BS in Math---> MS in Geology, is it possible? HELP CAREER IS AT STAKE!!!

College Majors Science Majors
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<p>I am going into my junior year and I am changing my major from biology to applied mathematics with a concentration in statistics. I'm just sick of being in classes with pre meds and I find math a lot more interesting than biology.</p>

<p>I am minoring in Biology since I took most of the classes for the major and I am minoring in psychology as well.</p>

<p>I'm thinking about taking a Geology course next year to see if I like it. I heard geology is doing very well in terms of job prospects and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to be admitted into an MS Geology program without an actual degree in Geology. </p>

<p>I'm actually kind of lost as of right now. I'm not sure what I want to do after college. I was originally a pre-med, but my gpa isn't stellar. I also don't think I have what it takes to go through the hardships of becoming a doctor. </p>

<p>I'd much rather have a job as soon as possible and also enjoy what I do. What I consider to be something I enjoy is something that doesn't involve stress. </p>

<p>My options as of right now are:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Geology.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Bioinformatics</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Biostatistics.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to a masters program for Computer Science</p></li>
<li><p>Apply for CPA certification or a masters program for Accounting ---> CPA</p></li>
<li><p>Live with parents after graduating. Get a minimum wage paying job. Work for 2-4 years so 75% of debt is gone (I'll be 68k in debt). Then consider applying for a graduate program.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I know I might have to take some prereqs. I'm willing to do so as long as I'm not taking more than 16 credit hours to be able to participate in the program. </p>

<p>The ones that seem most interesting to me are the first three in no particular order. 4 and 5 are just options that I could possible do if I wanted to. I am looking for the option that provides me with the best job opportunities. 6 is an option if I can't seem to get any financial aid for my masters.</p>

<p>I'm going to be very low on options. I expect my gpa to be around a 3.2 or a 3.3 when a graduate and I feel like this will end up ruining my future. </p>

<p>It seemed so simple to go into college and saying "yeah, I already know what I'm going to do. I'm going to be a doctor". Once I found out that I'm not cut out for it, I found myself in a huge mess. </p>

<p>I'm out of options. I just want to stop living with my parents and get my own place. I'm in a crapload of debt that I thought I'd be able to pay off since I thought I was going to go to medical school and eventually become a doctor....</p>

<p>PLEASE HELP!!</p>

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<p>A degree in math will be more versatile than a degree in geology. If you do want to do a master’s in geology, look at the different universities with the programs and see what they require. Some may be absolutely want bachelors of geology, other may be more open-minded (taking students from different backgrounds, perhaps with a qualifying year or extra courses first).</p>

<p>What I do recommend is to take a variety of courses now so that you can focus your choices later to advanced courses in whichever area you like the most. That includes applied math, statistics and computer science.</p>

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<p>How much math have you actually taken? If it’s just calcs, I wouldn’t commit to anything</p>

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<p>You get into a fairly sizable number of graduate programs with a completely unrelated undergraduate degree. This is particularly common in the liberal arts (especially interdisciplinary programs, like “international affairs”). </p>

<p>In STEM, most programs don’t care about the degree you hold (because, for one, not all degree programs are created equal), but rather what relevant courses you’ve taken. The problem here is that most of them require so many prerequisite courses that you might as well have or acquire a second degree in that field to begin with. Some will admit you with prerequisite deficiencies, but you’ll have to take them in residence at graduate tuition rates (often much higher than undergraduate rates) and your likelihood of securing any sort of funding in this scenario is slim to none (do NOT borrow to attend graduate school!).</p>

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<p>I’ve only taken the calc series, but I am committing because I know I’d much rather be a math major. I don’t want to graduate with a degree that will severely limit me such as biology.</p>

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<p>

I was a math major in college and let me tell you: nobody likes math majors. All of my math major classmates either went to graduate school, got a job with their second major (e.g. computer science or education) or were unemployed after college.</p>

<p>I don’t want to deter you from going into math, but I do want you to know what you are signing up for. All of your math courses beyond the calculus series and linear algebra will be abstract nonsense. Employers don’t care about those abstract nonsense courses. They’d much rather hire someone with a minor in math and a major in something useful.</p>

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<p>^ What about applied mathematics (possibly with some sort of minor)?</p>

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<p>It is possible to be accepted into an MS program in Geology without a BS in Geology but you can not wait until your senior year to take your first Geology course. In addition to Calculus you will have to have taken at least two semesters of Calculus based Physics and two semesters of General Chemistry. As for Geology courses you will need to take Physical Geology with lab and Historical Geology with lab and then take upper division courses in Mineralology, Petrology, Sedimentary Processes, Structural Geology and Paleontology to be considered a serious candidate for an MS program in Geology.</p>

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<p>But once we get through grad school they love us right? Right?!</p>

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<p>b@r!um,</p>

<p>What the heck?? No one likes math majors? What’s up with everyone else saying that math majors are similar to a fine wine that is hard to come across? What’s up with everyone saying that math majors are the most versatile major and makes you qualified for a lot of jobs???</p>

<p>I’m confused because it seems as if you are lying or everything else I’ve researched is a lie. What am I supposed to major in then? I need to major in something useful so I can get a job that doesn’t pay minimum wage. I’m not asking for much.</p>

<p>Also, I don’t really see how everything past the basics is going to be abstract if I’m an APPLIED math major. The only abstract courses I’ll have to take (if you want to call them that) are algebraic structures I , an intro class about abstract math and proofs, and introduction to analysis. </p>

<p>Everything else that I need for the math major is Calc 1-3 (which I’ve already taken, linear algebra, Stats and Prob I and II, an intro class about abstract mathematics and proofs, and an elective (probably going to be Ordinary Differential Equations).</p>

<p>What do you suggest I do b@r!um? And just out of curiosity, did you end up getting any other degrees after your math major and what are you currently doing careerwise?</p>

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<p>DO NOT listen to barium. He/she obviously does not know what he/she is talking about. </p>

<p>Math is most definitely one of the most versatile degrees out there. An applied math degree that focuses on statistics is even better. Statistics is used in every field where research is conducted.</p>

<p>Math majors are in high demand simply because they have good analytical and critical thinking skills. </p>

<p>I’m going to list the fields that you can go into with a Math major/Bio minor and Psych minor as you mentioned in the OP.</p>

<p>Fields:
(Bio)statistics
(Bio)informatics
Computer Science
Finance
Actuarial Science
Accounting
Economics
Engineering
Geology
Biology
Environmental Science
Political Science
Physics
Business
Psychology
Neuroscience
Mathematics research
Education
Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy/PA/PT/Chiropractic/Podiatry/Nursing</p>

<p>The possibilities are endless. You might have to take a few classes here and there to apply to these programs. It’s not a big deal, your options are wide open.</p>

<p>Now let’s see what you can do with your original major, which was Biology/Pre-med.</p>

<p>Medicine (good luck getting in as a Bio major, very unlikely especially with a mediocre gpa)</p>

<p>Biology (terrible job prospects)</p>

<p>Dentistry (terrible job prospects as well. You need a lot of money for start up and there are so many dentists in the US and not enough demand for their services)</p>

<p>Pharmacy (Saturated field. Jobs are going to be cut in the future, leading to an excess of PharmDs running around looking for jobs like the Bio PhDs)</p>

<p>Nursing</p>

<p>PA (High demand, but you will always work for a doctor. Imagine yourself at the age of 40 working for a doctor that’s 30.)</p>

<p>PT/Podiatry/Chiropractic - (Not much demand)</p>

<p>Bioinformatics/Biostats (this option is going to require you to take a ton of math courses. Not a viable option unless you plan on spending another year in undergrad)</p>

<p>Psychology (Consider this if you are minoring in psych. The field is practically dead because everyone and their mother seems to major in psych nowadays. It is a very popular major and it is up there with biology.)</p>

<p>The reason I commented on your options with a Biology major is because I want to show you what your options are. If you’re going to be in debt, Biology is not the way to go. Your options are limited and the fields you are trying to get into are either a) impossible to get into with your gpa, b) saturated therfore job prospects are poor, or c) you would have to spend more money to fulfill a lot of prereqs for grad programs mentioned, which defeats the purpose of minimizing debt.</p>

<p>In conclusion, don’t listen to barium. Nothing against him/her, but I don’t want someone else to be screwed by majoring in Biology. It is a pathetic excuse for a degree that provides no back up options if you don’t get into medical school.</p>

<p>MAJOR IN MATH!!! Math majors have valuable skills that most other majors don’t possess. The only other major that can compete with it is probably physics or engineering.</p>

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<p>

Who did you hear that from? (It better be employers or math major alumni, not uninformed students or a math department trying to market itself.) Pure math by itself is one of the most useless things out there. Math majors can be trained to do a lot of things but they know very little of practical value. Most students would be better off getting that practical training as an undergraduate, rather than paying for graduate school.</p>

<p>

How exactly would that work? </p>

<p><a href=“Bio”>i</a>informatics* - the OP has no computer science training.
Computer Science - ditto.
Finance - no business training, though doable with some extra effort.
Actuarial Science - no business training, though doable with some extra effort.
Accounting - wth?!? a math major has no more to do with accounting than it has to do with the study of Russian literature. If you wanna go into accounting, you should get an accounting degree.
Economics - math majors know nothing about economics either.
Engineering - no self-respecting engineering grad program would accept you without a stronger science background.
Political Science - where’s that coming from? math majors are certainly not prepared to go into political science, and I suspect that bio and psych minors are not either.
Physics - better learn some physics too!
Business - sure, you could pay $50,000 for an MBA. but you could do that with any other undergraduate major too.
Mathematics research - if only the OP had a PhD…
Education - requires certification.
Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy/PA/PT/Chiropractic/Podiatry/Nursing - any undergraduate major can do that - you’re grasping for straws now. “What can you do with a philosophy major? Well, you can become a doctor or a lawyer or a social worker…”</p>

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<p>So here is a plan I’m thinking about:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Major in Geology and minor in Psych. This way I will be taking a lot more science classes to boost me sGPA for medical school.</p></li>
<li><p>If I don’t get into medical school, either find a job as a geologist, apply to an SMP program, or get an MS in geology.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Is that my best option?</p>

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<p>

Like what?</p>

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<p>rks102, geology is cyclical. In the late 70’s, there were plenty of jobs. By '82, geologists were being laid off in droves. And it has been that way, up and down, since the beginning of oil companies. It will be a difficult major if you are in a good program, because it typically requires the same math, physics and chemistry sequence as engineering, then more physics if you choose geophysics, or more chemistry if you choose geochemistry, and on top of that, the geology courses are very challenging because you will be applying all that physics and chemistry, and competing for grades and jobs against kids who live and breath geology. It is truly a passion for some, myself included. The reason I am saying this is because it will be difficult to put up with all the work if you don’t love the geology courses. And they aren’t the type of courses that typically boost a GPA. So I would not recommend you major in geology as a path to med school. Major in geology because you love it and want to be a geologist.</p>

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<p>Bioinformatics that requires 6 credit hours of comp sci and 6 credit hours of biology. Assuming this person has the bio part covered, he/she would only need to take 6 credit hours of comp sci during the summer. There are similar programs throughout the US.</p>

<p>[M.S</a>. Requirements: Bioinformatics: Programs: Graduate: School of Informatics and Computing: Indiana University Bloomington](<a href=“Graduate Programs: Academics: Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering: Indiana University Bloomington”>Graduate Programs: Academics: Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering: Indiana University Bloomington)</p>

<p>I also looked up a few poly sci programs and none of them required a poly sci major. Take a few poly sci courses and apply. Political science research and stats are necessary, so that’s how math comes in handy.</p>

<p>Math majors can be put in place of an engineer or a computer scientist and learn the job on the spot because of the things they learned in math.</p>

<p>Upper level Econ is mostly complex math, so one could definitely apply to a master or phd program after taking a couple of Econ courses.</p>

<p>A common job that’s in demand for math majors is an analyst job.</p>

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<p>Biology and geology major here, now in grad school in the earth sciences. The entry-level degree required for most geology-related jobs is an M.S., so if you go that route, you should be prepared to go to at least a few years of grad school. That being said, a geology major in undergrad is not a requirement for admittance to grad school, although having at least some exposure to geology is probably helpful.</p>

<p>Math-heavy geology specialities that you might look into - not a complete list - include geophysics (in high demand in the oil industry), climate modeling (study global warming), physical sedimentology (study Mississippi river flooding?), and glaciology (figure out how glaciers flow). The first two rely heavily on computer ability, while the latter are more field-dominated (meaning you go outside to collect your data). </p>

<p>That being said, grad school of pretty much any sort is essentially vocational training, not a place to find yourself - one way or another, you need to have your life direction fairly well figured out before you go to grad school. Quit worrying about racking up the classes for 6 minors (psychology???), and focus on finding out what you want to do.</p>

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<p>b@r!um seems overly pessimistic… Yeah, pure math majors are ill-prepared for the job market. Applied math majors/stat majors can do a wide variety of number-crunching involved professions. A number of people in pure math I know who dropped out of grad school ended up either in finance related job or teaching (plus there is one PhD who got a tenure-track teaching job in an internationally recognized university and quit to go back to dancing I guess). But with applied math skills and the basic programming skills that should come with it (really, you have to take at least one programming course before they’ll let you do numerical analysis), it’s not that hard to find a job, or a decent program in grad school. </p>

<p>Nobody cares about turning coffee into theorems, but crunching numbers lots of people care about.</p>

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<p>Ok so I think I’m going to go with the applied math major with stats conc.</p>

<p>Here are my options for minors:</p>

<p>Bio/psych - I will be able to complete premed reqs if I do this but I’ll have to complete two semesters of comp sci during the summer if I want to apply for a bioinformatics or biostatistics grad program. I will also have the option of doing an SMP if I don’t get into med school.</p>

<p>Bio/Econ - I will be missing one semester of ochem and 2 semesters of physics, thus leaving med school and SMP out of my options. I would be able to get my CPA if I took some classes at CC, get a masters in accounting, or masters in either bioinformatics or Biostats.</p>

<p>I’m very confused. I feel like med school is impossible for an average person like me to get into.</p>

<p>Edit: my school requires a minor different from the major. Since I’m majoring in a natural science my minor would have to be a humanities or social science. I was a biology major/psych minor before and the only reason i would minor in psych is because I’m 2 classes away from getting the minor. I was considering doing Econ over psych which would require 5 classes because it’s more useful. I’m also 2 upper level bios away from completing the bio minor. I’m using the minors to supplement the math major.</p>

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<p>I could also do another option to maximize my job prospects.</p>

<p>Applied math major/ comp sci and Econ double minor.</p>

<p>I would get a masters in comp sci then work as a software engineer or something. I heard comp sci jobs are abundant in the US because of a lack of interest in the subject therefore a shortage of qualified individuals.</p>