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Oct 9, 2016 · While both statistics and calculus are demanding courses, AP Calculus is generally considered the more challenging of the two options, and AP Calculus BC is especially rigorous. Math Beyond High School and College: The Real World and Careers. Beyond impressing college admissions committees, it is a good idea to think about how the math options ...
- What’s Covered
- Reasons For Majoring in Math
- What You Can Expect to Learn as A Math Major
- How to Find A Good School For Math
- How to Increase Admission Chances For Prospective Math Majors
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. You’ve enjoyed math so far.
Perhaps the most obvious, though commonly overlooked, reason you’d want to major in math is simply if you like it. You’ve probably encountered this subject throughout your life, whether in the form of basic counting, algebraic equations, or even an AP Calculus class. At this point, your familiarity with the subject has probably allowed you to form an opinion on it, or at least some idea of where it ranks amongst the other subjects you’ve taken over the years. If you’ve enjoyed almost every ma...
2. The world is becoming increasingly quantitative.
From a pragmatic perspective, the world is more quantitative than ever, with an increasing demand for people who are skilled at quantitative problem solving – and math is fundamentally about solving problems. In general, being able to understand the world from a more quantitative perspective is a really big plus to majoring in math. There are also many fields tangential to math that are really important right now, such as computer science, physics, and engineering. Even if your goal is to go...
3. You want to explore math research and academia.
And finally, you might want to major in math… to learn more math! If you’re interested in research mathematics and math academia, that is absolutely a great reason to major in the subject. The concepts you’ll learn as you progress through degree programs will build upon each other, and so focusing on having a solid foundation early on will prepare you for success in future endeavors.
Getting started: calculus
Whether you’re considering majoring in math or absolutely set on it, it’s important to get an understanding of the student experience. The topics you learn in classes will form an integral part of your college experience, and even though you may not understand all of the math-related jargon yet, just hearing about these concepts can inform your future research into the math major. By the time you graduate high school, you will probably have taken some form of calculus; but if not, you’ll usua...
Linear algebra and differential equations
The next two concepts you’re almost certainly going to encounter are linear algebra and differential equations. Linear algebra is the study of what are called linear transformations, linear referring to lines, but in higher dimensions. If that sounds abstract, know that linear algebra shows up all over the place: in physics, engineering, and computer science. It’s a really important fundamental class with far-reaching implications across all of these subjects. Many schools will offer two diff...
Abstract mathematics and proofs
You may have started to learn about proofs if you’ve taken Geometry at the high school level. In college, and depending on what your background is or the school you go to, you may take a Discrete Mathematics class or an Intro to Proofs class. Proof is this very special fundamentally mathematical idea of being able to show that something is true and there is no other possibility. In any experimental science, we can get data, and have facts, but there’s always the idea that maybe this isn’t the...
Once you decide if you’re studying math, it’s important to consider where you want to pursue the subject. Not all higher education institutions are created equal, and the different cultural norms and resources at each will influence your academic and social experience. Above all, you want to do research into specific factors related to your learnin...
In this section, we’ll discuss what you can be doing right now to both prepare yourself for a math major and make yourself a stronger candidate in the eyes of the admissions office.
What are ideal extracurriculars for success in math and computer science? The more that you experience the problem solving aspects of math, the better your grasp of the subject and the easier it will be to convey that to admissions officers. Particularly, self-studying through a text that’s about proof or problem-solving more than just computing in...
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What classes should I take if I'm a math major?
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Jun 17, 2019 · The most important element to keep in mind is that the class you choose should challenge you and stretch your skills without sacrificing your GPA. Beyond challenging yourself, Peck points to a ...
- Caroline Duda
- Contributor
Sep 14, 2023 · Undergraduate Degrees for Math. Undergraduate degree pathways for math majors include: AA or AS degree in math. BA or BS degree in pure math or applied math. Students who want a math-rich curriculum could also opt to pursue an undergraduate degree in other STEM fields, in lieu of mathematics: Physics. Chemistry.
Apr 13, 2023 · Finite Math: Finite math refers to a variety of math courses that do not involve calculus. These types of course typically cover topics such as linear algebra and probability. This type of math is often used in business and the social sciences. Finite math classes are often a good option for students who want to avoid calculus.
It’s awesome if you can wake up at 8 a.m. everyday and go to the earliest possible classes…but most people are not like that. Be realistic with your self based on your social schedule and habits about what class times and workloads actually work for you. There’s nothing wrong with having your day start at noon! 3.
