[larrydag]

While I agree with the progression of knowledge listed here I don't think it requires 3 years of foundation to math. If you have a basic understanding of math already you should be able to pick up the theory fairly well in a couple of months of research and application.

[usgroup]

I think when you get out of the basic linear algebra and calculus prerequisite and into the analysis and measure theory prerequisite nothing takes a few months anymore :)

[joker3]

You don't need much math to pick up the very basic theory, but after a certain point you're going to hit a hard wall unless you have a strong background in analysis.