<p>Hello everybody! I'm new on this forum. I've seen some posts already and I realized this is a very nice community.</p>
<p>I have a very specific question about what major should I choose. Computer science or math; I already know what they are and what can I do with each degree, but my doubt is different. I'm interested on focusing my career on computational or mathematical medicine. I recently came across some topics like "Mathematically modelling the heart activity" and "Computational cardiology" and I realized that's what I wanna do. The idea of applying computer science or math in the clinical sciences is just beautiful. I've always liked medicine too but I'm more of a STEM guy. So this different approach to the clinical sciences is perfect for me.</p>
<p>Now, say, if I'd like to develop mathematical models about brain activity during different situations, or, dunno, develop some kind of software that simulates and models brain activity, which major would be best for me to take? Oh, and I obviously know just a BS isn't enough, I'm planning on going all the way up to a PhD. The tricky part is right now, choosing the right major because I'm one of those guys who thinks your major is really important if you're later going for specific research. I see it as the backbone of all my knowledge.</p>
<p>Anyway, I hope you could help me, it would be nice! Oh, and I'm really really sorry for the long post.</p>
<p>It really boils down to what you like more since you’re already decided into getting a PhD. I’d say, take something like… discrete math your freshman year and then research PhD programs, and see which ones you’re going to consider applying to and decide your major from there.</p>
<p>Thanks! I know that’s the logical thing to do, but I really need some “pick math/cs because of…” kind of advice. I really like both majors and I don’t have a problem choosing one over the other, but one should be more useful than the other one.</p>
<p>First pick a good research uni for undergrad. Then start off on calc, physics, and intro cs. Maybe a discrete math class. BUT ALSO get involved in ug research right away and talk to professors in your preferred field. Ask them which major is best. You don’t have to decide right away (unless cs is done through the engineering college).</p>
<p>Realistically, either cs or math should get you there. Grad school is where the bio specialization will come in.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies! Well, I actually have the option of choosing between applied math and pure math. I find pure math to be an extremely interesting and rewarding field, intellectualy, but I’m more interested in applied math, specifically in the biomedical field as I mentioned earlier.</p>
<p>Honestly, you’re going to need lots of both fields. Many Mathematics majors at research universities have different “tracts”. The fields and topics in mathematics are plentiful, so you have to narrow it down a little bit in undergrad. Get a good foundation in all of your pre-req classes then find the right mix of electives and required courses in certain tracts that will allow you to be best prepared for grad school. Computer Science is really just a subset of Mathematics. You will get exposed to it as a Math major.</p>
<p>You may want to look into the “Computational Sciences” majors/specializations that are growing in a number of universities. That may be what you are looking for.</p>
<p>My B.S. degree is in Computational Mathematics and at the time (1989/1990), universities basically made it an unfocused “Math/CS hybrid degree”. Now, you have whole departments and research going on where Computational Science is jointly administered by the Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and CS departments…and more focused.</p>
<p>Why not just do engineering? Computer or electrical engineering? You get tons of math, programming, and can still do modeling if you really, really wanted to. Places like GE, Siemens, etc. etc. all do that kind of stuff in their R and D departments to research new imaging technologies and instruments. </p>
<p>Oh yeah…and job prospects for computer and electrical engineers are much better.</p>
<p>CS majors have better job prospects (assuming both the CS and CE/EE are from a good school).</p>
<p>Do an Applied math major, or a CS major with math minor, etc. You want to show that you’re not just a code monkey and have mathematical chops. However, you don’t necessarily need a PhD.</p>