How Good is Applied Math at Rice?

<p>I've been accepted as a Bioengineering major, but now I'm thinking that I'd like to add something in Applied Math - maybe a minor or double major. How good is Rice for applied math (undergrad)?</p>

<p>I ask because I've also been accepted to UChicago, and also thought that I could do something with applied math (double major/minor) there. From what I've heard, the program at UChicago is significantly better than the one at Rice.</p>

<p>True?</p>

<p>Here’s a link to the CAAM department: [Department</a> of Computational and Applied Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.caam.rice.edu/]Department”>http://www.caam.rice.edu/)</p>

<p>I actually know several bioEs who switched to caam or are currently doubling, and they really enjoy it. It’s very easy to tailor the resources of the department to your interests, and if you’re into biology I know several profs who apply their math/computer stuff to neuroscience. One of my good friends is doing research right now on how neural nets establish themselves and grow.</p>

<p>Sorry I don’t know anything more specific.</p>

<p>Rice has a completely separate department for their applied mathematics program. I could be mistaken, but I think Chicago applied mathematics is more of a specialization that mathematics majors takes. Also…</p>

<p>From the University of Chicago website:
“B.S. candidates are further required to select a minor field, which consists of an additional three-course sequence, which is outside the Department of Mathematics but within the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division, chosen in consultation with the departmental counselor.”</p>

<p>So it seems that at Chicago you would major in mathematics, where your elective major courses are applied, and you have to focus on another subject such as physics or stats etc.</p>

<p>At Rice you pretty much take courses specifically designed to be applied mathematics courses. Almost everything you need for you major is a course listed as: CAAM ###, if I’m not mistaken. </p>

<p>I don’t want to start a who is better flame war, but Chicago has a outstanding mathematics program, equal or superior to Rice. I get the impression though, that Rice would be easier to do multi-department work, and Rice gives more emphasis and attention to the ‘applied’ aspect. Also Rice allows you to minor in CAAM, but I haven’t seen anything on the Chicago website that talks about a minor in applied math. Either school is outstanding and I don’t think you could go wrong either way. I would take a very good look at location, financial packages, quality of life, and other factors. When it comes to education, you’ll get top notch in either place.</p>

<p>Chicago: [Department</a> of Mathematics: Concentration in Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.math.uchicago.edu/undergraduate/concentration.shtml]Department”>http://www.math.uchicago.edu/undergraduate/concentration.shtml)
Rice: [Department</a> of Computational and Applied Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.caam.rice.edu/]Department”>http://www.caam.rice.edu/)</p>