How is the math department at Rice?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>Hello guys,</p>

<p>I am considering applying to Rice as a transfer for Fall 2012.
I am fairly excited about the school but I have questions about the math department. I am personally interested in the field of biomatheamtics and saw that Rice offered some classes in that which is pretty good. However, I wonder how is the department overall?
I am applying to other schools with good math department but I really like Rice so I would like to know how it compares, mostly to University of Michigan.</p>

<p>Any insights from students in the department or opinions about it will be great !</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Telayl</p>

2

<p>I would Like to know too please</p>

3

<p>I’m actually a Junior wanting to go to Rice for class of 2013 and interested in biomathematics/ biometry. I don’t think they actually have classes for this though, so I’m just planning on double majoring in Math and Biology if I get in.</p>

4

<p>I do not know a lot about the mathematics department, but you should check out the Computational and Applied Mathematics department. I know a few professors there who do research in biomathematics. That department is actually contained within our School of Engineering, so it is somewhat separate from the actual mathematics department.</p>

5

<p>Ooh, please look at CAAM! Dr. Steve Cox (also a college master) in particular does a bunch of really cool biomath stuff with neuroscience: [Steven</a> J. Cox](<a href=“http://www.caam.rice.edu/~cox/]Steven”>Steven J. Cox)</p>

6

<p>I was trying to figure it out, but I’m still not sure, what’s the difference between CAAM and regular math major? They seem pretty similar.</p>

7

<p>CAAM, as the name suggests, focused on applied math. It is also housed in the School of Engineering, and thus has more engineering applications. But yes, the majors are similar. There’s really no need to decide which until you get here and have a chance to take classes and talk to professors in both departments.</p>

8

<p>Hey, I’m just looking over al the majors, and I was wondering, how many credit hours does a person usually have when they graduate? Around 100?</p>

9

<p>120 hours is the minimum requirement to graduate; 150 hours for people who are working towards a dual degree (not to be confused with a double major).</p>

<p>So most people probably graduate with 120-150 hours, I would assume.</p>

10

<p>Ok, well CAAM is 52-56 credit hours, so a double major with that really shouldn’t be too hard.</p>

11

<p>Keep in mind you’ll also have to cover your distribution requirements and everything as well. However, I wouldn’t worry too much about this now, because if you do come to Rice, you will receive a ton of academic advising during O-Week.</p>

12

<p>Not sure. I do know a senior 3 years above me who majored in Math went on to Yale Law though.</p>

13

<p>As with most majors at Rice, there are good classes and bad classes. Since the requirements for majoring are so lenient and you don’t need many hours, it is easy to get the degree without really becoming familiar with math. Therefore, you should probably take more hours than required by the major to really get a good mastery.</p>