<p>The program at my school allows many elective hours for an "emphasis" area such as
statistics, acturial science, economics, and biological. I am most interested in Statistics, but I do not know if this option is best for me or if I could just do a pure math major and go into statistics for graduate school? I am very intersted in probability/statistics, but I also just enjoy math in general.</p>
<p>I’m not quite understanding your question. If we’re talking high school “hours”, it doesn’t really matter what you pick (whatever you see won’t be more than a very quick overview). If you’re already in a pure math program in university but want to do statistics for graduate school, then, yes, taking a few courses in statistics is definitely a good thing.</p>
<p>Ok, I will rephrase it. I am currently in university and a freshman engineering major, but I would like to switch majors to applied math since I feel it gives much more flexibility in the curriculum than does engineering. The applied math curriculum allows you to concentrate elective hours in specific areas example: Statistics. I have taken an AP Statistics course in high school which gave like you said a very qucik overview of statistics, however unfortunately in a non calculus based setting. </p>
<p>My question is: is statistics a good way to go as far as careers? Would it be better to go into pure math with some stats elective then hit statistics grad school? I know this is an area of math that I would enjoy very much, but have no idea what angle to pursue it from.</p>
<p>I think either way you’d be fine. Pure math with stats grad school, or applied math with stats emphasis. According to one of my professors people interested in statistics have no problem finding a job. There are huge demands for statisticians, and I believe him now that I have started looking for summer internships in companies. Unfortunately for me, I think stats is really really boring and have avoided taking it…</p>
<p>Either one can get you into grad school for statistics. </p>
<p>It sounds like you would rather do applied math with a concentration in statistics. </p>
<p>Pure math might be better if you plan to pursue a PhD in Statistics, as it would help you with Statistical Theory better. If you just plan to get an MS, then applied/statistics concentration is the way to go.</p>
<p>OK, now I understand better, and agree with the two previous posters, especially OminuousRun: if you’re thinking of getting a job after a Bachelor’s or MS, applied math with stats concentration is probably more appropriate. If you’re thinking PhD, a little more pure math (though not absolutely necessary) doesn’t hurt either.</p>
<p>Because math major programs typically do not require huge numbers of courses, it may be possible to take all of the “pure math” courses as well as all of the courses for some “applied math” concentration (even if you could only get one or the other listed as your degree) while still having plenty of room for breadth courses and free electives. Then you can be well prepared for whichever you plan to do after (job in “applied” area, or grad school in either math or the “applied” area).</p>