billman1020

I'm trying to decide between Brown and Dartmouth, and I'm leaning towards Brown, so I'm looking to find out more about the departments I'd expect to take lots of classes in. Can anyone speak to the quality of the Math department, or even the applied math department, at Brown? I sat in on an Intermediate Macro. class and really enjoyed it - are the professors in Econ and Math pretty good across the board? I was also wondering if its possible to double concentrate in Applied Math/Economics AND Mathematics, or if the applied math/econ is looked upon as being as good as both. I've heard really excellent things about the applied math department and I'm pretty much trying to learn why that is, I suppose. It would be perfect if someone has some knowledge of Dartmouth's math department as well, since that's what my decision has come down to! They just built a new building to house their math department too, which is quite alluring and impressive! I wouldn't base my decision on the architecture of the departments of course, though, lol.

Thanks to anyone who helps me out! : )

dcircle

brown has one of the best applied math departments in the country--based mostly on the quality of the faculty (several have won the most prestigious awards in the world in their field). i'm sure you've seen these
Applied Mathematics Department - Brown University
Economics at Brown University | Undergraduate Program

the applied math/econ track may be the most efficient combination of your interests.

as an added bonus, both departments are housed in some of the nicest buildings at brown
photoalbum.htm
Robinson Hall, Fall 2003

billman1020

thanks for the pix circle! I've poked around the department website, never gotten to acutally talk to anyone though - nothing was going on in the applied math building during ADOCH : ( lol.

icebox4

there is a big difference between applied mathematics and mathematics courses at brown.

one is obviously theoretical, orthodox, has emphasis on rigorous proofs. the applied mathematics courses tend to be more computational, in a sense that they'll teach you modern methods to solve mathematical problems (i.e. think something like Newton's Method).

i actually am doing Applied Mathematics + many upper-level Math courses on the side, to cover some theoretical gaps.. but i'm doing it because I might apply to grad school. depending on your interest, the optimal combination might be different. for instance, if your goal is to break into investment banking (and I know slews of AM-Econ kids trying to do so), then it's pointless to do abstract algebra or the likes. (well, you might prove a point that you can handle those stuff, but nothing of practical importance).

hope this helps.