Mathematics degree - excluding Statistics?

The six modules for the 1st year of a Mathematics BSc consist of four compulsory and two optional modules.

The four compulsory are:

applied:
1. Vector Algebra and Dynamics
2. Waves and Vector Fields

pure:
3. Numbers, Sets and Sequences
4. Analysis and Linear Algebra



The two optional choices are either:

1. Introduction to Probability and Operational Research
2. Statistical Methods

or

1. Foundation Physics 1
2. Foundation Physics 2

or

1. Fundamentals of Programming
2. Programming Challenges


The two statistics modules above are only prerequisites for taking statistics modules in subsequent years, and I’m sure I do not want to take any statistics modules in subsequent years.

So if I took either the two programming or the two physics modules do you think this would have a negative impact of my mathematical knowledge/ability for taking pure or applied modules in subsequent years?

Thank you

What sort of job do you want after you graduate ?

jhegarty said:

What sort of job do you want after you graduate ?

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In all honesty, I don't think I can say with any certainty.

Programming work sounds possibly interesting. I know nothing about it, though apparently the two programming modules start from the beginning.

The two programming modules permit the choice of computer science modules in subsequent years, in which case the degree would be Mathematics with Computer Science.

The two physics modules permit the choice of physics modules in subsequent years in which case the degree would be either Mathematics with Physics or alternatively Theoretical Physics.

Or if only pure and applied maths modules are chosen in subsequent years then the degree remains a Mathematics BSc. That is, even if programming or physics modules were taken in the 1st year.

I suppose I was thinking, since I don't really fancy taking statistics modules later on, then at least if I had taken either physics or programming in year 1 it at least allows more choice later on.

Though to answer the question again, I'm not entirely sure.

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Why are you so "anti" statistics.
It seems the most commonly used part of high level maths, in my workplace at least. No one can sneeze without a statistician.

I liked maths and statistics seems an interesting side of it, particularly when applied to real world issues.

Which third level institution are you discussing?

And as Momah has stated why the aversion to statistics?

Mommah said:

Why are you so "anti" statistics.
It seems the most commonly used part of high level maths, in my workplace at least. No one can sneeze without a statistician.

I liked maths and statistics seems an interesting side of it, particularly when applied to real world issues.

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I suppose everyone likes certain aspects of topics more than other aspects. I know I like applied & pure maths. Statistics; I'm not so sure. Perhaps I don't yet know enough about the topic.

I think my reasoning was if I were to choose the two programming modules then that leaves open the option to choose more computer science modules in subsequent years. I don't know if I would do this, but it allows this option. If CS modules were chosen in later years the degree would then be a Mathematics with Computer Science BSc.

I was also thinking (rightly or wrongly?) perhaps there's a lot more work available in computing than in statistics. It certainly seems to be the case when looking at recruitment websites.

Statistics are pervasive in modern society..even within computing. think medical trials, opinion polls, meteorology etc.

Here is a story about a geological statistician who cracked the lotto scratch card game which was trending on twitter yesterday. In his day job he looks at the gold concentration in spatially distributed samples and determines where the best place to prospect.

Cracking the Scratch Lottery Code | Magazine - Wired.com

ajapale said:

Which third level institution are you discussing?

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Being objective, there is an order of magnitude more work purely requiring computer skills than there is purely requiring statistical skills. I agree an appreciation of statistics is generally important and am glad I did a year of it as an undergraduate years ago. But I feel that anyone with decent mathematical abilities should be able to absorb enough statistics in their spare time to be able to use it as a tool in a professional career outside of specialized roles like actuarial work and the like. I do not feel that the same applies to software development. And in case I'm accused of bias, statistics is a significant part of what I currently do professionally.