<p>Calc 1-3
Foundations of Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Elementary Real Analysis
Intro to Abstract Algebra
Probability and Statistics I (maybe II)
Linear Programming
Nonlinear Programming
Numerical Methods
Methods of Applied Statistics
<em>maybe</em> Differential Equations</p>
<p>Stats:
Calc I-III
Linear Algebra
Prob and Stats I-II
Methods of Applied Statistics
Applied Regression and Design
Time Series Analysis
Stat Elective
Stat Elective
Stat Elective</p>
<p>(electives include: Analysis of Variance, Advanced Data Analysis, Real Analysis, Statistical Computing, Qualitative Data, etc.)</p>
<p><em>maybe</em> Differential Equations.</p>
<p>I also know C++.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what I want to do after graduation, but I'm also majoring in econ. At the same time I'm not entirely sure I want to do an Econ Ph.D in the future, so I'm not a stickler on completing all of the necessary math classes for an econ Ph.D. </p>
<p>In a very general sense, which path seems more useful? I'm a little nervous on missing out on the regression and time series classes if I go the math path. Are my worries unfounded?</p>
<p>I think you should go with the pure math sequence. You can take a regression course or a time series course as an elective.
And an undergrad stats degree isn’t looked upon nearly as favorably as an undergrad pure math degree.</p>
<p>How on earth is that true, aluminium_boat? It seems to me that a probability/inference background would be much more useful to anyone doing business/financial/economic/psychological/sociological analysis. Pure math is, like, totally useless (although very interesting), besides the obvious problem solving orientation. </p>
<p>A math major who’s hobbies are programming and data analysis could probably do very well, but a stat major who’s hobbies are math and people skills could do much better, imo.</p>
<p>Because nothing is more useful in life than a rigorous background in critical thinking.</p>
<p>I’m sure this has been discussed plenty on the internet. If you can’t find it on Google, I’ll post more. But I’m sure you can.</p>
<p>If a pure math major can code and has people skills and a stats major can code and has people skills, the pure math major wins.
It’s just seen as a more difficult courseload and it’s therefore looked upon better.</p>
<p>And most pure math majors take courses in probability, econ, CS anyway. So it’s not one or the other.</p>
<p>If there is an applied mathematics major at your institution, then I would major in that instead of pure mathematics. </p>
<p>However, if that option isn’t available and if you are planning to go to grad school, then I think the pure mathematics route would be best. If you are planning to find employment right away after undergrad, then I suggest you major in statistics.</p>
<p>The applied mathematics option at my institution (concentration) essentially encompasses the courses I listed under math in my initial post with Differential Equations as a required course. In all honesty, it seems like the stats major is very similar to the applied math concentration.</p>
<p>No, I don’t believe a statistics degree carries less weight than a mathematics degree. However, one can argue that a Bachelor’s degree in statistics is more employable right out of college than a Bachelor’s degree in pure mathematics.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the only glaring difference between a pure math degree and an applied math degree is how much junior/senior analysis (or advanced calculus) and abstract algebra is required (or taken).</p>
<p>In most schools (that offer pure and applied math options), the pure math option REQUIRES a whole year sequence of Analysis/Advanced Calculus/Real Analysis plus a whole year sequence of Abstract Algebra. The applied math option may require just one semester of Analysis/Advanced Calculus/Real Analysis and/or one semester of Abstract Algebra. In other words, just a little bit of theoretical mathematics. Most applied math programs will ask for Complex Analysis, except for the computational math or math/computer science paths of applied math…which will ask for numerical analysis, several CS courses and maybe some STAT courses.</p>
<p>As for the Statistics major, the first thing to realize is that not many schools have Statistics as a separate major. In many cases Statistics is an option of the Math major. I would not say that a Statistics major carries considerably less weight on paper than a Math degree but it is more specialized.</p>
<p>As for how one should construct their undergrad major in Statistics, I will say the following (since half of my graduate engineering degree consists of graduate Statistics courses). Pay attention to the various graduate certificate programs in Statistics…there are a lot of them. There seems to be a “pattern” in which courses make these graduate certificates in Statistics:</p>
<p>Probability Theory
Mathematics Statistics
Design of Experiments (aka Experimental Design)
Statistical Quality Control
Stochastic Processes
Simulation</p>
<p>Right now with the explosion of Big Data, it may not be a bad idea to take a Computational Statistics/Statistical Computing course…especially if the course uses ‘R’.</p>
<p>Both require the following upper division math courses:</p>
<p>Mathematics 104 Introduction to Analysis
Mathematics 110 Linear Algebra
Mathematics 113 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
Mathematics 185 Introduction to Complex Analysis</p>
<p>Each requires four additional upper division math (or related) courses, most of which are electives or semi electives (applied math requires Mathematics 128A Numerical Analysis as one of the four additional).</p>
<p>I can see a Berkeley or MIT requiring both Abstract Algebra and Analysis for an applied math degree but most schools will ask for one or the other…and usually it is some type of Analysis course.</p>
<p>Alaink,</p>
<p>Today, Stats is not a bad major to take. Of course, I would squeeze in a minor in CS just for a backup plan.</p>