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College majors: Applied Math vs. Operations Research
Shazkar Shadowstorm
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ablah, I'm not really sure how much anyone here can help me, but if anyone is doing either of these two majors and could help tell me a bit more about these, that would be nice.
I'm only a freshman, but I need to register for classes tomorrow and knowing which major I would like to do would make that so much easier (but of course I can still change my mind later, I'd just have to do more work a bit.. ).
Basically, I know I like math, and computer science, and economics... I know both of these majors are interesting. Applied math has a lot of flexibility in it, which is definitely a plus, OR seems like it is more about computational models or... I dunno, I'm not entirely sure.
I know I will get an Econ minor, because I'd like to, and it would only take a few more classes. Perhaps I could get a CS minor as well, but if not I would still like to take many CS classes.
I mean, I know this is vague, and has a lot to do with my specific school, but any more additional information about what these kinds of studies would be like would really help me out.
I did make a list of the classes I would need to take, if the names of the classes help give any idea. (Ignore the numbers, those are just me trying to guesstimate semesters):
I'm only a freshman, but I need to register for classes tomorrow and knowing which major I would like to do would make that so much easier (but of course I can still change my mind later, I'd just have to do more work a bit.. ).
Basically, I know I like math, and computer science, and economics... I know both of these majors are interesting. Applied math has a lot of flexibility in it, which is definitely a plus, OR seems like it is more about computational models or... I dunno, I'm not entirely sure.
I know I will get an Econ minor, because I'd like to, and it would only take a few more classes. Perhaps I could get a CS minor as well, but if not I would still like to take many CS classes.
I mean, I know this is vague, and has a lot to do with my specific school, but any more additional information about what these kinds of studies would be like would really help me out.
I did make a list of the classes I would need to take, if the names of the classes help give any idea. (Ignore the numbers, those are just me trying to guesstimate semesters):
------------------------------
Applied Math
3
- V1202 (Calc IV)
- ODE
- Physics C1403
- C. Civ
4
- Physics Lab C1494
- C. Civ
- Music Hum
- Stochastic Modeling
- Seminar E4901
-
5
- Complex Variables
- Partial Diff Eq
- Intro to Numerical Methods
6
- Modern Analysis
- Seminar
7
- Intro to dynamical systems
- Research
8
(+ 5-7 electives or so [nearly any math, science, or econ thing... almost anything that can
be approved by advisor] includes: Macro and Micro econ, data structures and algorithms,
advanced programming (3157), etc.. this is pretty free)
------------------------------
Operations Research
3
- ODE
- Data structures
- C. Civ
- Intro to Acc and Finance
- Phys Lab C1493
4
- C. Civ
- Music Hum
- Stochastic Models
- Mathematical Prog
-Industrial Info Sys
5
- Production Planning
- Simulation
- Applied Int prog
6
- Forecasting
- Industrial Econ
- Game Theorhetic models of Operations
7
- Prod Scheduling
8
(+ 4 electives or so from the list, 2 of them IEOR designation)
------------------------------
Operations Research: EMS
3
- ODE
- Data structures
- C. Civ
- Microeconomics
- Intro to Acc and Finance
- Phys Lab C1493
4
- C. Civ
- Music Hum
- Stochastic Models
- Mathematical Prog
-Industrial Info Sys
5
- Production Planning
- Simulation
- Intro. Finance
6
- Manegerial Behavior
- Industrial Econ
7
8
(+ 4 tech electives from the list, 2 of them IEOR designation
and 3 management electives)
------------------------------
Requirements for comp sci minor (still to be completed):
-COMS W1007 : Object-oriented programming and design
-COMS W3134 : Data structures in Java
or
COMS W3137 : Data structures and algorithms
-COMS W3157 : Advanced programming
-COMS W3203 : Discrete mathematics --> Counts as OR tech elective
-COMS W3261 : Computer Science Theory
-CSEE W3827 : Fundamentals of computer systems
or
a 4000-level COMS technical elective
------------------------------
Requirements for econ minor (still to be completed):
- ECON W3211: Intermediate microeconomics --> Counts towards OR:EMS major
- ECON W3412: Introduction to econometrics
- 2 econ electives from a pretty big list... many choices.
one of these for me will be ECON W2261: Intro to accounting and finance --> Counts
towards OR & OR:EMS major
--> The other could be one that counts for a mangement elective for OR:EMS
poo
Shazkar Shadowstorm on
0
Posts
So.. yeah what kind of things do you want to do with your life after school? Do you want to code? Maybe be a financial advisor? statistician? actuarial science? All these are doable with an OR concentration.
Tell me more about yourself and maybe I can help you out.
So far I've taken Intermediate Macroecon, and am currently taking Statistics... as well as intro CS in Java course, which I enjoy, and will take the next level next semester.
Post-school: To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure. A lot of options seem interesting... working with computers, perhaps a plus, but I don't want to spend all my time coding. Perhaps working in finance or consulting could be cool. Then again, even though I won't be a real engineer, I wouldn't mind doing some kind of work for an engineering firm. My real problem is that I don't know everything about what is out there...
Here's a big question: Are there any kinds of jobs or things that one major would give me a significant advantage over the other?
What makes Operations Research uniquely separate from Applied Math? I mean, I see the names of the courses, but the true difference is lost on me.
What kind of things are you studying, and what do you plan to do?
Operations Research is mainly a study of optimization. Now, there is deterministic and stochastic problems. In the case of deterministic problems, you can arrive at a single answer that you can directly obtain. For example, lets say you have 2 storehouses from which you need to send some kind of product to 3 destinations, and there are specific costs to send stuff from one place to another. You'll learn an algorithm that will give you a plan to come up with a shipping schedule that minimizes your total cost. Shit like this example, and things like scheduling... all deterministic operations research.
The problems with deterministic OR is that some of the algorithms are exponential, i.e. given a large number of variables, the amount of time it takes a computer to calculate an answer will be retardedly long. This is a common area of research among OR phd candidates. Recently the Karmarkar algorithm was discovered. It solves problems in polynomial time whereas previous methods solved in exponential time.
Then there are some problems where you cant get a specific answer. This is known as stochastic. You'll learn probabilistic modelling to account for this. You'll start out with basic probability theory, then maybe queueing theory and keep going from there.
I can understand why you're unclear about the differences between OR and applied math. Here's the thing: there really isn't any difference. OR is just a branch of mathematics. In my school, any OR class can count towards math credits. As far as a job is concerned, I wouldn't say that matters too much either. I see people get jobs with majors that I would think are totally unrelated to their degree. I know that last sentence doesn't really help you out that much, but honestly if you apply for an "OR job" they wont refuse people with a math degree.
The reason why I encourage you to stay with applied math, is again.. b/c it is flexible. In my particular situation I can take all the classes I would've taken as a strict OR major, in addition to a few other classes. In my case, applied math is just a stronger degree.
The classes I've currently taken are as follows:
- Partial Differential Equations (to satisfy the math degree)
- Deterministic Operations Research (OR 1)
- Probabilistic Models (OR 2)
- Mathematical Statistics 1 & 2
- Queueing Theory (OMG hardest class ever)
I'm currently in love with statistics and wouldn't mind being hired as a statistician someday.
One suggestion I would make is that you look into competitions that your school is involved in. I greatly enjoyed the COMAP Math Modeling competitions I was involved in. They will probably give you a greater understanding of what you really enjoy, and an idea of what you might be involved in after school.
My school does offer an Economic Mathematics major that seems quite different from OR as it, from what I recall, focused more on optimizing investments, etc. I wasn't that interested, although a few of my friends were, and will probably make boatloads of cash working for some investment firm.
- Gary Busey
A Glass, Darkly
Yeah, my school does offer an OR concentration in Financial Engineering which is a lot like this... but I feel it is way too specialized for a specific kind of thing for me to want to do it.
Thanks for the help so far guys, I'm loving the info.
It really shouldn't matter much whether you pursue a degree in OR or applied math as both of them should be opening the same set of doors.