Math Master's/PhD for strong CS background

[jvarley]

I'm a undergrad in a top-10 college in the US. I'll have a double major in computer science and math, but I've been focusing mostly on computer science (mainly because of job prospects), and all my research has also been in computer science. I took just enough math to get a second major, but my grades are still quite decent. But now I'm feeling I like math more, and I'm considering pursuing a Master's/PhD in math.

 

What would be your recommendations? I'm pretty sure I'll have to apply for a Master's first, to strengthen my background and get some research experience. I looked at some programs in the US, UK, and Germany, but I'm really not sure which would be right for me. Any recommendations on the programs would be welcome!

[33andathirdRPM]

Where are your interests? tcs? Scientific computing? Coding theory?

[jvarley]

Where are your interests? tcs? Scientific computing? Coding theory?

From taking a couple of courses in abstract algebra, I think I'm interested in pursuing that area.

Edited February 18, 2013 by jvarley

[smmmu]

This is mainly about the UK, can't say too much about the US (yet). UK has the advantage that Masters degrees are usually only one year long.

 

Oxford has a Masters called "Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science", that might be appropriate. If I recall correctly there were some Algebra courses on the curriculum. It's mainly coursework based, and I think there is a research project / thesis to be done over the summer (so if you intend to apply for a PhD straight after, this might no help you in terms of admissions though).

Cambridge has Part III Maths, and I think with a decent level of preparation (i.e. coursework) on the maths side that might well be an option as well (I don't think they look too much at research experience for admissions, but then it's also a purely coursework-based degree).

 

If you're looking mainly for research experience in maths, rather than coursework, things might be a bit trickier. You might be able to find a research-based Masters at another UK university (google e.g. "MRes mathematics").

[jvarley]

This is mainly about the UK, can't say too much about the US (yet). UK has the advantage that Masters degrees are usually only one year long.

 

Oxford has a Masters called "Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science", that might be appropriate. If I recall correctly there were some Algebra courses on the curriculum. It's mainly coursework based, and I think there is a research project / thesis to be done over the summer (so if you intend to apply for a PhD straight after, this might no help you in terms of admissions though).

Cambridge has Part III Maths, and I think with a decent level of preparation (i.e. coursework) on the maths side that might well be an option as well (I don't think they look too much at research experience for admissions, but then it's also a purely coursework-based degree).

 

If you're looking mainly for research experience in maths, rather than coursework, things might be a bit trickier. You might be able to find a research-based Masters at another UK university (google e.g. "MRes mathematics").

 

Thanks for your reply, smmmu! How good a chance do you think I would have at applying to UK Math PhD programs (say, Oxford, Warwick, Manchester) if I go to this Oxford Master's program, taking into account what you mentioned about the thesis being done over the summer?

Edited February 19, 2013 by jvarley

[smmmu]

Hrm, good question, I could only guess. Here are some very general thoughts:

- At Oxford you would be able to get to know potential supervisors in maths relatively easily (the masters is based at the maths department), this might make it easier. But get in touch with the department and ask about staying on for a PhD after the MFoCS masters. 

- Generally from what I've been told by someone who did the MFoCS course, there is a fair amount of interaction between faculty and students, take-home exercises during the year, etc., so I assume you would be able to get to know faculty (i.e. potential recommenders) relatively well relatively soon. This might partially offset the relatively late schedule for the research part of the course. Generally I wouldn't worry too much about the relatively late research project - this is the format of most "mostly-taught" masters courses in the UK, so UK universities will understand that.

- Generally in the UK getting admitted is relatively easy, but getting funding is hard. This might be especially true if you're not a UK or EU citizen, but this is obviously independent of what Masters you do.

 

But take all that with a grain of salt - I only know about the MFoCS course second-hand. Also I'm not comfortable speculating at all about how other universities will view the masters, as my opinion there would necessarily be heavily biased, plus having moved away from maths I simply don't know the community that well. It might be worthwhile for someone more familiar with the field to weigh in.

Edited February 19, 2013 by smmmu