Pure math vs Applied math for Financial Engineering program...

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi. I am a sophomore and still have not decided my major yet. i started school with biololgy </p>

<p>major but wanted to switch the major to Ams (applied math and stats, which is in engineering school) by taking math </p>

<p>class. I do have a great in interest in financial engineering..and as of now, my goal is to </p>

<p>get into a good financial engineering program after undergraduate...I do know that i have </p>

<p>to take alot of math and business classes to prepare for the program..but i am not sure what iam supposed to major in.. </p>

<p>pure math, or AMS?? </p>

<p>-btw, im also minoring in Entreprenuership management, where i took many accounting,and other business classes.</p>

<p>I want to add one more question. In my school, there's not a big difference between pure mathematics and AMS. Calc 1,2,3, Lin algebra, Differential.. these three classes are the same requirements. Only 4 classes are different, here is the chart.</p>

<p>pure mathematics; Analysis 1,2(Introduction to Real Analysis, Calculus on Manifolds), Advanced Algebra 1,2(or number theory)</p>

<p>AMS: Scientific Computing, Intro to Optimization, Prob Stats 1,2</p>

<p>above chart shows there are four different required courses for each major. Which is a heavier courseload?</p>

2

<p>Obviously the pure math track is a heavier courseload. The classes you mentioned, Calc1-2-3 and Diff Eqs are classes that are basically covered in all the engineering tracks/applied/etc. And they are really easy as well.</p>

<p>The pure-math only classes, such as Analysis, Topology, Abstract Algebra (algebraic structures) are what distinguishes a pure math major from the rest. </p>

<p>So your question of "Which is a heavier courseload?" is a relative one, but im sure everyone will agree that the pure math track is heavier and harder. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Well, look at the courses you just listed. I honestly doubt that the advanced pure math track will help you as much as the applied. Financial engineering is going to require you to be well versed in stats and probability, so I would recommend that track. The pure math load you described will be, wihout question, more difficult. Calc, lin alg, and diffeqs weren't that bad, but real analysis is known for being one of the hardest if not the hardest class an undergraduate can take (at least at my school.) </p>

<p>I'm a math major, math and econ to be precise, and my school's requirements are different than yours. For my math major I have had to take calc 1,2,3, lin alg, diffequ, non linear dynamic systems- chaos and modeling, combinatorics, probability, real analysis, and then I have to take another proof based class. Probably algebra but I may subsitute that with linear programming, idk. My degree is applied so I had to take 6 classes (at varrying levels) within my application, and I am excused from one upper level proof based course (pure math requirment is 3.)</p>

<p>Having a math major will help you leaps and bounds going into financial engineering, just make sure you get some courses in finance and business. You might even consder taking real analysis regaurdless. I doubt any financial engineering program will require more math than diffeq so you'll be ahead of the curve. If you decide to go pure math, defs make sure you take some probability and statistics as well.</p>

4

<p>try to get a few economics courses in there as well</p>