<p>I'm a second year Computer Science major, minoring in finance.</p>
<p>I was looking at the requirements for a math minor and I would only need to take 3 more classes, so I have plenty of room for it [I'd need Matrix Algebria, (Calculus of Several Variables OR Calc for the Physical Sciences), and a math elective.]</p>
<p>But I'm also 3 classes away from an archaeology minor, which interests me a bit more. And CS/Math/Finance makes my studies look pretty lopsided (or redundant), whereas I actually came into college as a history major...</p>
<p>Would a math minor be worthwhile in this situation?</p>
<p>Stay another semester and finish both minors. Enjoy college life while it last. Don’t rush to get out as you see the job market has not recover yet. You will have a sense of acomplishment later, trust me.</p>
<p>The problem isn’t really being able to finish on time…I should be able to finish my major and two minors in my 4 years with no problem (and still have room to study abroad).</p>
<p>The issue is more that my school only lets you have two minors. I’m pretty set on finance as one of the minors, but then I have to chose my second minor from archaeology or math.</p>
<p>A bunch of people have told me to go with math because its shows good quantitative skills, but if I already have CompSci & Finance, is adding math to the mix a little redundant (CompSci+Finance+Math)? </p>
<p>In terms of what I simply like better, I’d chose ARchaeology over Math, but if a Math minor would really add something extra (and since I’m so close to it) I don’t want to throw away that opportunity.</p>
<p>I think majoring in CS would show that you’re quantitative enough for most jobs… CS Phds are recruited for very quantitative jobs (“quants”) on Wall Street, so I wouldn’t worry about not looking quantitative enough unless you’re looking for a job that strictly wants math majors</p>
<p>What is it that you want to do after college?</p>
<p>Matrix algebra and calculus of several variables are essential for some areas of computer science and most of finance. If you want a quantitative job, you should take both courses regardless of whether you are granted a minor for it.</p>
<p>Calculus of Several Variables (I’ve never actually seen it called that before) = multivariable calc = multivariate calc = Calc 3</p>
<p>“Several” = “Multi”</p>
<p>And honestly, by “several”, it really only means 3 variables (in the broad sense). Instead of only dealing with 2-D space represented by x and y variables, you are now dealing with 3-D space represented by x, y and z…and the occasional “t” variable (parametrization).</p>
<p>Matrix Algebra can go into infinite dimensions…but my brain started to hurt when I tried to visualize that.</p>
<p>Matrix Algebra is at the heart of mathematical modeling (regression, a.k.a. least-squares). So if you plan to do any modeling (like quantitative finance) it’s good to know.</p>
<p>I know matrix algebra also has many other applications, like signal processing and various other things used in high technology (but that’s not my realm).</p>
<p>Hmm well I’ve already taken Calc 3, and “several variable calc” is a separate requirement, so I’m guessing its something else…maybe its known by a different name at other schools</p>
<p>Linear algebra (or matrix algebra) is one of the most useful math courses for CS majors, particularly if you go into scientific computing. I used to use it (along with matlab) everyday. If you go into any field that involves computationally intensive algorithms (vision, signal processing, etc) you’ll almost certainly be manipulating matrices.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, I’m surprised linear algebra and multi-variable calculus aren’t required courses in your CS program.</p>
<p>Multivariable calculus is required, “calculus of several variables” is not. (I found the course description and it is described as “Selected topics for functions of several variables involving some matrix algebra and presented at a level of rigor intermediate between that of Calculus III and higher level analysis courses”).
Matrix algebra isn’t required but most advisors strongly recommend taking it.</p>
<p>I think the answer to your question, “Is a math minor worthwhile” really depends on what you want to do when you graduate. Don’t worry so much about how it looks on your resume. Instead, you should look beyond the job interview and think about how useful the extra math background will be to you. If you’re planning on going to grad school, taking more math will probably benefit you. On the other hand, if you go and work on software for a health insurance company, or you get a job as a web developer (things that some of my former classmates are doing), those extra math minors probably won’t benefit you – at least, not immediately.</p>
<p>At the very least, you should listen to your adviser and take the matrix algebra class because it’s useful in many areas of computer science and engineering in general.</p>
<p>If Archeology interests you by all means take the courses in it but I wonder what the point of earning a minor it would be. A minor in Math would probably improve your employability in CS and Finance but I am not sure an undergraduate minor in Archeology would enhance your prospects of finding a position in Archeology. If an opportunity in Archeology presents itself I think they would be more interested in what courses you have taken and if you learned the archeology related skills that they are in need of than whether or not it says Minor in Archeology on your diploma.</p>
<p>Precisely - archaeology would add nothing, haha. I’m not actually interested in pursuing archaeology (although I might do field school one summer), it was more the idea that I would add either an Archaeology, History or English minor to balance things out…my mom really thinks I should do an English/History minor because it would help me to stand out from other CS/engineering applications to a limited extent?</p>
<p>Again, I think you should look beyond the job interview. I doubt that a minor in archeology will give you an edge over other applicants in terms of getting a call back for an interview. And once you get to an in-person interview, getting an offer depends on how you come across and how well you know the technical stuff. If getting a software job at Google or Apple is your primary objective, rather than going around and collecting minors like so many merit badges, a better use of your time would be to take fewer courses and contribute to an interesting open source project.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to dissuade you from taking more Archeology course. I just think you should take them because you enjoy them, and not because they will help you get a software job, because they won’t.</p>
<p>True, I suppose I’m overthinking all this. I’ll be taking these humanities courses anyways because I enjoy them, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter in the long run which ones I take…thanks all.</p>