Question regarding Master's Degree in Math

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential career paths available to someone with a Master's Degree in Mathematics, specifically focusing on Statistics. The conversation touches on the participant's personal experiences and preferences regarding biology and its relevance to biostatistics.

Discussion Character

  • Career Guidance, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is considering stopping their studies at the Master's level and is seeking information on career options with a Master's Degree in Mathematics, particularly in Statistics.
  • The same participant expresses a lack of interest in biology, questioning their qualifications for a career in biostatistics.
  • Another participant challenges the notion of disliking a subject without extensive knowledge of it, prompting a clarification about the original poster's negative experiences with biology courses.
  • The original poster notes their limited biology knowledge but wonders if biostatistics is primarily mathematical and whether a strong understanding of biology is necessary for success in that field.
  • A later reply suggests that knowledge in a physical subject is important for working in the sciences and encourages the original poster to consult with professors who apply mathematics to physical problems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects differing views on the necessity of biology knowledge for a career in biostatistics, with some participants emphasizing its importance while others focus on the mathematical aspects.

Contextual Notes

The conversation highlights the participant's personal experiences and preferences, which may influence their career decisions. There is an unresolved question regarding the balance of mathematical skills versus biological knowledge in the field of biostatistics.

CoachZ
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
So, I'm currently attending the University of Kansas as a Graduate Students in the combined M.A./Ph.D program. Essentially, we have the option of stopping once we get a Master's Degree if we choose, which is what I'm currently leaning towards at the moment.

My question also falls under the category of Career Guidance too:

What can you do with a Master's Degree in Mathematics
More specifically, what can you do with a Master's Degree in Statistics, which is where I'm currently leaning.

I've heard of "biostatistics," however I'm not sure I'd be qualified, as I absolutely hate biology and don't know the first thing about it...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How can you hate something you don't know anything about?
 
lubuntu said:
How can you hate something you don't know anything about?

Let me clarify...
Before I was a math major as an undergraduate, I was a pharmacy major, and I took two biology courses, namely Evolutionary Biology and Cell Biology and absolutely hated both courses. So, although my knowledge is fairly miniscule when it comes to biology, my experience with it has not been good thus far... But I'm wondering if biostats is more mathematical than anything else, however do I need to have a substantial understanding of biology to be a good biostatistician?
 
If you want to work in the sciences, you need knowledge in a physical subject. You are a PhD student - why don't you check with professors there who are solving physical problems using mathematics?
 

Similar threads

Studying I need advice for a master's degree in applied physics
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Other Should I Upgrade Graduate Certificate Into Second Masters Degree?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Admissions Getting into a top tier Physics PhD Program with a Masters Degree
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
12K
Studying Should I pursue a masters degree after 4.5 years working in IT?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Can I pursue an MS in astrophysics with a BS in studio art?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Admissions Is it harder to get into a top US PhD Program with a German Master's degree?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
Programs Where did all the “fundamentals-deepening” master’s programs go?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Programs Mathematical/Theoretical Physics MSc with High Teaching Quality
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Applying for a PhD in Physics after a Master's degree
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Programs Is a Dual Master's in Electrical and Systems Engineering Worth It?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K