<p>I’ve done a search on “CAAM” but didn’t find much. I have some questions about this majo:</p>
<li><p>How hard is it compared to, say, civil engineering? And is it easy to double major?</p></li>
<li><p>What are students headed after graduation? If they’re not going to grad school, what kind of jobs do they get?</p></li>
<li><p>Is this a strong department? What faculty member can I contact for more information?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I’m in CAAM right now.</p>
<p>IMO, CAAM may be the best department at Rice. It’s basically the reason I transferred from UT.</p>
<p>The work is different from engineering. There are a lot of branches of applied math; the most common are linear programming/optimization/graph theory, PDEs, and functional analysis. There are some skills that translate well to and from engineering, and some that don’t.</p>
<p>For example, in CAAM, you have to take 401 and 402 (Real Analysis), which are pure math classes. You can’t just grind out an answer, like in engineering. Sometimes, it just takes a flash of insight to get the proof, which might only take a few steps to work. CAAM, IMO is “harder” in the sense that fewer people out of a sample of people will be really successful if they did it, while CivE may be harder because it is probably more time consuming.</p>
<p>CAAM is a really easy major to double with. I know a ChemE/CAAM double major, and although he’s busy, it’s doable. However, I would suggest a non-engineering major to double with (like Math/Econ, a natural science, or even a humanities major), since you can already show grad schools and employers that you have great quantitative abilities. Of course, if you really want the BSE, go for it. The electives are also really flexible. Basically, any elective in MATH, STAT, CAAM, or probably any engineering discipline, can count towards your CAAM elective. Just make sure you talk to Dr. Embree; he’s pretty chill about that stuff. The only requirements IIRC are to take 401 and 402 (two semesters of real analysis), 453 and 454 (two semesters of numerical analysis), 378 (an intro OR class), and some electives, in addition to basic math classes.</p>
<p>CAAM is great for any quantitative job, since it probably requires the most quantitative fluency of any major at Rice. A lot of students go into finance, and some engineering firms love CAAM majors, since they need problem solvers; you can learn the exact engineering science on the job. Also, you can go the actuarial route, since you should be well-prepared for the first two (or more) tests. </p>
<p>Grad School is a good option too, since you can go into an applied math, pure math, economics, statistics, or engineering graduate degree with ease.</p>
<p>IIRC, only four universities offer an undergraduate major equivalent to CAAM (Stanford, MIT, Caltech, and Rice). It’s also a small major, because some people get turned off by all the programming in CAAM 210 (the introductory MATLAB programming course). However, the actual major has a lot less programming, and more math (in fact, MATLAB is used more as a spiffy calculator, rather than a programming language). As a result, you get a spectacular (about 1:1) faculty-to-undergraduate ratio. This is also great for getting research opportunities for anybody that needs someone with a quantitative background. It also means that the profs will all know you by name. </p>
<p>CAAM’s department is awesome, to say the least. You have Dr. Cox, whose primary research is as a theoretical neuroscientist. You have Dr. Embree – a Rhodes Scholar, who also has a constant named after him – but more importantly, who is supposedly one of the best teachers on campus (I’m really looking forward to taking 453 with him next semester). Then, there is Dr. Symes, who’s a genius at analysis and at work with PDEs. I haven’t worked with any other teachers specifically, but the whole department is full of, for lack of a better word, ballers at math and physics.</p>
<p>I know I seemed super biased, but it’s the department that brought me to Rice, and it has not disappointed me at all. Anyways (I’m assuming you’re going to be a freshman next semester), definitely take CAAM 210 as soon as you get the chance. It’s required for most, if not all, engineering classes, and is a decent intro class. It is always taught by a CAAM professor, and is a good way to learn more about the department (even though the material does not really reflect the major). Anyways, if you want more information, I would suggest shooting an e-mail to Dr. Embree.</p>
<p>For more info, visit their department page. [Department</a> of Computational and Applied Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.caam.rice.edu/]Department”>http://www.caam.rice.edu/)</p>
<p>Wow, thank you so much! I’m still trying to decide where I want to go next year, but CAAM at Rice sounds very interesting.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>Embree is such a BALLER! Chillest dude i’ve ever met.</p>
<p>I wanted to major in economics, but as I heard that it’s not RICE’s strength, I have just decided to double major in CAAM. I’m satisfied now that it’s the best department at Rice</p>
<p>chloe yan >>> Econ major at Rice is good too. You have some eminent professors and good chances to be involved in research and get internships. You also get nice guest speakers at the Baker Institute.</p>
<p>There is now a CAAM minor!</p>