The Joys of Group ...Theory!

So far, I am about half way through the M208 Unit GTA2, having completed unit 1, in the last 9 days.  And it's so far, so good.  I have found that Group Theory has actually felt more straight-forward, than some of the Introduction units that launched M208.  However, having read another blog, http://matrices-reloaded.blogspot.com/, I fear that Group Theory may take a turn for the complicated, later this year.

But this is just an introduction to Group Theory, rather than some heavy tomb covering the finer aspects of this vast subject, so I am hoping that it is not too problematic.

I am also possibly planning to study the level 3 course Groups and Geometry M336 in 2014, alongside an MSc mathematics module, so a thorough understanding of M208, is essential.

It is a shame, that apart from M208, it appears that M336 is the only other O.U course, that seems to cover Geometry or groups, in any real depth (apart from the MSc Dissertation, that covers some geometry).  So I feel that it is probably important that I have a go at M336; in order for me to have a more rounded mathematical field of view, before I decide to specialise further, beyond the MSc.

Having said all that, I have found the first two books of Group Theory in M208 a little bit, dare I say it, dull, and not very intellectually stimulating.  But on reading ahead, it does seem to pick up a bit, in the next two books.  Here's hoping so.