mariogs379

Hmm...I've looked into biostats some, but think I'd like trying to figure out how to model diseases mathematically...is there a way I can get more info on this? For what it's worth, I have no bio background. I think Probability Theory makes sense but am not sure how to go about picking the second. Seems like it's hard to know if you'll like algebra/analysis without just taking it. Any thoughts on how to figure this out? Thanks again guys, Ben

Hey guys, Background: School: Liberal Arts College (freshman year), transferred to Columbia Major: History GPA: 3.93 Relevant Coursework: Calc 2 (A), Mulitvariable (A), Linear Algebra (B+), Differential Equations (A), Intro Micro (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Game Theory (pass/fail) I currently work at a bulge-bracket bank (think JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, etc.) in convertible bonds origination within investment banking. It's definitely the most quantitative banking group my firm offers. Questions: So I'm planning on quitting my current job after my 1st year and am trying to plan out what to do next. My biggest frustration(s) now are that my group isn't that quantitative so I feel like my skills there aren't really being put to use. More importantly, I just don't care about the work that much. Lowering a company's cost of capital with a convertible bond can be a somewhat interesting problem but, at the end of the day, it's not that gratifying...just seems like there are so many more important problems out there. So here are my questions: 1) Given that I want to do more quantitative work that I think is valuable, what would be worth checking out? I've looked into biomath and some cryptography. Seems like the work you do in biomath supports a more important cause than crypto, but I think I'd like the day-to-day work more involved in crypto. To be fair, I'm just researching/reading about these fields now and don't know very much. 2) I'm planning on going to grad school starting in Fall 2013 but realize I need a stronger math background to make my application more competitive. What classes would make the most sense given that my interests are broadly in applied math? I was thinking I would do two or three non-degree classes in Fall 2012 to boost my profile; was thinking I'd do Probability Theory and then one or two others. What might make sense? Analysis, algebra, an optimization class? 3) What types of programs should I look into? Given that my background after the non-degree classes will be pretty broad I thought an applied math program made the most sense and I could make a more informed choice about what to specialize in later. Thoughts? Thanks for all your help on this guys, much appreciated, Mariogs

They might accept me for their bachelor's and let me skip the first year? So would I be doing an MS or another B.A.? It seems like, if you've done linear algebra (proof-based) in the US...algebra 2 is the next one in line, yeah?

Thanks for the responses, @sD, Can you take a look on UCL's website (the link I provided)? It's not clear that algebra 2 at UCL is going to give me good enough background in algebra. I've taken a proof-based course on linear algebra in the US, so I'm a bit lost on the algebra front is all. I think I'm really going to like probability so I want to take that. I'll take analysis in the spring and then maybe abstract algebra (given that the algebra class at UCL might be more like a second course in linear algebra...) What do you think? Also, after I graduate, how competitive do you think my profile will be: multivariable ODEs linear algebra probability algebra 2 (2nd course in linear it seems like) analysis Thanks so much, Mariogs

Hey there, Well I'm not a math major and I got into UCL's philosophy dept. Having said that, I can take up to 2 non-phil classes so I'll do that. Thoughts on which they should be? I'm sort of resigned to the fact that I won't be a competitive applicant until after I graduate from college...yeah? Also, any thoughts on the benefits of applying to masters programs vs. phd ones? Seems like phd is better because I wouldn't have to pay, some offer terminal master's if you wanna leave, and...eh? Thanks

Hey guys, Thanks for the responses. I'm still trying to figure out coursework. I'm going abroad in the fall to University College London and can have my pick of classes there. Complex analysis is not offered in the spring at my school, but real analysis, algebra, and number theory all are. It seems like it would make sense to take probability and algebra 2 at UCL (here's the link: http://www.ucl.ac.uk...ses/index.html) and then real analysis in the spring. Number theory assumes abstract algebra and it's not clear to me that algebra 2 covers rings and fields (which you need for number theory at my school)...My school also uses herstein for algebra, so that's pretty rough going... Any more advice would be awesome (and probability requires multivariable calc) Mariogs P.S. Can't take summer classes; doing an internship

Hey guys, I'm a junior philosophy major who's interested in pursuing graduate work. Here's my profile: Top 20 LAC (only here for my first year) GPA: 3.83 Intro phil (A), Contemporary moral issues (A) Columbia GPA: 3.92 Phil of religion (A), Environmental Ethics (A), Rational Belief (A), Phil of Science (TBD...possibly getting a b, grad seminar on phil of education (pass), phil of mind (pass) I haven't taken logic yet, but I have taken multivariable calc, differential equations, and linear algebra so I'm hoping adcoms will realize that I'm a logical thinker despite not having taken a formal logic class (although linear algebra does go over truth tables and obviously proofs). I know job prospects are brutal for phil PhDs so I want to go to as good a grad school as possible. I have a couple strong contacts at Columbia who I think are good philosophers...fairly well known, etc. What do you guys think? Seems like Harvard/Princeton/MIT/NYU/Pitt/WashU are all insanely competitive and I might not be competitive there...what about Yale/Stanford/UCLA/Berkeley? Thanks in advance, Mariogs

Hey guys, I'm a junior at an ivy in an interesting situation. I did math at the start of college but switched midway through to philosophy. I haven't done math during my junior year but want to get back into it. Here's my background: Calc 2 (A), Multivariable Calc (A), ODE's (A), Linear Algebra (B+) I have a few questions: 1) What should I take during my senior year to see if I want to do higher level math and prepare for the possibility of grad school? I was thinking real analysis and probability theory in the fall, and statistics and algebra in the spring... 2) Supposing I like the courses I take during senior year, how should I go about taking more math? It seems like I won't be a competitive Ph.D. candidate and that an MA program is a better choice (a bit less competitive, can transition to Ph.D. if I want, not committed to Ph.D.) Any ideas here? Thanks for your help, Mariogs