<p>I'm just wondering out of curiosity, which business major uses the most complex math? It seems as though most business majors are required to take at least one semester of calculus, but is that calculus ever really used?</p>
<p>The only major, which sort of isn't a business major, per se, that I can think of that uses higher level math might be economics.</p>
<p>EDIT: I forgot about an actuarial.</p>
<p>finance…</p>
<p>Look up something like a Black-Scholes model if you want an example.</p>
<p>Not including actuarial science, finance is the most mathematical. Economics programs in business schools are usually have less “pure” math than their arts & sciences counterparts.</p>
<p>I figured that Finance would be the most math-intense. I just wanted to make sure, though. Does Finance go beyond calculus?</p>
<p>The reason I ask is because I like applying higher levels of math rather than the more simpler applications. I’m not sure how much math will be involved in an accounting degree, but I’m assuming it’s not much. Correct me if I’m wrong, please.</p>
<p>If you want high-level math to be a serious focus for your finance education, you will need to get a Masters in Finance or maybe even a Phd in Finance. An undergraduate finance degree typically does not involve math above calculus 1. </p>
<p>However, once you get into high-level finance predictive models, you might as well be studying math just as much as you are studying finance. Finance can become an intense mathematics game once you reach the threshold.</p>
<p>Those are the types that work for hedge funds.</p>
<p>You are correct that there is not much math in accounting. Finance can be about simple applications, but it can also be very, very quantitative. In fact, most of the “quants” on Wall St have PhD’s in Physics, Statistics, etc.</p>
<p>If Finance majors/graduates use more complex math in their studies, which I assuming will eventually be used in their careers, then why is it said that many accounting graduates can fulfill a finance graduate’s job?</p>
<p>OP, I’m not sure if you are trying to decide on a major and are leaning to a math based business major when you get to school.</p>
<p>If that is your interest, I wouldn’t worry too much about learning the “business” side of things in undergrad. You should instead concentrate on a Quantitative degree (Math, Applied Math, Mathematical Economics, Statistics, or even Physics or Computer Science). Then, after you finish your BS you can get a job and learn the various aspects of that job and apply your mathematical skills to that job.</p>
<p>Basically, what I’m trying to say is that it is a lot easier if you learn the math when you are in college (i.e., challenge yourself with a difficult degree path) and learn business when you get out in the real world, then it is to learn business in school and learn (high levels of) math in the real world.</p>
<p>After undergrad you can always get an MBA (or Masters in Finance/Accounting/MFE, etc) to learn the formal business side, if you feel that is necessary when the time comes.</p>
<p>Many undergrad business schools “dumb down” the math aspect of the various undergrad degrees. They do this so they can churn out more BBA’s. If you want to learn the real (difficult) math, stick with the math department. Those guys don’t like to dumb down stuff, they just like to fail you and push you to the business school with a change of major application form.</p>
<p>Actually, I’m already in college, and I had originally planned on being an engineering student. I decided I’d take math as soon as I could, and I went through Calculus (except multivariable calc). After that is when I decided to change my path because chemistry was and still is my nightmare. I just don’t want to waste all that time I spent in calculus.</p>
<p>As for what you suggested, I know that getting a Master’s in a business field after the science degree is valid, but certainly there are certain courses that I have to take before being admitted to a MBA program, right? For example, if I were to get a Master’s in Accounting after a Bachelor’s in Mathematics, I should have already taken certain accounting courses (probably past intermediate II?).</p>
<p>I certainly get an idea of why obtaining quantitative skills before going into business is a good idea, but just how many positions out there really require that kind of math? I’m not sure where exactly I want to go (banking, corporate, etc.), so that’s why I’m here. :)</p>
<p>Most people who get an MBA don’t come from a Business undergrad background. You’d have to look at each school as to their prerequisites, but I doubt they require students to have taken 3+ levels of Accounting in undergrad.</p>
<p>Hm…it does make sense, but I guess I should’ve mentioned that if I were to go into a graduate Accounting program, I would sit for the CPA; this would change things, correct? I mean, I know all states have their differences, but the basic requirements to sit for the CPA, such as coursework, should be universal throughout the States, if I’m correct.</p>
<p>Sorry for the bump, but I’m still wondering about my question posted earlier:</p>
<p>If Finance majors/graduates use more complex math in their studies, which I assuming will eventually be used in their careers, then why is it said that many accounting graduates can fulfill a finance graduate’s job?</p>
<p>It depends on what the job is. There’s no reason an accountant can’t sell investments, do financial analysis, fill out an excel spreadsheet all day long, do entry-level consulting, or be a banking branch manager. The only way an accountant couldn’t do a finance majors job is if that finance major were to get into something highly quantitative, which is unlikely without a graduate degree.</p>
<p>OminousRun is completely right. dont waste your time getting a business degree, especially since you’ve already taken up to calc 3. get a more quantitative degree like math, stats, or cs and maybe take some business electives if you want. it will be much more valuable, especially if you want to become a trader/quant/or do anything technical on wall street. and like Ominous said, you can always get an MBA</p>
<p>Most of the top MBA programs have between 20-25% of its major coming from Business majors. It is only one discipline, so of course it is not going to comprise the majority of their classes. If you add in economics, then I would bet that number rises to 40%+.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t recommend going for a business degree.</p>
<p>In general, yes. I am technically a “business major” but that is due to how my schools curriculum is set up. I would be an “accounting” major anywhere else.</p>
<p>MBA stats consider marketing, management, accounting, finance, business, etc. all as “Business majors” when they release their statistics on entering classes.</p>
<p>Accounting is a business major.</p>