Does emphasis really matter, if you're taking the same courses either way?

College Majors Math/Computer Science Majors
1

TL;DR: Assuming same math courses are taken, does it matter if the math major says general/applied/computational? And does the (physics) mechanics with Calc 1 matter if I’ve taken mechanics with algebra/trig?

So I’m currently working on a double major (double degree, technically, since I’ll have enough credits) of math and CS. I graduate in May 2018. I am curious if anyone out there already in the “real world” has any input regarding whether or not the emphasis matters in a major, with the understanding that the courses taken will not change much/at all.

For the math major: I will pretty much be fulfilling 3 of the emphases my school has - General, Applied, and Computational. I will list my courses below for anyone who cares to look at them. Since I will be fulfilling them all, does it really matter which one I choose?

(For background, I declared the CS major already, because that has limited admission at my school, so upper level courses are only open to majors/minors. I have not yet declared the math major, because that major can be declared at any time, and I’ve been torn on the emphasis to choose.)

For the CS major: Having a math major, I am fulfilling all the requirements for the Computational Software emphasis (has a built-in math minor), except the physics class. The Software Development emphasis (general emphasis) does not require that physics class. I’ve taken physics in high school and at my community college (got an assoc before transferring to complete my bach), however both were the “algebra/trig” version, not the “calc 1” version. The required physics course for the Computational Software emphasis is the “calc 1” version, and my school will not allow me to waive it. (I asked, since I’ve taken it twice, it’s super easy to me, and I’m a major major, so I can take a derivative).

I do not want to take the physics class (it’s mechanics, just the first class), because it is super hard to fit into my schedule, and I seriously loathe the labs, which are required. I know my physics, and I can figure out what I don’t know.

If I do not take the physics class, I have to switch to the general emphasis in my CS major, but then I have room for another CS or math elective, which would be a much more interesting use of my time, especially since I set the curve in my algebra/trig mechanics course. Would you say it would be a better use of my time, though? With the math major, does it still look better to have Computational Software over Software Development?

Math courses I have taken*/am in right now$/will take&:
*Calculus 1/2/3
*Linear Algebra
*Differential Equations
*Math Modeling
Abstract Algebra *1/$2
Advanced Calculus (Real Analysis) $1/&2
*Number Theory
*Discrete Mathematics
*Numerical Linear Algebra
$Numerical Analysis
&Intro to Statistics/Probability
&(and some yet undecided elective)

CS courses I have taken*/am in right now$/will take&:
*C++ 1/2
*Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis
*UNIX/Network Programming
*Assembler Language (yup IBM 360/370…I found it fun and easy, so I know I’m weird)
*Foundations of CS (automata theory, Turing machines, etc…probably my favorite CS class)
$Architecture and Systems Organization
*Databases
&Intro to Software Engineering
*Network Science (mix of theory/applied graph stuff at an advanced level - most of the class was grad students)
&Operating Systems
&(and some yet undecided elective)

A little about me, in case you’re curious/it matters:
I’m a theoretical math nerd. My favorite math classes were Abstract Algebra and Number Theory. Yes, I know I’m the weirdo. I’m getting the CS major for employment opportunities because it’s interesting/fun/easy for me/the only “applied math” I can stomach, but the math major is more my passion. I definitely prefer writing proofs over applied math, and that reflects in CS in that I prefer more theoretical stuff (automata, algorithms, etc) rather than applied stuff.

Lastly, any thoughts on the math/CS electives? I know I’m taking most of the “make sure you take this” courses, so unless someone sees something essential I’m missing, I’m probably just going to take something that interests me.

2

If you like algebra and number theory in math, you may like cryptography in CS.

3

If you like proofs, what about more advanced Analysis of Algorithms course?
Think of it as Real Analysis version 2.0

And I doubt the name of the “math degree” matters.
And as for Physics, if you are not planning on going for physics related applied math for grad school, then I personally don’t see the point of you taking it.

I mean your classes alone makes it seem like you are a double major or something.
I’m sure you are fine.
Anyways, if you liked probability, you might enjoy Machine Learning.
If not, at least give Artificial Intelligence a go.

4

First, thank you for your replies!

Yes, I am a double major. Since I’ll have enough credits, I’ll technically be graduating with two BS degrees (one in math and one in CS, rather than one BS with two majors).

Unfortunately, my school does not offer a cryptography class or an advanced algorithms class (at least, not for undergrads). However, next semester will have a Data Visualization course and a Pattern Recognition course. From my advisor:

“Pattern Recognition will study the algorithms, challenges, and strategies for designing computer programs capable of reaching conclusions, based off of training provided to them. Data Visualization focuses on the science of digesting large amounts of data into meaningful information, using graphics to illustrate a point.”

I’m thinking about the Pattern Recognition course. It sounds more interesting to me.

I am not planning on grad school at the moment. If I ever do grad school, it will likely be in math, not CS. While CS is fun and interesting to me, I am not interested enough to do an advanced degree, unless maybe I find a program somewhere someday that is very theoretical. My brain just works better with more abstract things than applied things, like the proofs in the automata/Turing machines class.

Also unfortunately, my school does not have any (regularly scheduled) Machine Learning/AI courses. The Pattern Recognition one I mentioned above would be the most similar to those concepts, but that is one of those “rotating topic” courses, so if I don’t take it in the fall, it will not be available in the spring.

I have not taken the stats/prob course yet, as it is one of those lower level/easier required courses that I’m just going to fit in where I fit it in. Also, I am not really at all interested in stats/prob. Abstract Algebra is much more my style (groups, rings, fields, etc).

I am not at all directly considering anything to do with physics. The mechanics class is merely a requirement for the Computational Software CS emphasis.

On the math side, I am considering taking Linear and Multilinear Algebra and/or Linear Programming in the fall. Any thoughts on those ones? Both are pretty much just more matrix stuff.

5

Fellow math and CS double major (also class of 2018).

The emphasis doesn’t really matter, rather the courses you take. I would not take the physics class just to change the emphasis; the fact that you’re also a math major shows you know the “computational” part.

If you like the theoretical side, especially Algebra, I think you should take linear and multi linear algebra. We did linear programming as part of my algorithms class and it’s a pretty applied topic, so you probably won’t enjoy it as much.