<p>do math majors with computer science minors often find jobs easily?
im more interested in studying math in college, but would like to get in computers after graduating</p>
<p>is this looked down upon?</p>
<p>ive also seen schools that offer majors in subjects like 'math and computer science' or 'computational mathematics' or 'math and scientific computing'</p>
<p>are these acceptable/relevant?</p>
<p>"math" by itself usually refers to pure math. There's always "applied math" or "mathematical sciences" which is usually better if you want to go the computer route after you graduate. However, a math major with a minor in CS is a good mix and its better than doing applied math or mathematical sciences. </p>
<p>Basically, math major + CS minor > applied math/mathematical sciences, because with a math major and a minor in CS you are going to take all the classes that the other majors take as well as the advanced/theoretical math classes.</p>
<p>Do you really know if you can handle the upper level pure math classes? They are not part of the other majors.</p>
<p>For reference, im doing a pure math major with a minor in CS. I plan to get my Phd in Mathematics so my CS minor is of no use (relatively) but its a side track I enjoy.</p>
<p>im in high school right now, so no, i dont know if i can handle it.</p>
<p>but im not experienced at all in computer science and would just be beginning. i dont know if i can immediately handle all the work of a computer science major. and my true interest is math... computer science would just be my realistic job opportunity. i cant say i know all about how 'pure math is so different from high school math' and all that people say, but i am incredibly eager to learn and deeply interested in the subject.</p>
<p>im just worried the weaker computer science background might hurt me</p>
<p>Well, I was once in your position. From High School i was always extremely interested in math and I had the doubt if I will actually like the real math (advanced). Only way to find out is to go ahead, take the classes and see if you are cutout for it.</p>
<p>One difference between advanced math classes versus other "hard" classes is that in other hard engineering/physics or whatever "hard" classes. "hard" means a lot of work, lot of dedication, etc, where as advanced math is not a lot of work etc...it depends if your mind can handle it or not. Its not something you can say "well im going to try my hardest and try to do it". What im trying to say is that it does not depend on your work ethic, or how much time you are going to dedicate to it, it depends if you are made for it. Get what im saying? This is just my opinion.</p>
<p>Back in High School I was very involved in the math club and practiced programming on my free time, going every year to programming contests etc. I went to college with the idea of doing a double major in math and computer science. I soon realized that I absolutely loved advanced math and the computer science major involved many gay classes, such as public speaking, communications, business skills, etc, which I had no desire to take. So I decided to major in pure math and get a minor in computer science since it has always been my hubby from high school etc.</p>
<p>Like I said above, theres no way to tell than to try it yourself. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Im currently a Junior at college. Feel free to ask any questions.</p>
<p>Math and Computing is an excellent option and probably the best undergrad degree there is.</p>
<p>If you're not confident that you can do computer science in college, what makes you so sure that you can do it once you graduate?</p>
<p>never said i was.</p>
<p>but i gotta do something for a living, right? i like computers.</p>
<p>just not as much as i like math. and i'd rather study math for four years and hope it opens up some sort of opportunity.</p>
<p>i've heard that sometimes math majors are somewhat qualified for computer jobs... so i'm trying to figure out how to best prepare myself</p>
<p>what about a BA in math and a minor in cs? is that also as good as a BS in math with a minor in cs?</p>
<p>Bachelor “of Arts” versus “of Science” matters little, unless your school makes a distinction and the distinction is significant and known to employers and graduate schools.</p>
<p>A math major can prepare himself or herself for more job and career opportunities by adding some courses in computer science (e.g. algorithms and complexity, operating systems, networks, software engineering), economics (e.g. intermediate micro/macro with math, finance), and statistics, whether or not s/he picks up a second major or official minor(s).</p>
<p>Add to that…the junior/senior level math courses in discrete mathematics, broken up into separate combinatorics and graph theory courses goes much more in depth than that sophomore-level “discrete structures” course that many CS majors take. With the growing area of information assurance, it probably would be a good idea to also take a cryptology course than MAY be given only by the math department (although could be a cross-listed CS course). This crypto course may also be called Error-Correcting Codes.</p>
<p>I myself was an undergrad Math/CS major and have been working in software engineering/development for years.</p>
<p>Upper division math courses aren’t easy because they’re not just plugging and chugging numbers. They requires proofs.</p>
<p>I’m a computer science majors and I’ve taken at least one math class each quarter I’ve been at my school. So you will cover basic math and discrete math with a computer science major. So if you’re looking for a computer job, you’re still going to take math classes in the computer science major.</p>
<p>I disagree with what the guy said up there ^^. You don’t have to be made for math, but you should be willing to change your thought process and you should be prepared to find out that your current thought processes and methods of solving problems may not be compatible with how mathematics is done (on a pure level). That being said, it’s not the kind of grinding hard work that will help you, it’ll be the kind of work where you’re constantly thinking about how you should think about this stuff. If you’re really interested, that will make it easier. If you look at it like a pre-med student… well you’re going to have a tough time.</p>