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Need Suggestions for Switching from MS Computer Science to PhD Math


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I'm currently a MS computer science degree student at a top 20 school. I'd like to switch to a PhD in pure math. I know that research matters the most at top-ranked math depts. My question is that is research in machine learning or artificial intelligence acceptable or do you need to show research in a pure math subject? Would computer science math (combinatorics, number theory, etc.) be acceptable?

Edited by Moonracer
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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm not pursuing a PhD in pure math, but I have a couple questions. Do you know what research area(s) interest you? Do you have the necessary coursework to begin a PhD program in that (those) area(s)?

Sorry for the late reply. Midterm week was pretty hellish. I'm not sure what areas to research yet. I like anything visual, like geometry. i thought about topology, but have heard the concepts are very challenging to grasp. I also really enjoyed a discrete math course that I took last semester, so possibly number theory, combinatorics, or probability.

As far as coursework I have only had a couple of semesters of calculus and a graduate course in discrete math. I'm guessing that I would still need to take multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and maybe differential equations (not to mention the GRE subject test) before applying to PhD programs.

Edited by Moonracer
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If you haven't taken multivariable calc or linear algebra, you're a long, long way from having the preparation necessary to be a credible candidate for a PhD in mathematics anywhere. You're probably looking at a good 2-3 years of coursework to get there.

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