statistics
The foundational courses are titled Statistical Inference (S-1), Math-
ematical Statistics (S-2) and Data Analysis (S-3). These courses will
lay the theoretical foundation for statistics. It will be highly benefi-
cial to have a basic grounding in statistics. The best book for this,
by far, is Statistics by Freedman, Pisani & Purves.

1. S-1. Statistical Inference: The main textbooks for inference is

Statistical Inference by Casella & Berger (2nd edition): Chapters
5 − 10. For Statistical Models we will use The Truth About Re-
gression by Shalizi and Applied Regression & Multilevel Models
by Gelman.
Supplement textbooks – We will use An intermediate course in Prob-
ability by Gut: Chapters 1 − 6 for a quick revision of the probability
concepts. The books All of statistics by Wasserman: Chapters 4 − 12
and Probability & Statistics by DeGroot & Schervish (4th ed): Chapters
5 − 10 will provide a different perspective.

2. S-2. Mathematical Statistics: The main textbook is Mathe-

matical Statistics by Bickell & Docksum, vol. 1.
Supplement textbook – Theoretical Statistics by Keener: Chapter 1 − 12.

3. S-3. Data Analysis: Main textbooks – Advanced Data Analysis

by Shalizi and Bayesian Data Analysis by Gelman.
20

Random Process
The foundational courses are titled Introductory Stochastic Pro-
cesses (RP-1), Martingale Theory (RP-2) and brown Motion &
Stochastic Calculus (RP-3).

1. RP-1. Introductory Stochastic Processes: The main text-

book will be Adventures in Stochastic Processes by Resnick:
Chapters 1 − 5.
Supplement textbooks – Introduction to Probability by Feller, vol 1:
Chapters 3, 12 − 17.

2. RP-2. Martingale Theory: Main textbooks - Basic Stochastic

Process by Brzezniak & Zastawniak: Chapters 2 − 4, Measure,
Integral and Martingales by Schilling (2nd edition): Chapters
20, 22 − 27 and Convergence of Probability Measures by Billings-
ley: Chapters 2 − 4.
We will start with Brzezniak & Zastawniak. After that, the book by
Schilling will firmly lay the theoretical foundations of Martingales. The
books Probability with Martingales by Williams: Part B and Probability
Theory - Lecture Notes by S.R.S Varadhan: Chapter 5 will provide good
concurrent reading for this section and may be used instead of Schilling.
We then will revisit convergence of measures in the context of metric
spaces using the book Billingsley.

3. RP-3. Brownian Motion & Stochastic Calculus: Main

textbooks - The book Basic Stochastic Process by Brzezniak &
Zastawniak: Chapters 6, 7 and Browinian Motion by Schilling &
Partzsch: Basic Stochastic Calculus path (chapters denoted by
path C in the book). 20 ,20 ,It will be beneficial to have
completed all RCA courses in the
Supplement books – Stochastic Process - Lecture Notes by S.R.S Varad- Foundation series before taking this
han and Diffusion, Markov Processes & Martingales by Rogers & course.
Williams: vol 1. 21 ,21 ,Some good alternate textbooks
are Brownian Motion, Martingales,
and Stochastic Calculus by Gall:
Chapters 1 − 6 and Brownian Motion
by Morters & Peres.
Algebra, Analysis & Geometry

“Beauty is the first test:

there is no permanent place
in the world for ugly
mathematics.”

– G.H. Hardy, English

Mathematician

“The art of doing

mathematics consists in
finding that special case
which contains all the germs
of generality.”

– D. Hilbert, Father of
Modern Mathematics

These topics form the graduate core courses in mathematics and

are typically covered in the first two years of graduate school. The
basic assumption here is that all the foundation courses are com-
pleted and hence each section is completely independent of the oth-
ers in terms of pre-requisites. Readers can pick and choose areas to
study rather than following a strict order. IF theoretical physics is
the goal, then one should refer to all of Analysis and complete AL-3
and GE-3.
22

Analysis
1. A-1 Real & Functional Analysis: Main textbooks – Func-
tional Analysis by Reed & Simon, vol .1 and Real Analysis by
Folland: Chapters 4 − 9.
Supplement textbook – Analysis by Leib & Loss: Chapters 1 − 11, Real
& Functional Analysis by Lang: Parts 3 − 6 and An Epsilon of Room,
vol.1 by Tao: Chapter 1. After Chapter 4 in Reed & Simon we can
refer to Parts 3 − 4 in Lang for a more general version of integration. ,22 ,The book Introduction to Topol-
ogy and Modern Analysis by Sim-
We then will complete the rest from Reed & Simon. Part 6 in Lang
mons: Parts 2 − 3 provides good
requires all of G-3 in the Foundation courses.22 motivation to study operator alge-
bra. The book Linear and nonlinear
2. A-2 Partial Differential Equations - I. The main textbook functional analysis by Ciarlet con-
tains a wealth of applications and
will be Partial Differential Equations by Evans: Parts 1 − 2.
connections to different areas of
Supplement textbooks – The books Partial Differential Equations in mathematics and should be kept as
a handy reference. Other books at
Action by Salsa and An introduction to Partial Differential Equations a similar level are Functional Anal-
by Renardy & Rogers will smooth some of the thorny sections in Evans. ysis by Rudin, Functional Analysis
by Lax and Analysis for Applied
3. A-3 Partial Differential Equations - II. The main textbook Mathematics by Cheney.

will be Partial Differential Equations by Evans: Part 3.

Supplement textbooks – The books Partial Differential Equations in
Action by Salsa and An introduction to Partial Differential Equations
by Renardy & Rogers.
 a guide for the autodidactic mathematician 23

Algebra
1. AL-1 Foundations: Main textbooks – This course is founda-
tional and comprises of two parts. The first part is category the-
ory for which we will use Basic Category Theory by Leinster. For ,23 ,Since we are not giving a Quali-
fying Exam we can pause our study
the second part (Groups, Rings & Modules) we will use Algebra:
after Groups and read the fabulous
Chapter 0 by Aluffi: Chapters 1 − 5. 23 book The Symmetries of Things
by Conway, Burgiel & Goodman-
Supplement textbooks – The book Algebra by Lang: Chapters 1 − 4 will Strauss: Parts 1 − 2.
be our main supplement and in fact will serve as our second textbook.
The excellent companion notes A Companion to Lang’s Algebra by
George M. Bergman will help us understand Lang better.

2. AL-2 Fields & Linear Algebra: Main textbook – Algebra:

Chapter 0 by Aluffi: Chapters 6 − 8.
Supplement books – Algebra by Lang: Chapters 5 − 6, Part 3 and A
Companion to Lang’s Algebra by George M. Bergman. For Galois
Theory we can instead use Galois Theory (4th ed.) by Stewart.

Algebra For Others

1. AL-3. Representation Theory: Main textbook – Lie Groups,
Lie Algebras, and Representations by Hall: Parts 1 − 2.
Supplement textbook – Representation Theory by Fulton & Harris:
Parts 1 − 2.

2. AL-4 Commutative Algebra: Main textbook – Introduction to

Commutative Algebra by Atiyah & McDonald.
Supplement textbooks – Undergraduate Commutative Algebra by Reid
and Commutative Algebra With a View Towards Algebraic Geometry by
Eisenbud.
24

Geometry
1. GE-0 Topology: Main textbook – Introduction To Topological
Manifolds by Lee: Chapters 1 − 12.
Supplement textbook – Topology by Munkres: Chapters 5 − 8, 10 − 11.

2. GE-1 Algebraic Topology: Main textbook – Elements of Alge- ,24 ,To get a good motivation for
this subject, it will be worthwhile to
braic Topology by Munkres: Chapter 1, Secs 14, 15, 20, Chapters
have the book Algebraic Topology by
3 − 7 (Omitting Optional Sections).24 Fulton nearby.

Supplement textbooks – Visual Geometry and Topology by Fomenko

&Tsaplina, A Basic Course in Algebraic Topology by Massey and Topol-
ogy & Geometry by Bredon.25
,25 ,A popular alternate text is
3. GE-2 Differential Topology: Main textbook – A comprehensive Algebraic Topology by Hatcher:
introduction to Differential Geometry Vol 1 by Spivak. Chapters 0 − 3.

Supplement textbooks – Introduction to Smooth Manifolds by Lee: Chap-

ters 1 − 18 & Differential Topology by Hirsch: Chapters 1 − 7.

4. GE-3 Differential Geometry: Main textbooks – A comprehen-

sive introduction to Differential Geometry Vol 2 by Spivak.
Supplement textbooks – Differential Geometry by Tu, Introduction to
Riemannian Manifolds by Lee. For a lot of geometrical motivation we
will use the books Visual Differential Geometry and Forms: A Math-
ematical Drama in Five Acts by Needham and Applied Differential
Geometry by Burke.
 a guide for the autodidactic mathematician 25

Algebraic Geometry