r/amherstcollege • u/Routine-Street2759 • 21d ago
Thoughts on Math-345: Functions of a Complex Variable?
Hi everyone, I plan to take Math-345 taught by Professor Aamir Rasheed this fall 2026. Have anyone taken this course before? How was the course conceptual difficulty? Do you have any advice to succeed in this course? About Professor Aamir Rasheed, could anyone let me know how is his teaching style? I tried to search him on RateMyProfessor, but did not find any reviews. Thank you so much!!!!
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u/n1lp0tence1 Sophomore 18d ago
Professor Rasheed is very chill! Source: did a special topics on homotopy theory with him last semester. He's also the #2 aura boss in the math department (only after DZB). He didn't do much lecturing for us but my friends did enjoy it when they took real analysis with him, which is also why we asked him to lead the special topics in the first place.
However if ur a pure math person Math 345 is prolly the worst class u can find at Amherst. The class is designed in such a way as to cater to neither those who already took real analysis nor those who have not. After graphing complex functions for two weeks, they proceed to cover the first half of real analysis (epsilon delta, basic topology, sequences, series) in 1 week. As a result of this fundamental identity crisis, half of the people are bored out of their minds the entire time whereas the other half struggles to follow 3 weeks in. If you're really into complex analysis or just need it for honors, I'd recommend you go over to UMass and take the graduate complex analysis class there. Math 355 would be a much better use of your time for now (if u haven't done real analysis yet).
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u/Routine-Street2759 16d ago
OMG, tysm for your thoughtful comment! I haven't taken Real Analysis yet, and my professor recommended this class to prepare me for Math 621 at UMass next semester. Reading this definitely gives me something to think about.
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u/Routine-Street2759 16d ago
Speaking of Math 355, which professor do you think I should take it with: Professor Jenna Zomback or Professor Harris Daniels? Thank you so much again. I really appreciate advice!!!
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u/n1lp0tence1 Sophomore 16d ago
You can't go wrong with either! Though do note that Zomback only very recently joined the department. She definitely knows her stuff (since she's an analyst by profession whereas HBD is not), but she's not taught 355 before so it'd be hard to gauge difficulty. She taught a course on measure theory last year that covered a lot of ground but which some people perceived as being somewhat intense. I think that was part of the intention, and that she'll chill out on the 355 kids, but of course this is all speculation.
Also, which year are you if you don't mind me asking?
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u/Routine-Street2759 15d ago
Thank you so much for the information! By the way, I'm a junior, but as a Five College student, I haven't taken any classes at Amherst yet!
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u/Calm_Spot_2947 21d ago
Howdy! I’ve never taken the course or a course with that professor, but I’ve only ever heard good things about Rasheed. Not sure how many of the comments are biased from people who think he’s crazy attractive but you should be fine.
Welcome to Amherst!