Math major can I really do anything?

[TheKracken]

Hello, so recently I have developed a very strong interest in Biology and have been in a debate with my self if I should continue of the track I am on currently ( transferring this next year to UC Santa Cruz for applied math major) or if I should follow my interests in biology and wait another year so I can go to UCSC for their bioinformatics major.

The bioinformatics major has way more requirements and would require me to take 5 semesters of chem ( since I didn't take any in high school I have to take an intro course) and 2 semesters of biology and some computer science classes. But the curriculum seems extremely interesting.

SO...The question is, with a math degree, can I keep computational biology/neuroscience/bioinformatics graduate schools a strong possibility? If I go the math degree route I won't be able to take many bio related classes if I want to graduate on time.

 

[TheKracken]

Anyone have any advice?

 

[Arsenic&Lace]

There are plenty of professors in applied mathematics who work on biology problems. The professor who taught my applied PDE's course worked on the system of PDE's which describe the potential across neurons (if I recall correctly).

The key is to identify what kind of work you'd like to do and see if there are applied math researchers who are doing it. If you find researchers in engineering, biophysics, bioinformatics etcs who are doing what you think is interesting, email them and find out if an applied math major would be enough to get into a graduate program working for them.

I've seem numerous cases where a student worked for a professor in a different department, say engineering, while pursuing a physics degree, so it's not inconceivable that such an arrangement is within the realm of possibility.

 

[Rocket50]

At my university, I know a lot of people doing a math specialist degree who are planning to go into physics or biology. However, those looking at biology do tend to take a couple of biology courses in the undergrad (which may require a couple of semesters of chemistry).

 

[Matrix0]

I understand the importance of following your passions and interests in your academic pursuits. While a math degree may not seem directly related to biology, it can actually open up many opportunities in the field of computational biology, neuroscience, and bioinformatics.

Mathematics is a fundamental tool in these fields, and having a strong foundation in math can greatly enhance your understanding and ability to work with complex biological data and models. In fact, many graduate programs in these areas often prefer applicants with a strong math background.

Additionally, with the rise of big data and the increasing use of computational methods in biology, having a math degree can make you a valuable asset in a variety of research and industry settings. You may even find that your math skills give you a unique perspective and approach to solving biological problems.

That being said, if your passion truly lies in biology and you are willing to put in the extra time and effort to complete the requirements for the bioinformatics major, then it may be worth considering. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal interests and goals, and I encourage you to explore both options further and choose the path that feels right for you.