Just a few random questions as I move ever closer to a decision: 1. Besides the "college route", is there some other way to learn computer programming? What would be a good beginner's language? Are there online certificates in this subject? 2. What can you guys tell me about SDSU's MS in Mathematics? Are there similar programs in other universities? And can you go all the way to the PhD in this area, using only distance education? 3. So far, I don't plan to teach, but you never know. What's the deal with teacher licensure? Can it be achieved online? How? 4. Data Mining looks like a cool subject. Can a math major transition well into this field? Or is "advanced" training required? 5. What about cryptography? Is it still mostly mathematical? Or has it crossed into the realm of Computer Science? 6. As someone who yearns for a 'simpler life', away from the rigors of modern society, can mathematics still be done with just pen and paper, or has it evolved to the point where high-level "stuff" can only be solved with the aid of powerful supercomputers? Finally, going to the very heart of this thread, is math still relevant? Is it a worthy academic pursuit? Can it truly describe everything around us? Or in a world dominated by technology, has it become a relic of the past, a specialized sub-field, understood by only a few, and mostly ignored by the rest? Put simply, is math still cool, or does it suck? Thanks in advance.
Have you considered an MS in Operations Research? See the link below. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos044.htm As an operations research analyst, I create and use mathematical models all of the time to figure out relationships and then use those relationships to predict future outcomes. I would say that math is most definitely relevant. Technology helps me do my job, but technology can't do my job for me. BTW - Math is cool!
Coin toss, of course!. Head, eggs. Tails, cereal. I have, actually. However, if I go this route, I would have a "pure math" degree with some MIS courses. Doesn't OR require a lot of programming as part of it's entry requirements? It is, isn't it? Thanks for the advice.
I was blown away by the FIT program in OR a few years ago. It had the fewest math prerequisites I can imagine for a program of that nature. It looks like you can enter with just calculus and linear algebra. Pretty impressive.
Just gave it a look myself. Impressive, indeed. I love the way they describe OR. Makes it seem like it truly has infinite, real-world applications. A degree that's worth considering, thanks for pointing it out.
If you have a strong math background (algebra, statistics, calc I, calc II, and linear algebra), then you should do fine.
OR has a lot of real-world applications and Florida Tech isn't the only school that offers an MS in OR via DL. MS in Operations Research Florida Institute of Technology Georgia Institute of Technology Southern Methodist University MS in Engineering with an emphasis in OR University of Arkansas
Personally, I think it is a great program. One of the guys who works for me starts up a similar program in January through the University of Arkansas. However, I think the thread op is getting a bit ahead of himself and should focus on narrowing down an undergraduate program before putting much thought into grad school. It is a bit of putting the cart before the horse.
I forgot to mention three fields that are very similar to operations research: industrial engineering, management science, and systems engineering. - Industrial and Systems Engineering Auburn University - Industrial Engineering - Operations Research Georgia Institute of Technology - Industrial Engineering and Operations Research - Systems Engineering Colorado State University - Systems Engineering National University - Systems Engineering University of Colorado at Colorado Springs - Systems Engineering Walden University - Operations Research Florida Institute of Technology - Operations Research - Systems Engineering Southern Methodist University
University of Alabama in Huntsville/ Industrial Engineering - MSE or Ph.D. Systems Engineering - MSE or Ph.D. Engineering Management - MSE or Ph.D.
Modeling & Simulation is a related field but it requires a little programming experience. - Modeling & Simulation University of Alabama in Huntsville - Modeling & Simulation - Systems Engineering Old Dominion University The people I work with that do modeling & simulation are either operations research analysts or engineers.
