math: Harvard or MIT?

College Majors
1

<p>Hello.</p>

<p>I would like to study field called General Mathematics. Is MIT better or Harvard here?</p>

<p>Thank you for replies.</p>

<p>J.</p>

2

<p>“General Mathematics” isn’t a field - it looks like (from MIT’s website) it is a Math major for individuals who might want to specialize in specific applied areas.</p>

<p>Most people are going to suggest MIT for any applied math major since that is their bread and butter.</p>

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<p>Same thread in another forum: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/science-majors/1157491-math-harvard-mit.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/science-majors/1157491-math-harvard-mit.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>ANDS!'s comment about General Mathematics got me thinking. The General Math option at MIT seems to be targeted at double majors who want to take a lot of math courses relevant to their main field of interest (e.g. engineering or economics) with no intention of getting a solid foundation in math in the process. If math is your main interest, however, you should complete the core sequences in either pure or applied mathematics. Pure math majors can take a few applied courses and vice versa. But if you spend your college years dabbling in both without getting a good foundation in either, you will severely limit your graduate school options.</p>

<p>On MIT vs Harvard: Both are top notch in pure math but their applied math programs are set up differently. Applied math at MIT is housed in the math department and may better be called “applicable math” - very theoretical, with a focus on mathematical methods and not applications. Applied math at Harvard is housed in the School of Engineering with a focus on applications, not math theory. That’s also reflected in the requirements for the major: applied math at MIT is just math, while at Harvard it requires a concentration outside of math (e.g. electrical engineering or economics).</p>