Math Questions

<p>I’m considering doing a dual BSE/BA with Math and IOE. I will need 5 classes beyond what I’ve already done for the Math major (and 1 more social science or humanities or creative expression class for the dual degree). Three of the classes I’d have to take would be upper levels I’d be interested in taking anyway. </p>

<p>But the other two… They want me to retake Linear Algebra and DiffEq because I didn’t take the right ones I took ones for Engineering majors rather than ones for Math majors. </p>

<p>My math background includes: EECS 203 (so I’ve got sorta an intro to a bunch of topics), Math 423, 451, and 561. </p>

<p>So the questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Is it worth it to retake Linear Algebra and DiffEq to get the math major? Assume that if I didn’t take these I would instead take other classes not adding to another major or minor but would useful on their own.</p></li>
<li><p>Compare and contrast 256, 286, 316, and 404. 404 is the only one I’d get credit for (since I’ve taken 216), but I don’t really like DiffEq anyway. Taking 404 wouldn’t get me out of anything else, it’s just more credits on the pile. </p></li>
<li><p>Compare and contrast 412, 465, and 512. I’m leaning towards 465 but I’m not sure.</p></li>
<li><p>Compare and contrast 425 and 525. I am leaning toward 525 since I think I’ve gone through all/almost all of the 425 curriculum in IOE classes, but I’m not sure. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Any comments guys?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>…</p>

<p>What are you planning on concentrating in (pure math, mathematical sciences, etc)? </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Is it worth it? I don’t know. Ask yourself why you want the math major.</p></li>
<li><p>I think 316 is required for all math majors. Not sure 404 would get you out of taking 316 but I could be wrong.</p></li>
<li><p>You’d only really want to take 512 if you absolutely love math and/or are planning on going to grad school for math.</p></li>
<li><p>Your choice.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>It would be Math Sciences, probably Discrete and Algorithmic Methods, Operations Research and Modeling, or Mathematical Economics track (not that it matters much - there’s a lot of overlap). </p>

<p>They said I could replace 316 with 404 because I had already taken 216 so I cannot get credit for 316. Normally people cannot replace 316 with 404 though. I don’t know if I want to take 404 though anyway, I didn’t like DiffEq the first time I took it.</p>

<p>I’m wondering if adding a math major helps me in anyway. It would also be the thing that gets me a dual degree, so maybe there’s some value in saying I’m a dual degree. I’d like to take all those classes except the DiffEq and Linear Algebra because I’ve already taken very similar classes. The question really is more about whether it’s worth taking 2 classes I wouldn’t take anyway to get the major and dual degree. I’m done with a minor, but I don’t feel like I know anything.</p>

<p>…</p>

<p>Why don’t you make an appointment with a math advisor? I’m sure they would be able to help you much more than I can.</p>

<p>The math adviser basically told me to take all the easiest possible classes…</p>

<p>I was in the same boat for a while… The math department doesn’t like to deviate from their courses too much, however with that being said, they can be strong armed into it. I would compile a list of all your quant courses and come up with a great reason why you don’t have to take DiffEq and LinAlg again. I’m no longer math and don’t remember the courses but maybe one of those classes you listed needed DiffEq as a prereq? Hopefully? Email them back and CC in a few other math advisors, they tend to say some misleading things when alone. Also don’t mention Discrete Math when trying to justify credits. I tried it, they scoffed then laughed.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice Fuzzylogic. Nothing I’ve taken has had prerequisites in DiffEq (well, nothing Math at least) but multiple classes have had Linear Algebra as prerequisites (423 and 561 each list it, and I think it’s an “alternative” prereq to Math 412 for 451). </p>

<p>I wasn’t intending to try to get out of something because of EECS 203, I just mentioned it for the background here.</p>