Questions about an Honours Year in Maths

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I'm considering taking honours next year in statistics with a project in financial mathematics. I'm really looking forward to taking more classes in this area, but I have a couple of worries I'd like to air...

1. How smart do you really have to be? I think I'm above the curve, I can get high distinctions (around 90) when I put in the work, but... the other people I know considering honours are like emerging geniuses... the uni has them running tutorial classes while they're still doing their undergraduate degree... today one of them helped me with an assignment for a subject he's not even taking! I am simply not on this level, and it worries me.

2. How well-rounded in maths do you have to be? I decided a little late that I loved maths, probability & statistics is really the only area I've excelled in and feel like I'm really good at...

3. Bit nervous about taking on the project... am I expected to come up with new ideas or proofs and stuff? I really wouldn't even know where to start... I want to do the honours year because I want to learn more, I don't feel like I'm at a stage where I can do new work...


Thanks in advance for any replies

 

[tmc]

1. Smartness is an odd thing to define, really. If you can understand the material after doing the work, then that's all you need. There will be other students who will understand the material much faster and will have to do less work than you, and there will be students who understand slower than you. You're taking the class for yourself, because you want to learn the material. You're not here to win a prize or beat the competition; you want to learn material. So take the class. And if you really can't handle it, then drop it and read the textbook at your own pace.

2. That really depends on your teacher. Most profs are pretty good at not assuming that their students know unrelated material, so the courses should be pretty much self-contained (especially in pure math courses, where terms will absolutely be redefined anyways to prevent any ambiguities with regards to what means what). If you have a poor teacher who assumes you know a lot of material that you don't, and who doesn't care to explain when you ask, then you might be in trouble.

3. Your supervisor will be doing most of the hard thinking, really. You will probably be required to come up with new ideas and proofs (that's the whole point, really), but the hardest part of research projects is often coming up with the problems to solve, not actually solving them. Coming up with new ideas is the fun part that you should be looking forward to; it's what you'll be doing daily once you get your degree. And if you get stuck, you have access to a supervisor who probably already has a good intuition for how to solve it.

 

[Mene]

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I can understand your concerns and worries about pursuing an Honours year in Maths. I would like to address each of your worries individually:

1. How smart do you really have to be? It is natural to compare yourself to others and feel like you may not be on the same level as your peers. However, it is important to remember that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Just because someone may be excelling in a particular subject does not mean they are automatically smarter than you. What matters most is your dedication, hard work, and passion for the subject. If you are willing to put in the effort, you can definitely succeed in an Honours year in Maths.

2. How well-rounded in maths do you have to be? It is great that you have discovered your love for maths and have excelled in probability and statistics. This shows that you have a strong foundation in the subject. It is not necessary to be well-rounded in all areas of maths to pursue an Honours year. In fact, focusing on a specific area can make you a specialist in that field, which can be beneficial for your project and future career.

3. Bit nervous about taking on the project... am I expected to come up with new ideas or proofs and stuff? The purpose of an Honours year is to provide you with the opportunity to delve deeper into a specific area of maths and conduct your own research project. It is not expected for you to come up with completely new ideas or proofs, but rather to build upon existing knowledge and contribute to the field in your own way. Your supervisor will guide you and provide support throughout the project, so do not feel overwhelmed. Remember, the goal is to learn and develop your skills, not to be perfect from the start.

Overall, an Honours year in Maths can be a challenging and rewarding experience. It will require hard work, dedication, and a passion for the subject. Do not let your worries hold you back from pursuing this opportunity. Trust in your abilities and remember that everyone has their own journey. Good luck!