Mathematics BSc or Maths with Computer Science

Smythe · 05-09-2010 12:45AM #1

When looking at employment vacancy websites I see many IT jobs available. Of course they usually request a degree in a Computer Science (or Technology related) subject. I'm concerned that by doing a Mathematics BSc I'm ruling out many of these opportunities.

So I'm wondering is it better to do a BSc in Mathematics with Computer Science, as opposed to doing Mathematics?

Perhaps by doing so it would permit application to IT jobs, though also to many of the finance related jobs which often simply request a quantitative degree such as Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering or Computer Science.

Does doing Mathematics with Computer Science BSc open more doors, employment-wise, rather than doing Mathematics BSc?

Would I be ruling out possible employment opportunities by taking Maths with Comp Sci as opposed with just Mathematics? (I don't want to go into teaching).

Thanks

Fremen · 05-09-2010 12:52PM

There's a bit of a "jack of all trades, master of none" effect to deal with here, which you should be aware of -CS guys will always know more programming than you, and maths guys will always know more maths. On the other hand, you'll have an easier time designing big, complicated programs than the maths guys, and there are some areas where you'll be able to steamroller the CS guys because of your maths experience.

Designing software is more important than you might think- I know a physicist who has had an awful time during his PhD because his numerics program was designed by five generations of graduate students, none of whom knew how to code. As a result, the program is completely incomprehensible.

The stuff you would learn in a maths degree is abstract enough that most of it doesn't have much application in the "real" world. Employers take on maths graduates because they have mathematical sophistication, not because they know what a Lie algebra is. You'll be at a significant disadvantage going for a research job in pure maths, but for a real job, the maths component shows you can deal with maths (unlike many CS grads) and the CS shows you have practical skill.

ray giraffe · 05-09-2010 01:14PM

Short Answer:

If you are talented in maths do Maths alone, if you are not as good in maths do Maths with Computer Science.

Q. What does "talented" mean?

A. You should be expecting to get an A in maths for the Leaving without any worry. Most likely, you are also doing Applied Maths and expecting an A in it. You feel that these subjects are easy.

Long Answer:

In my opinion fewer people will be able to excel in a maths degree than in computer science.

In other words, maths is "harder", but more valuable if you do well in it.

So if you are talented in maths you would be better off getting your first in maths rather than a first in computers. Both have good job prospects, but the maths degree is more impressive.

(Also in this case it's much easier to switch from maths to computers than from computers to maths after you graduate)

If you are not as good at maths you would be better off getting your 2-1 in computers (you will be directly qualified for many jobs) rather than perhaps a 2-2 in maths (which is not good jobwise)

Of course your level of interest in each subject is an important factor. The above comments assume you have equal interest in each subject.

I also agree with Fremen's comments.

fergalr · 09-09-2010 02:18AM

I did CS in college. Perhaps I should have done Maths. Even though I did a fairly theoretical CS course (in tcd) Maths is, in a lot of ways, a more abstract, more general and theoretical set of knowledge to build on.

Now, I've got a lot of skills in terms of building real systems that I wouldn't have learned with Maths. I know loads of technologies, and have a depth to my software skills that someone that just did a maths degree - even with several years software experience - might not have.

On the other hand, I spent a lot of time in hardware and electronics courses that I hardly ever use. A few more maths courses instead would have been better.
Looking back, I'm not sure what the right thing would have been to do. I really enjoyed doing CS in college, which is has to be a big factor - its very important to do a course you are interested in.

The main thing I want to say is in reply to this:

When looking at employment vacancy websites I see many IT jobs available. Of course they usually request a degree in a Computer Science (or Technology related) subject. I'm concerned that by doing a Mathematics BSc I'm ruling out many of these opportunities.

This is not a valid fear - I totally would not worry from this angle.
If you've any trouble getting jobs, or if this becomes an issue for you, just do a MSc in CS or Computational Science, after a maths degree. Only takes a year extra, which is really nothing in career terms.

It's hard to choose between CS and maths - it really depends a lot on you, and what you want to learn and eventually do - but don't do CS just because of what recruiters put on job sites - you could easily tick that box with an extra years study. That might seem like a lot before starting college, but really, its not.

Smythe · 10-09-2010 04:19PM

Thanks very much for the replies, it's very appreciated.

After giving it much thought over the last few days I've decided to stick with Maths since I know I have some ability in the subject and once I've completed that I'll take it from there concerning possible paths.

Thanks again guys!

Fremen · 11-09-2010 05:57PM

Best of luck with it!

Eliot Rosewater · 11-09-2010 07:54PM

I know it's a little late to chime in, but I'm in a similar situation to the OP. I'm studying maths at Uni, but in my spare time I do quite a bit of computer programming and Linux stuff (the degree includes a few computer modules). My aim is to improve my current skills and learn things like Perl. I suppose the best course of action would then be to do formal exams to prove that I know what I know, though at least I can testify to my PHP/HTML experience through projects I've worked on.

I think maths and computers compliment each other brilliantly. I think I've done so well in maths so far partly because of the logical thinking that my spare-time learning of programming demanded. Often times programming and maths require a similar mode of thinking; they just use different toolboxes.

nitrogen · 28-09-2010 12:38PM

If you got a 1.1 or 2.1 in maths, and had taken a module in Java/C++ or built some applications and had a good understanding of object oriented programming, then you would be an excellent candidate for graduate entry software engineering/programming jobs.

Have a look at the London based job site, Job Serve – I often see degree requirements for CS/Maths/Engineering.

As a programmer myself, and contrast to Eliot Rosewater I do some maths in my spare time as my interest in career progression is physics/maths, but I would advise to stay away from PHP/LAMP/Web development roles. The programming involved is more database oriented with less emphasis on writing algorithms/maths (Not always the case, but most of the time). Game programming and finance based jobs would suit someone with more of an interest in maths.

Eliot Rosewater · 28-09-2010 05:12PM

nitrogen wrote: »

...but I would advise to stay away from PHP/LAMP/Web development roles.

I totally agree, and I'm looking to get beyond PHP now. I took a C Programming course in first year, and a C++ course this year. I'm also planning to get stuck into Perl in my spare time.

fergalr · 28-09-2010 05:17PM

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

I totally agree, and I'm looking to get beyond PHP now. I took a C Programming course in first year, and a C++ course this year. I'm also planning to get stuck into Perl in my spare time.

I dont want to start any religious wars, and I've used both languages a good bit... ...but... do python instead.

Eliot Rosewater · 28-09-2010 05:36PM

My girlfriend bought me the Perl book already.

Mathematics BSc or Maths with Computer Science

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