Is Applied Mathematics the Right Path for Me?

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The discussion centers on a South African student contemplating a course in applied mathematics after completing high school with Cambridge qualifications. The student expresses uncertainty about their mathematical abilities and seeks advice on whether they can handle university-level mathematics, while also showing interest in physics and human genetics. Participants suggest that applied mathematics, along with computer science, offers strong career prospects, particularly in engineering and technology fields. They emphasize that enjoyment of the subject is important and that it's common for students to change their focus during their studies. The student inquires about job opportunities with a degree in applied mathematics, questioning the necessity of advanced qualifications like a master's or PhD and whether their future job would be directly related to mathematics. Overall, the conversation highlights the balance between passion for science and practical career considerations in the fields of applied mathematics and related disciplines.
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Hi All

I'm sure you get a lot of questions like this one, so I apologise if its more of the same. I've done a bit of a search, but I didn't find anything which really answered my question. I'm a south african student finishing my final year of high school with Cambridge (this means I can't tell you any SAT scores or similar)

I'm considering a course in applied mathematics next year, but I've never been terribly brilliant with maths. I've found that I've enjoyed it this year especially and I've done quite a decent course in maths. I'm just not sure whether I'll be able to cope with a University maths course. Do you have any advice for me to help me decide whether I've got what it takes? I'm also interested in physics, but applied maths seems to be more useful in the real world and combines some physics with maths. I'm not too worried about how much I'll earn after studying, but I have wondered whether a job using applied maths (I would do a computer science course too) would be financially viable, or whether go with my other choice which is human genetics?

Any advice would be very appreciated!
Thanks
 
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If your looking for a career go into engineering or computer science. If you want a life for the love of science then go into physics or human genetics. Don't worry about the math part. I'm no mathematician either but I did fine. Go and apply and start school. If you decide to change your focus along the way there's nothing wrong with that, people do it all the time.
 
Topher925 said:
If your looking for a career go into engineering or computer science. If you want a life for the love of science then go into physics or human genetics.
Well, I'm not necessarily looking for a career, but it would be nice to be able to support a family and feed myself (so that I can carry on enjoying the Math, haha) ;)
What type of work can one get with a degree in applied math? I mean its all great to enjoy the science, but no one's going to pay for you to do that, if you know what I mean. I do enjoy mathematics, but I'm wondering if there are work opportunities. What level of qualification would I need? Masters? Phd? And would my job land up being something completely unrelated to maths, or could I actually get a job modelling etc in my field?
Thanks again!
 

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