Is Pursuing a Degree in Mathematics the Right Choice for Me?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations and concerns of a high school student contemplating a degree in mathematics. Participants share their experiences and advice regarding university programs, the nature of studying mathematics, and the challenges that may arise in higher education.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses anxiety about the competitiveness of the mathematics program and the requirement of 12 full math courses for an Honours Degree.
  • Another participant suggests that the student should not worry about graduate school at this stage, emphasizing that interests may evolve by the end of their undergraduate studies.
  • A different viewpoint posits that if the student is questioning their choice, it may indicate that pursuing mathematics is not the right path for them.
  • A current math student advises that genuine interest in mathematics, beyond just completing homework, is crucial for success at the university level.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential challenges of advanced mathematics courses, with a humorous remark about the difficulty of dissertations in General Relativity.
  • Participants inquire about the specific universities the student is considering, with mentions of the University of Toronto and York University, highlighting their respective strengths.
  • One participant notes that the University of Toronto has impressive facilities and resources, while another emphasizes the reputation of the University of Waterloo for its mathematics faculty.
  • There is a light-hearted exchange regarding the pressures of studying mathematics and historical references to famous mathematicians and their challenges.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of encouragement and caution regarding the pursuit of a mathematics degree. While some emphasize the importance of genuine interest and effort, others raise concerns about the competitiveness and challenges of the field. No consensus is reached on whether the student should pursue mathematics based solely on their initial doubts.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the subjective nature of interest and aptitude in mathematics, which may vary widely among individuals. The conversation reflects differing opinions on the perceived difficulty of various university programs and the personal experiences that shape these views.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students considering a degree in mathematics, current mathematics students, and individuals interested in the challenges and experiences associated with studying mathematics at the university level.

Serbian.matematika
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I am currently in grade 12, Ontario , Canada.
I took all three maths for grade 12;
Calculus
Data Management Math
Geometry and discrete Math

I just accepted offer of admission 1st year Bachelor of Arts and/or Science Mathematics Program at the prestiges university here in Ontario.

I visited this particular university (open house) and one of the math professors says; looked this classroom and if all of you register into math program only 1 from 9 applicants will be accepted

Well, well, now I worry will I be able to pass my math courses. I need 12 full math courses to get Honours Degree in Math.

Every suggestions are very welcome. Thank you all.
 
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hey there Serb, Welcome to physics forums. I suggest you don't worry about graduate school as of yet. You're only in grade 12, you'll see if you really want to do something like grad school by the time youre 21 or 22 (your last uni. years). What school do you want to go to for math? I am just curious since I attned U of Waterloo for Mech Eng.

Regards,

Nenad
 
i kind of think if you have to ask, the answer is no. i may be wrong but i always felt math was people who will not be deined.
 
I'm actually a math student in Ontario right now. What universities are you looking at?

If you really like math, and you understand the high school material (and by "understand," I don't just mean that you can do all of the questions. You have to be interested in how the things you learn work), and you find yourself doing math in your spare time for fun (and again, by "doing math," I of course am NOT referring to doing a bunch of homework problems. I don't think I did a single math homework problem in my last two years of high school, because they were all boring calculation-based problems. Mathematics isn't calculation), then you'll probably like it a whole lot more at university level.

Don't be intimidated too much by the prospect of going to university. If you like what you're doing and are willing to spend time on it (and are reasonably good at it!) then you'll be perfectly fine.
 
Last edited:
Data said:
Don't be intimidated too much by the prospect of going to university. If you like what you're doing and are willing to spend time on it (and are reasonably good at it!) then you'll be perfectly fine.

Try telling that to a student getting a dissertation in General Relativity.
 
What is your primary language?
 
Chronos, as you can see English language is not my primary language :cry:
 
What universities are you looking at?
 
Data said:
What universities are you looking at?

York University in Toronto, and
University of Toronto
 
  • #10
Ahh. I visited those when I was looking, but decided to stay in Ottawa (over Waterloo even!). UofT has very impressive facilities, and more money in general than any other university in the country. Its math department is more than adequate for undergraduate work. I don't know too much about York unfortunately (I did visit it, but my visit was actually to go to a conference, not to investigate its math department, unfortunately).

As I said before, as long as you're willing to put time into it, and you like what you're studying, and you have at least some aptitude for it, you won't have any trouble (and I will qualify that a bit better this time: you won't have any trouble, at least for the first year or two! Noone will tell you that math/science programs are easy, once you get to more complex and abstract material, but challenge certainly shouldn't be a reason not to pursue them, as long as you know you like the subject)
 
  • #11
dont worry about it. If its not Waterloo, its easy, lol. U of T is a good math school, but I would take Waterloo over it any day. It has the Largest Math Faculty in the world.

Regards,

Nenad
 
  • #12
Thank you Data and Nenad. I guess I have to try it first to see how it really is.

**Nenad watchout (pazi se), Einstein's and Mileva's son was so smart that he went crazy (salim se).
 
  • #13
Serbian.matematika said:
Thank you Data and Nenad. I guess I have to try it first to see how it really is.

**Nenad watchout (pazi se), Einstein's and Mileva's son was so smart that he went crazy (salim se).

I heard that he was a prof or hydraulis systems at Berkley. I ahd no idea that he went crazy.

Regards,
Nenad
 

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