<p>My daughter wants to major in theoretical math but take some humanities courses as well. How is the math dept? Also, as a US student, what are her chances of getting in? Her GPA is 3.6 (4.16 weighted), boards 1980 (may retake), very rigorous curriculum esp. in math. Also has good ECs but I take it they don't care?</p>
<p>The math department is very good unless your daughter is planning on doing applied math which is not the case. Can’t comment on the chances of getting in, but I can say that McGill does offer a BA in math (as well as a BSc which is what most math students will do) which would allow her to take humanities courses and avoid the freshmen science required courses. She would have to apply through the faculty of Arts. The required courses are the same as the BSc in math, but the BA major concentration requires fewer credits leaving room for more electives (both degrees, BSC and BA, of course, require the same total amount of credits). </p>
<p>Obviously, I would recommend to contact McGill admissions or academic advisor to discuss admissions and program options for more up-to-date and accurate info.</p>
<p>That is an interesting option! I will follow up with the admissions people. Thanks.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how good our math department actually is. I’ve taken a grad course at concordia, and I can’t really say we’re all that much better (at least in teaching quality). </p>
<p>I am currently finishing up the Honours Pure Mathematics program (B.Sc.) and all I’ll add to Blobof’s post is that you have a lot of joint honours options to consider as a Math student, as well as non-honours options. </p>
<p>If you daughter is entertaining the hopes of grad school (which, to be fair, is kind of premature), she should probably consider the honours program. It’s designed to prepare you for graduate studies. If she’s looking for more of the US, Liberal Arts type of experience, I suggest <em>not</em> doing the honours program, and checking out the options inside the B.A. route. </p>
<p>Search inside the McGill site for the course catalogue / calendar and have your daughter look at the Honours vs. non-Honours programs.</p>
<p>Thanks, she will check this out. We’re visiting McGill this coming week – we’ll see if she decides it’s for her!</p>
<p>Hi drmambo what is your opinion of the applied math department? Also, is not pursuing a grad program (entering industry) viable with an honours degree? I will be entering as a U1 next year studying Applied Math.</p>
<p>There is only one math & stats department. Applied math is not all that bad, but for some reason, they’ve always had trouble keeping good applied profs for long (Gander, Nigam, Tupper all left after a handful of years, though the last two were a two body problem).</p>
<p>Just returned from a visit. Loved the campus (it helped that weather was beautiful). We were amazed at how many NJ kids were on the tour. Clearly the secret is out!</p>
<p>I could only guess what the “secret” is…</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the applied side of things in the department, here. Blobof is probably the expert in that. I will say, though it has nothing to do with anything, I had Nigam for MATH 133 way-back-when, and she was a <em>great</em> lecturer. (*'s are for emphasis, not sarcasm). </p>
<p>The impression I’ve been under is that people want to hire math majors (honours degree, or no). I’m sure taking an applied stream makes you all-the-more competitive for things like quantitative stats, or financial work, though (if that’s your thing). </p>
<p>So don’t worry so much about where the degree will take you: I’ve rarely heard of people leaving academia and getting burned by their math degree.</p>