Which maths major!? (1 Viewer)

[MW4521]

Hey guys,
Which Mathematics major do you think more suited in the lines of things such as algebra (polynomials, logarithms, complex numbers, quadratics, indices, calculus etc.) and numbers (Surds, trigonometry etc.)

- Applied Mathematics
- Pure Mathematics
- Advanced Statistics
- Quantitative Risk

I absolutely hate the topics that you find in general maths such as probability, financial mathematics, data
but I don't mind statistics that much.

So is there a major in the list above that is in the lines of algebra and numbers (in the bold) but not so much the data and financial maths?

and also, which major will give you the most money? I'm guessing quantitative risk?

 

[Mature Lamb]

That's hard, because uni maths starts to blend in all those algebra and numbers topics you mentioned. If you hate probability and data then you WILL hate statistics (probability+data IS statistics).

In my personal opinion, offering the Quant Risk major in a Bachelor's degree is pretty stupid and probably won't land you a good job. Quantitative Risk is a pretty difficult and advanced field and thus comes with a massive salary. You will need to compete against people with PhDs for a quant job. unless you plan on doing a PhD after you graduate, i'd stay away from this major if i were you.

that leaves pure and applied maths. up to you.

 

[Carrotsticks]

Aren't you a bit young right now to be deciding your major? How uni works is that you have some 'general' maths subjects that are applicable to everything, then you start specialising around 3rd year.

But so far, you're in a bit of a mish mash between Pure Maths and Applied Maths, since both use everything you listed above.

Though really, the topics you listed aren't really topics on their own at Uni. They are used as stepping stones towards other larger topics. Hard to tell right now.

 

[Mature Lamb]

Aren't you a bit young right now to be deciding your major? How uni works is that you have some 'general' maths subjects that are applicable to everything, then you start specialising around 3rd year.

But so far, you're in a bit of a mish mash between Pure Maths and Applied Maths, since both use everything you listed above.

Though really, the topics you listed aren't really topics on their own at Uni. They are used as stepping stones towards other larger topics. Hard to tell right now.

at unsw there a few courses you MUST do in 2nd year for your major (if you don't want to spend extra time at uni) so you really have to start thinking about your major by the end of first year. but yes if you can't decide on a major right now, don't worry because everything you do in first year is common across all the majors mentioned.

 

[Mature Lamb]

e.g. if you decide on a stats or QR major you have to do higher linear models (2nd year course) which is compulsory

 

[Drongoski]

If, you're still very young, as Carrotsticks pointed out, it's premature for you to worry about those things. Concentrate on doing well in your school maths and you'll have plenty of time to worry about those things. Also the topics you listed are basic to all uni maths.

 

[Shadowdude]

Algebra and numbers... sounds like Pure Mathematics to me.

But you'll figure out what you want soon enough. I came into uni saying "Applied Maths is for me!" and now it's actually my last preference. Pure Maths is awesome.

So don't worry about it now, you'll figure out later because you have time to decide.

 

[Carrotsticks]

Algebra and numbers... sounds like Pure Mathematics to me.

But you'll figure out what you want soon enough. I came into uni saying "Applied Maths is for me!" and now it's actually my last preference. Pure Maths is awesome.

So don't worry about it now, you'll figure out later because you have time to decide.

But you just finished first year. How would you know how awesome or not-so-awesome Pure or Applied is? The maths you would have done so far would be used in both.

 

[study-freak]

Algebra and numbers... sounds like Pure Mathematics to me.

But you'll figure out what you want soon enough. I came into uni saying "Applied Maths is for me!" and now it's actually my last preference. Pure Maths is awesome.

So don't worry about it now, you'll figure out later because you have time to decide.

totally agreed, I used to despise stats thinking that it's all that boring histogram stuff (and I hated perms and combs too), but now it's my fav and I'm gonna major in it. Stats is awesome.

 

[Shadowdude]

But you just finished first year. How would you know how awesome or not-so-awesome Pure or Applied is? The maths you would have done so far would be used in both.

I knew Pure Maths was my calling when I was the only one who didn't complain about learning the nine axioms of vector spaces.

True story.

 

[Carrotsticks]

totally agreed, I used to despise stats thinking that it's all that boring histogram stuff (and I hated perms and combs too), but now it's my fav and I'm gonna major in it. Stats is awesome.

Yeah me too. When I first came in I thought 'here we go....'.

By the end of semester, I thought 'Hey, all these tests are pretty cool!' Applying them to random problems (no pun intended) and getting values within [0,1] is actually more satisfying than I thought.

 

[Shadowdude]

I hope you guys are right about statistics...

(I hope Higher Theory of Stats doesn't kill me)

 

[MW4521]

What do you guys think about quantitative risk? How do you get in? Will get you into a profession with money hehe

 

[Carrotsticks]

What do you guys think about quantitative risk? How do you get in? Will get you into a profession with money hehe

I just lost all respect for you.

 

[MW4521]

I just lost all respect for you.

which major are you doing atm?

 

[deterministic]

Its ironic as you are more likely to apply the bolded topics you listed in a statistics major rather than a pure maths major. I think the reason why you hate stats and probability at the moment is because it is not taught well in high school (just number bashing). In university, it is much more conceptual and hence more interesting.

As mentioned above, you will do a bit of each in first and second year. Then you will decide your major for third year.

Most money would probably be in stats. Don't do Quant Risk. Its a poorly attempted hybrid of maths and finance.

 

[Shadowdude]

Quant. Risk you get invited to, you don't "elect" to be in it. If you're good, go up to them and ask if you can do it - and they may say yes.

But... yeah. As we said, hold up and wait - see what you like.

 

[Bobbo1]

More info about the quantitative risk major anyone?

 

[hungwell1337]

ur all wrong

OP - accounting

monies are made when you apply scientific knowledge to business.

stats is pretty hot atm