Questions related to applied math/computational science grad study

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all:</p>

<p>I just finished my freshman year and I have some questions.</p>

<p>So far I've taken:</p>

<p>calc 1-3 (honors level) honors o.d.e, 2 semesters of linear algebra, upper division probability and statistics, classical physics, gen chem.</p>

<p>next semester I will take a more advanced probability course, applied math seminar in quantitative finance, a graduate applied math course on computational biology, and a mechanical engineering course on thermodynamics.</p>

<p>this summer I will be attending an REU in mathematics. </p>

<p>when I return, I will begin doing research under an applied mathematician who specializes in computational and computer science methods of drug design </p>

<p>My goals are to go for a PhD in either computational science & engineering / applied mathematics, and I'm not sure if I want to study finance, engineering or biology yet (I have taken classes in all). </p>

<p>Is it best to balance out my undergrad studies, and continue taking physics, engineering, chemistry courses (pchem, quantum chem) as well as math classes, or just take math courses? As it's obviously hard to take both to the full extent (time limitations, credit limitations, etc.) </p>

<p>After this year I will definitely have 2 graduate courses both taught by the same professor in the applied math department at my school. I plan to take the graduate course in applied linear algebra, graduate probability, graduate statistics, etc. About how many other graduate courses would you recommend? Is ~5 or so a good amount, or will I not stand a chance compared to other students?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Unrelated to grad study, applies to every college student- the undergrad years are when you can can take classes in just about anything for the fun of it, do so. This is the only chance you have to take courses that have nothing to do with your career/major, use some of your time to explore beyond requirements. There will be plenty of time to take one more X course, but you will not get the chance to take a seemingly frivolous course in your post bachelor’s X field grad school. Try to be well rounded as well as excellent in your field, you don’t need to have done the grad courses ahead of time. Consider the rest of your life, learn to be more than one dimensional. Yes, take a variety of other science courses, including social sciences and humanities- sneak in a music and art appreciation course as well as literature. Talk to the math profs- I’ll bet they have more in their lives than their math careers. You can be passionate about a subject, but need balance as well.</p>

3

<p>I agree with the previous post. By performing well in relevant classes and/or conducting research in your field of interest (e.g. biology, finance), it shows that you have a more developed interest.</p>

<p>Have you ever consider going to graduate school for Operation Research?</p>

4

<p>Ah, okay, good. so, I’ve been doing computational biology research (right now its using computers to help model structures, design drugs, etc.) is it necessarily a bad thing if i want to go to grad school to instead model something other than biology? is it still good that i have the modeling/computational application research?</p>

<p>I’ve never really been able to understand what operations research really is, it seems like it can be something I’d enjoy, but I’m not really sure what it entails. Can you maybe enlighten me?</p>

5

<p>Computational Science is a big thing right now and will continue to be so. Base skills in computer science, mathematics, and the sciences will be applicable in many fields. I don’t think you need to worry too much about the application area. Besides, computational biology is huge, in all branches of science and engineering.</p>