Pure maths vs applied maths

Xxhaylsxx

Hi not sure if this was the right place to post this. But im going into third year in Maynooth and have to choose between pure maths and applied maths. Whats the advantages and disadvantages of doing pure maths over applied maths? Thanks in advance

Fremen

What courses are on offer? What do you want to do with your life?

Xxhaylsxx

Well im doing science in Maynooth. I already have chosen to do physics drop chemistry and then with maths i have to choose pure maths or applied maths but im lost from there. Not too sure at the moment wanna keep my options open as much as possible. Prob sound very stupid right now

LeixlipRed

The difference between pure maths and applied in science in maynooth is massive. Unless you have a real talent for maths I wouldn't recommend pure maths. And the applied maths stream won't be particularly useful in terms of a future career. It might inspire you to do further study on cryptography or differential equations or something but other than that it doesn't exactly prepare you for a career where applied maths is essential.

Xxhaylsxx

Well i happen to love maths and have done really really well in the past two years so maybe pure is for me so would it be more useful than applied

LeixlipRed

Never suggested you weren't able for it. But just beware that the difference in ability level required for the two streams is vastly different. What do you mean by useful? If you want to do a job that requires a high level of maths then your degree won't train you for that no matter what stream you do. If you wish to do a job that requires good mathematical ability then do the one you think you'll enjoy and be more comfortable with. Did you do the introduction to analysis course last year? If you liked that and done well in it do pure.

Xxhaylsxx

Sorry my last post seemed to come across as angry which im not at all. I have always wanted to do maths. Yeah i did do it in second semester. Thought it was very interesting and got a first in it. So it does seem thats the way to go so. Thanks

LeixlipRed

You should be well able for it so. It'll be more of the same really plus some other new topics. Good luck!

Fremen

If you think you might want to do a maths PhD at some stage, pure is probably the way to go. If you do choose pure but decide not to take it further, you won't use what you learned in any graduate job, and you may end up having to do a master's in finance or IT or something.

Basically, if you want to be an academic some day, take pure. Otherwise, take applied.

aequinoctium

Fremen wrote: »

Basically, if you want to be an academic some day, take pure. Otherwise, take applied.

is this just specific to the Maynooth course (which i'm not familiar with)? because it's hardly a generalisation!

is there no possibility of a joint degree?

Xxhaylsxx

A joint degree? Like doing both?

Fremen

aequinoctium wrote: »

is this just specific to the Maynooth course (which i'm not familiar with)? because it's hardly a generalisation!

is there no possibility of a joint degree?

Well, I said that after I looked at the classes offered in Maynooth, but it applies to a greater or lesser extent everywhere.
Of course, my advice only applies if you want to use what you learn in college in your career. If you want to learn for the sake of learning, then it's up to you, and you should pick whichever you like more.

LeixlipRed

No joint degree. It's like a pass and honours thing. In 3rd year anyway. 4th year Applied is more relatively difficult

nobbo

Didn't want to start a new thread, but I'm looking for some advice. I'm already going into final year of applied in NUIG, but my friend is about to go into 3rd year and cant decide which to choose. She doesn't see herself going into academia, bu would like to keep her options open. Which would be better to go for? And is either course worth its salt?

Any advice would be great

Here's the module list for both in 3rd and 4th year...

Pure:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/documents/3bs3.pdf
http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/documents/4bs3.pdf

Applied:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/documents/3bs4.pdf
http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/documents/4bs4.pdf

Stevie Wonders Bifocals

Sounds like Applied Maths might be the better option, and you get more options regarding stats and computing modules which will enhance your jobs prospects.

ray giraffe

Stevie Wonders Bifocals wrote: »

Sounds like Applied Maths might be the better option, and you get more options regarding stats and computing modules which will enhance your jobs prospects.

Agreed, far more jobs in applied maths.

TheBody

If you have no interest in acedemia, applied maths is the way to go.