Looking for info on UC Santa Cruz Mathematics

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The discussion centers around the experiences and considerations of first-year community college students planning to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for a degree in Computational Mathematics. Participants express interest in the program's structure, noting that it requires two courses from other departments, which raises concerns about its adequacy for preparing students for graduate school in mathematics. One participant shares their current coursework, including Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, and reflects on the general sentiment that the quality of undergraduate education often depends on individual effort rather than the institution's prestige. There is also curiosity about the career paths of UCSC math graduates, although firsthand experiences with the math department are limited.
ruso
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Hello,

I'm currently a 1st year 2nd semester California CC student planning to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for math (specifically Computational Mathematics).

I was wondering if anyone here has any experience of the department or anything that you wanted to share about it.

Thanks.
 
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You sound like in my situation as well, I am a first year second semester Community College student as well. What math course are you in right now? I am currently deciding which UC to transfer to myself. UCSC is high on the list. Their Computational math program is a BA with some interesting major requirements that include 2 courses from other departments (must be approved). The down fall I see with this option and one reason I am hesitant to go to UCSC is because I feel like It will not prepare me for math graduate school as well. Though I am sure you can always take more courses. Have you had the chance to visit UCSC?
 
TheKracken said:
You sound like in my situation as well, I am a first year second semester Community College student as well. What math course are you in right now? I am currently deciding which UC to transfer to myself. UCSC is high on the list. Their Computational math program is a BA with some interesting major requirements that include 2 courses from other departments (must be approved). The down fall I see with this option and one reason I am hesitant to go to UCSC is because I feel like It will not prepare me for math graduate school as well. Though I am sure you can always take more courses. Have you had the chance to visit UCSC?

Finished Calc 2 last semester (was able to skip Calc 1 with Calc AB) and right now I'm taking Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (2 separate courses at my school).

I've had the same thoughts as you about grad school prep. Though from what I've seen in PF, most people say that undergrad is what you make of it and even if you don't go to a top school it shouldn't matter too much. But I'm also interested in what UCSC math majors did after graduation.

I visited a friend that goes to UCSC (he's a CS major though) but I didn't get to go to the math department since I was looking more toward physics at the time.
 
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