Math, St. John's University (queens) vs City Collge (nyc)

[srfriggen]

I live in Long Island and will be pursuing a master's degree in math.

City College and St. John's University are two schools I am considering. (My commute to St. John's would be MUCH easier, which isn't the most important factor of course, but is one to consider.)

Anyone have any advice/information about the two schools?

 

[story645]

Look at Queens College? It's nearish to St. Johns so the commutes not bad. As for math. what are you planning to go into? Most every cuny specializes in one sort of math or the other and caters their course offerings that way. City has a few courses in finance/math/stats, but not that many. Compare the CUNY bulletins to find stuff that interests you or you'll find you've taken everything the dept. offers by your third year (which isn't so bad 'cause then you can always dive into the masters courses.)

 

[srfriggen]

Look at Queens College? It's nearish to St. Johns so the commutes not bad. As for math. what are you planning to go into? Most every cuny specializes in one sort of math or the other and caters their course offerings that way. City has a few courses in finance/math/stats, but not that many. Compare the CUNY bulletins to find stuff that interests you or you'll find you've taken everything the dept. offers by your third year (which isn't so bad 'cause then you can always dive into the masters courses.)

I'm actually taking my undergrad courses at Queens College now. I already have a BA (in economics from Villanova University, class of '04), so for the past year and a half I've taken diff calc, integral calc, and am finishing up linear algebra and multivariable calc.

I kinda needed to see how I would do in those courses before I could tell if math was just going to be a hobby or a career. My grades are flawless so now my eyes are fixing on grad schools.

I'm meeting with a graduate advisor for QC next week, so I will have more info on that.

The reason I gravitated toward City College was that they only required the 4 courses I mentioned before acceptance into the graduate program. However, after acceptance I would be required to take 1 full year of advanced calculus (which I know is a misnomer, but their "advanced calculus" is a rigorous year of real analysis focusing on theory and proofs).

So the dilemma is, if I decide City College is where I want to be eventually, then I need to apply for that advanced calc course asap, so I can at least complete half of it before applying to their grad school.

however, that specific course is not necessary for many other schools, so why sign up for it if I'm not going to finish it (Say I do go to st. johns grad school in the spring.)

Also, you asked what type of math I would like to study. The answer is, I would like to get a feel for pure math, however I have always had an affinity for the natural sciences and would like a background in math as well as a program that would allow me to complete some physics courses that interest me, or perhaps use my (future) ability in math to segue into a field in physics.

so different question... Regardless of where I choose I will not be applying for acceptance to a grad school until the fall. Can you (anyone else chime in here as well) tell me what other courses I should add to my core to help me in grad school regardless of a specific field of study? I was thinking I should continue with a more advanced linear algebra course, and possibly differential equations? Anything other courses someone applying to a masters program should DEFINITELY have?

(of course, keep in mind most schools will accept me to their grad school program and allow a grace period where I can take undergraduate courses to "catch up" before earning credits for my masters degree, so I don't have to complete all my undergrad courses before applying)