Math M.S in Applied Mathematics vs M.S in Statistics?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the comparison between pursuing an M.S. in Applied Mathematics versus an M.S. in Statistics for a Chemistry major with a Math minor. The individual expresses a preference for Applied Math due to its perceived broader applicability in real-life scenarios, despite concerns about job marketability and pay. Statisticians are noted to have a wide range of employment opportunities across various industries, while Applied Mathematics may face challenges in job search due to its less defined role in the market. The participant is considering programs like SUNY Stony Brook's M.S. in Applied Math with a concentration in Statistics, which may offer flexibility in electives and career paths. Ultimately, the choice of program should align with personal interests and the types of companies that recruit from those programs.
yg7s7
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I'm a Chemistry major with Math minor. After graduation I want to work for a few years and go to grad school for a career change. Throughout my undergrad years I somehow lost interest in Chemistry and now like Math a lot better (courses such as Differential Eq, PDE). First thing that came to my mind was getting one of the two, but now I'm leaning toward Applied Math because I'm just not familiar with Stats and it feels too specified. Also Applied Math seems to have broader use in real life, though I'm not sure.

So how do they compare in terms of marketability and pay?

What worries me is that when I googled "M.S in Applied Mathematics" nothing much showed up, though NJIT's program seems nice. It accepts Science majors and have low GPA threshold (lol).
http://math.njit.edu/docs/ms-appmathbrochure.pdf

Other things:
I don't want to go into teaching.
I'm not interested in pure math.
Also not interested in getting a Ph.D

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Statisticians, especially statisticians with an interest in industrial processes, can find employment in a broad swath of industry. This is a narrow skill, but one that is used everywhere. Applied math can be broader, but it is likely you find it more difficult to seek employment because very few companies have need of applied mathematicians. They may need your skills, but they will call it something else.

Here is the website of an applied mathematician. http://www.johndcook.com/ He works for M. D. Anderson cancer center in Houston, TX. His specialty is software to help design clinical trials for cancer drugs. Thus he is in fact doing statistics, and programming, but he sees it as applied mathematics.
 
^Ahh thanks for the reply. Right now I'm looking at SUNY Stony Brook's M.S Applied Math with concentration in Statistics. Not sure if it's same as getting M.S in Statistics though.
 
http://www.ams.sunysb.edu/STAT/STATHome.shtml
This seems like a reasonably applied program. You could probably take it in a number of directions with your electives. I would consider this degree program pretty similar to a number of MS Statistics programs I have seen. A good practice is to check and see what companies recruit from this program, and see whether you would want to work for one of them.

AMS 507 Introduction to Probability
AMS 510 Analytical Methods for Applied Mathematics and Statistics
AMS 570 Mathematical Statistics I
AMS 572 Data Analysis
AMS 573 Design and Analysis of Categorical Data
AMS 578 Regression
AMS 582 Design of Experiments
+ 3 electives
 
Hello, I graduated from undergrad a few years ago with a Major in Physics and minor in Electrical Engineering. I tried to get experience working on and testing circuits through my professor who studied Neutrinos, however covid caused the opportunity to go away and I graduated with no experience or internships. I have attempted to break into the engineering industry with no success. Right now I am considering going for a Masters in Electrical Engineering and I need advice on if this would be...
I don't know if anyone on here works for any of the well known defense companies of your country, whichever country you are from?? Also, if you choose to work in one, do you think the engineering education provide from your school would adequately prepare you for the job. What do I mean by that? Well if you work at say Lockheed Martin and you work in the latest iteration of a missile or if you work at Pratt & Whitney, they assign you to work in the team helping out with building the jet...

Similar threads

Back
Top