Computational Mathematics

[icy_wind03]

I have a quick question. I have recently been accepted for computational mathematics and computer science at Waterloo. I am not sure what the difference is and which one would be easier to get a job in in the future. Im not exactly sure what career I want to go into but I am interested in cryptology. Can anyone give me more details about what the difference would be? Thanks.

[Brightguy]

I'd do what Tony does and compare the requirements for Computational Mathematics and Computer Science.

There is a lot of course overlap, especially in the early years. Honestly the Comp Math courses are just a grab-bag selection from AMATH, CO, CS and STAT (and one PMATH), so there is breadth (if not depth) across the math faculty. On the other hand many of the Comp Sci courses are exclusive to CS majors, though you can often get in from CM anyway. Also CS has more restrictive requirements on the non-math courses you must take.

[gvc]

Computational Math is indeed a grab bag. You probably want to major in either computer science or combinatorics and optimization, and take the courses for majors to the extent that your program allows you. If you start in math, you can switch to CS, provided you take cs135/135 or cs145 and your grades are good. And you can switch from CS to math as well. In summary, your course selection in 1st year is probably more important than the program you're in.

[icy_wind03]

Quote:

I'd do what Tony does and compare the requirements for Computational Mathematics and Computer Science.

I have looked at them Im just not quite sure what they mean.

And is comp math being a grab bag a bad thing?

[Brightguy]

icy_wind03 @ Sat Feb 20, 2010 2:23 pm wrote:

I have looked at them Im just not quite sure what they mean.

We've found a flaw in your plan, Tony! Maybe you can elaborate on the confusion...

icy_wind03 @ Sat Feb 20, 2010 2:23 pm wrote:

And is comp math being a grab bag a bad thing?

Maybe someone else will be able to give you a more definitive answer, but I think the main thing is that you enjoy your program, and I suppose there is something to be said for both breadth and depth.

Personally I was disappointed in the amount of PMATH in CM, so I took PMATH courses on the side, which really spread out my courses. (When I graduated I had about half a dozen from each of AMATH, CO, CS, PMATH and STAT, which made applying for a PhD tricky.) I enjoyed them all, but for example some of the STAT 400s were, to me, pretty useless, and would've ideally been something else. Had I been in CS maybe I could say something similar, I don't know.

[icy_wind03]

Okay, well thanks anyways:)