<p>Hey all.</p>
<pre><code>So I am an aerospace engineering student and, as I reflect on the coursework I have taken up to this point, I have noticed that most people who have formulated the most important models we use today were mathematicians. Even the few aerospace engineers that developed great models that we use today were mathematicians. Seems to me that being extremely formidable with mathematics is one key to making meaningful contributions to the sciences and engineering.
Not saying I am at all capable of making an impact in this world, nor saying I am the best at mathematics, but I do really enjoy it and try to learn about more advanced topics in math for fun. Since I particularly love the computational sciences, I have had the opportunity to learn a lot more math than I would have. However, a current course I am in has shown me there is so much more to learn out there, in terms of mathematics, that can really make a difference in the world.
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<p>Now, given that I have been thinking for a while that I want to pursue the computational sciences in grad school and my love for math, I have speculated what I might do for grad school if I choose to go through with that in a year. I originally thought to get an aerospace engineering masters/PhD with a focus in computational sciences, but part of me has really been starting to lean towards doing some applied mathematics graduate degrees. I feel that these could lead to a much greater understanding of the computational concepts I want to work with, as well as help me in other research aspects down the road. I just see it being very valuable, but I am not quite sure which choice might be the best.</p>
<pre><code>So, with that, if I want to do computational oriented work in a research environment down the road, should I just get aerospace engineering degrees with computational focuses or applied math degrees with a computational focus?
I want to note part of what makes the computational focused applied math degrees seem even more ideal to me is that the knowledge I gain for that will make simulations, optimization, etc the same regardless of the application, while with the aerospace degrees I would probably have to specifically learn methods for solving fluids problems or solid mechanics problems, instead of learning a plethora of methods for just general PDE types.
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<p>Thanks in advance and sorry if I worded this in a confusing manner.</p>
<p>It probably doesn’t matter a whole lot as long as you end up in the right place working for the right person. I know plenty of aerospace PhD students and professors who do some very mathematical things in the computational realm and most of them do some amazing stuff. Most have developed their own codes and those types of projects are no differen from solving, say, quantum mechanics problems.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I know plenty that are more than happy to just push go on their simulation and interpret the results and call it a day rather than developing new codes. Ultimately you are in charge of where you take your education both through your choice of advisor and through how you approach the problems you tackle.</p>
<p>You may find the work of Anatoli Tumin interesting at Arizona. I know he has a history of hiring applied mathematicians as post-docs.</p>
<p>Thank you for the response boneh3ad. I kind of thought that what you choose doesn’t really matter as long as you push to get to the place you want to be. Thanks for your insight for sure. I know I would surely prefer to be the one developing new codes and numerical methods verses the latter case you specified.</p>
<p>Also, I will go check out Anatoli now. Sounds very interesting.</p>
<p>Well I mean ultimately, with a PhD, the jobs you end up with aren’t going to care about your “major” on your degree. They care about the types of publications and other competences.</p>
<p>Alright, that makes sense. Thanks again boneh3ad!</p>
<p>Not a problem. To be fair though, I’d say you would be just fine in applied math as well. I considered branching into applied math as a post-doc. I certainly respect applied math. I’d say look at both types of research groups and find a group doing things that are interesting to you.</p>
<p>Well I guess with that I will apply to a few schools for applied math next year and see if they even accept me. I think I may prefer applied math but I am sure an aerospace engineering degree will still help me learn what I want to. There’s plenty of time to figure it out anyways.</p>
<p>Of course, my opinion would be biased as my undergrad degree is in Applied Math (actually Computational Math), but applied math can be very worthwhile.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>How companies set up networks, their topologies and what not stems from Graph Theory</p></li>
<li><p>Probabilistic calculations for use in radar or other electronic communication makes use of Stochastic Processes</p></li>
<li><p>Applied Number Theory is a basis for further study of Cryptology in computer networks</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Even today, the computational side of applied mathematics is growing faster than almost any other engineering area.</p>
<p>On a personal note, even though I was technically a “math” major, I was always more interested in exactly “what the hell is X”…and less about all of theory behind it.</p>
<p>aero,</p>
<p>I’m glad you posted, I’m in a similar boat. I’m a petroleum engineering undergrad (junior) and I just made the decision to go full steam ahead with a masters in applied mathematics. I’ve taken a few additional undergraduate math courses that have really helped in some of my petroleum classes. I’ll be taking an undergraduate analysis (or PDEs… haven’t decided yet) this summer and then I’ll take a few graduate math classes in the fall. But having a family, I need to start working immediately so I’m looking into a few online applied math and computational science programs. I’ll just take one class at a time until I finish it up.</p>
<p>I too love math. I was accepted into a computational math program but I really want a degree in electrical engineering. I think I want to get a masters in applied math as well.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input GLOBALTRAVELER. It is good to know that it is a field with many opportunities right now in case I go that route. I will admit that, although at times I love learning math theory for the heck of it, I am more interested in learning math that is applicable to solving real problems, hence why I am interested in applied math. I just see it as a powerful tool to advance our world, given we have the creative minds to utilize it well.</p>
<p>I know for myself I will want to study the mathematics used in all sorts of optimization and the mathematics used in solving ODEs and PDEs. I have taken a few courses for use in computationally solving ODEs and PDEs of all types, but I have not had much in optimization and have had to do a bit of self study there. I hope to take linear and nonlinear programming courses next year but that is still up in the air.</p>
<p>@noleguy33 That is awesome man! I definitely understand the need to work though for your family, so I am sure the online masters will be totally sufficient for you. Very exciting though! I don’t even know if I could get into an applied mathematics graduate program since I won’t have a plethora of math courses done when I graduate. However, I sure will apply anyways!</p>
<p>@Lookin4ward Sounds like a good plan to me man! I think that, especially since you love math, getting the masters in applied math will not only help you in work but be worth it just in terms of your interests.</p>
<p>Just gonna say, even though I’m not that great at math compared to you guys, if I had the skills I’d have ditched materials engineering and gone with applied math. To me, it just seems like such an amazingly powerful tool that can be applied across so many disciplines. What’s the coolest part to me is when the same problem crops up across different fields, and it tends to be the applied mathematicians which recognize it, and can then solve everyone’s problem at once.</p>
<p>Yeah I don’t think I had the math skills after undergrad to cut the mustard in an applied math program. If I tried to go back and do that now, I could probably pull it off just fine.</p>
<p>@RacinReaver
I definitely share the same perspective as you in terms of how powerful applied math appears to be. And I have heard the same about applied mathematicians recognizing similar problems. It is really cool and I really do like the fact it can be applied to so many areas as well. Though I love aerospace related areas, there are things I love in just plain physics and other areas that could utilize things learned in applied math. So sweet.</p>
<p>@boneh3ad I love that “cut the mustard” statement, haha. But yeah dude, if you can handle the PhD work you do, I am sure you could handle doing applied math now!</p>