University degree (1 Viewer)

[SpiralFlex]

Hello everyone, a few questions that I would like to clear up.

So my current situation is I am stuck in deciding the right degree, tossing up among these three. (Note: I have read the handbook and the terminology is slightly confusing)


■ Comp Sci/BSc

■ BSc (Advanced Mathematics)

■ BEng/BSc


The problem is, I am interested in all three fields, not so much Engineering but I am keen on exploring it. But ultimately, I would like to study Mathematics above all. However, I do wish to study Computer Science but only if it doesn't come at the cost of studying maths. Which degree gives me a compromise?

Also, I heard BSc when you major in Mathematics you have the option of studying the same stuff as you would in BSc(Adv Maths). Is this true?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wilsondw]

I heard BSc when you major in Mathematics you have the option of studying the same stuff as you would in BSc(Adv Maths). Is this true?

http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2013/3970.html

Based on what the handbook says, you have 36 units of free electives and the option of doing the higher level courses so I believe it is true

 

[pwoh]

Hello everyone, a few questions that I would like to clear up.

So my current situation is I am stuck in deciding the right degree, tossing up among these three. (Note: I have read the handbook and the terminology is slightly confusing)


■ Comp Sci/BSc

■ BSc (Advanced Mathematics)

■ BEng/BSc


The problem is, I am interested in all three fields, not so much Engineering but I am keen on exploring it. But ultimately, I would like to study Mathematics above all. However, I do wish to study Computer Science but only if it doesn't come at the cost of studying maths. Which degree gives me a compromise?

Also, I heard BSc when you major in Mathematics you have the option of studying the same stuff as you would in BSc(Adv Maths). Is this true?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I do Comp Sci / BSc (Maths) so I'll answer for that. To do a maths major in that degree, see http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2013/MATHM13970.html - it's not quite as specialised as the majors you can do in BSc (Advanced Maths) but there are a number of free "science" electives which you can use to do math courses if you want to complete the same plan as the one in BSc (Advanced Maths)

Alternatively it looks like you have 36uoc free electives in BSc (Advanced Maths) - if you're interested in computer science but not as much as maths, you can basically use those to take 6 COMP subjects which is basically first year + one semester of 2nd year of COMP from a comp sci degree. Looks like this might be the better choice for you if you want your main thing to be maths?

Dunno about the BEng/BSc one.

 

[Riproot]

Wait, can't you major in comp science in a BSc(Adv Maths) degree?

 

[pwoh]

Wait, can't you major in comp science in a BSc(Adv Maths) degree?

There's a billion rules here...http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2013/3986.html but from the looks of it, you can't

 

[ismeta]

I emailed the maths faculty about whether there would be an Advanced Maths/Computer Science double degree. They said they hadn't had anyone ask about it, hence it not existing - but if they were to push for it they could get it in 2014. (Not sure if useful, but I thought I'd mention it.)

 

[Riproot]

There's a billion rules here...http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2013/3986.html but from the looks of it, you can't

that's shit.

You can at USyd.

 

[Riproot]

I emailed the maths faculty about whether there would be an Advanced Maths/Computer Science double degree. They said they hadn't had anyone ask about it, hence it not existing - but if they were to push for it they could get it in 2014. (Not sure if useful, but I thought I'd mention it.)

the problem is

That if you want to do BCompSc you are usually required to do honours (iirc) and with BSc(Adv/Adv Maffs) at UNSW you are required to do honours if you want the (Adv) on your degree and not just regular BSc.

So if your mind is set on doing computer stuff and maths then advice is:
Do BE(Computer/Software)/BSc(Adv Maffs)(Honours). Since you can get honours during the last year of the BE and then do an honours year for BSc or you can choose not to do BE honours.

But I think it's similar if you do BIT/BSc(Adv Maffs)

 

[pwoh]

the problem is

That if you want to do BCompSc you are usually required to do honours (iirc) and with BSc(Adv/Adv Maffs) at UNSW you are required to do honours if you want the (Adv) on your degree and not just regular BSc.

So if your mind is set on doing computer stuff and maths then advice is:
Do BE(Computer/Software)/BSc(Adv Maffs)(Honours). Since you can get honours during the last year of the BE and then do an honours year for BSc or you can choose not to do BE honours.

But I think it's similar if you do BIT/BSc(Adv Maffs)

Honours isn't required for B Comp Sci, it is required for Advanced Maths though. As far as I know, there isn't a BE(Computer/Software)/BSc (Adv Maths). I'm going by this page: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/vbook2013/brProgramsByFaculty.jsp?StudyLevel=Undergraduate - seems adv maths is only available with a few degrees at the moment. I think you can only do BE(Computer/Software)/BSc (ordinary maths). Also, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering are more specialised than Computer Science, so if Spiral's main interest is maths, then it would mean fewer maths subjects for him.

EDIT: unless you're talking about USyd, in which case I have no idea. From what I've heard, USyd is the way to go if you're into pure and UNSW for applied. For computer science, definitely UNSW.

 

[D94]

This is what you are after: http://www.maths.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/computer-science

They give you 4 options but 3 are applicable in your case:

Major in Mathematics within the Science Degree Program and take a minor in Computer Science. Administered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics and Faculty of Science, this degree involves the study of mathematical areas that play a key role in the theoretical understanding of computer science.

The Science Degree Program with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science is a three-year program. Students with excellent results may have the opportunity to continue for another year (total four years) to obtain an Honours degree (in Mathematics).

Choose the four-year combined degree in Computer Science and Science, taking a major in Mathematics or Statistics. Administered by the School of Computer Science and Engineering, this is a full Computer Science degree plus a Science degree. Students with good results are able to continue for another year to complete Honours in Computer Science, in Mathematics or Statistics or in a combined Mathematics and Computer Science Honours.

Choose the five-year combined degree in Computer Engineering and Science or the combined degree in Software Engineering and Science, taking a major in Mathematics or Statistics. Administered by the School of Computer Science and Engineering, these are full Engineering degrees plus a Science degree. Students with good results are able to continue for another year to complete Honours in Mathematics or Statistics, or in a combined Mathematics and Computer Science Honours

I would say the first or second options are most appropriate, probably the first option + honours is best if you really want to focus on Mathematics. You can always transfer later so you have time as to whether you want to pursue Computer Science.

 

[SpiralFlex]

I do Comp Sci / BSc (Maths) so I'll answer for that. To do a maths major in that degree, see http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2013/MATHM13970.html - it's not quite as specialised as the majors you can do in BSc (Advanced Maths) but there are a number of free "science" electives which you can use to do math courses if you want to complete the same plan as the one in BSc (Advanced Maths)

Alternatively it looks like you have 36uoc free electives in BSc (Advanced Maths) - if you're interested in computer science but not as much as maths, you can basically use those to take 6 COMP subjects which is basically first year + one semester of 2nd year of COMP from a comp sci degree. Looks like this might be the better choice for you if you want your main thing to be maths?

Dunno about the BEng/BSc one.

Thanks Pwoh =)

http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2013/3970.html

Based on what the handbook says, you have 36 units of free electives and the option of doing the higher level courses so I believe it is true

Cheers Wilson!

I emailed the maths faculty about whether there would be an Advanced Maths/Computer Science double degree. They said they hadn't had anyone ask about it, hence it not existing - but if they were to push for it they could get it in 2014. (Not sure if useful, but I thought I'd mention it.)

Thanks ismeta. I hope that this is the case.

the problem is

That if you want to do BCompSc you are usually required to do honours (iirc) and with BSc(Adv/Adv Maffs) at UNSW you are required to do honours if you want the (Adv) on your degree and not just regular BSc.

So if your mind is set on doing computer stuff and maths then advice is:
Do BE(Computer/Software)/BSc(Adv Maffs)(Honours). Since you can get honours during the last year of the BE and then do an honours year for BSc or you can choose not to do BE honours.

But I think it's similar if you do BIT/BSc(Adv Maffs)

Thanks Riproot!

This is what you are after: http://www.maths.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/computer-science

They give you 4 options but 3 are applicable in your case:







I would say the first or second options are most appropriate, probably the first option + honours is best if you really want to focus on Mathematics. You can always transfer later so you have time as to whether you want to pursue Computer Science.

Maybe it's late but I'm not sure what distinguishes the 1st option from the 2nd option besides duration.

 

[Riproot]

Honours isn't required for B Comp Sci, it is required for Advanced Maths though. As far as I know, there isn't a BE(Computer/Software)/BSc (Adv Maths). I'm going by this page: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/vbook2013/brProgramsByFaculty.jsp?StudyLevel=Undergraduate - seems adv maths is only available with a few degrees at the moment. I think you can only do BE(Computer/Software)/BSc (ordinary maths). Also, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering are more specialised than Computer Science, so if Spiral's main interest is maths, then it would mean fewer maths subjects for him.

EDIT: unless you're talking about USyd, in which case I have no idea. From what I've heard, USyd is the way to go if you're into pure and UNSW for applied. For computer science, definitely UNSW.

Wow, that's shit.

At USyd any degree/BSc can be changed to BWhatever/BSc(Adv or Adv Maths).
And I wouldn't say Computer Science at USyd is bad, they just teach more theoretical stuff over practical stuff.
Although, there is a practical assessment thing in 3rd year for comp. science that I've heard is quite challenging/useful.

 

[D94]

Maybe it's late but I'm not sure what distinguishes the 1st option from the 2nd option besides duration.

The first has a Computer Science minor, whilst the second is a Computer Science major. The first is a single Bachelor of Science majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science, the second is a double Bachelor of Science majoring in both Mathematics and Computer Science. Essentially, the second option gives you extra units of credit to complete two majors in the Bachelor of Science, giving you sort of two degrees - Maths and CS.

 

[4025808]

Imo rule out the B Science (Advanced Mathematics) part of it (unless if you want to do quantitative risk -> which is almost the same as doing actuarial). Then you have two good choices from there.

 

[inJust]

Thought you were doing law comm spiral?

 

[pwoh]

Wow, that's shit.

At USyd any degree/BSc can be changed to BWhatever/BSc(Adv or Adv Maths).
And I wouldn't say Computer Science at USyd is bad, they just teach more theoretical stuff over practical stuff.
Although, there is a practical assessment thing in 3rd year for comp. science that I've heard is quite challenging/useful.

Not saying CS at USyd is bad, far from it. And you're right, if you have interest in actual computer *science* (and not "practical" IT skills), then UNSW would be a better choice imo. Not gonna go into any more depth here though. Some discussion from a while back: http://community.boredofstudies.org/showthread.php?t=253162

 

[unsw-maths-guru]

From what I've heard, USyd is the way to go if you're into pure and UNSW for applied. For computer science, definitely UNSW.

Not sure why you say that? More people at UNSW do pure honours than applied or stats. Some pure maths is much better to do at UNSW (like functional analysis or combinatorics) and some (like algebraic topology or differential equations) are better at USyd.

There used to be a BSc(Hons) in maths and CS but apparently it was killed off because no-one had done it for a few years. John Steele is trying to get BE BSc(Adv Maths) set up, but it isn't there yet. Ian Doust was talking about a new Adv Maths 2nd year subject coming in this year, but other than that it doesn't matter that much. As long as you do well enough in enough Higher courses they'll let you do honours which is the important part of adv maths.

(Are they running special maths tutes for adv maths students in SCIF still?)

I think that one of 2012's pure honours students did a CS/pure maths double degree of some type. His thesis was on integer factorization algorithms.

 

[snaxbox]

That's the hardest part of having many interest. Can't decide which path to choose but hopefully you'll choose the right course to take. Goodluck!
____________________________________
http://www.studies-portal.com/college-search-by-major/

 

[Shadowdude]

Not sure why you say that? More people at UNSW do pure honours than applied or stats. Some pure maths is much better to do at UNSW (like functional analysis or combinatorics) and some (like algebraic topology or differential equations) are better at USyd.

There used to be a BSc(Hons) in maths and CS but apparently it was killed off because no-one had done it for a few years. John Steele is trying to get BE BSc(Adv Maths) set up, but it isn't there yet. Ian Doust was talking about a new Adv Maths 2nd year subject coming in this year, but other than that it doesn't matter that much. As long as you do well enough in enough Higher courses they'll let you do honours which is the important part of adv maths.

(Are they running special maths tutes for adv maths students in SCIF still?)

I think that one of 2012's pure honours students did a CS/pure maths double degree of some type. His thesis was on integer factorization algorithms.

In 2011, nope.

Special lectures yeah... we had Jim Franklin talk to us about applied maths and its uses.

 

[SpiralFlex]

The first has a Computer Science minor, whilst the second is a Computer Science major. The first is a single Bachelor of Science majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science, the second is a double Bachelor of Science majoring in both Mathematics and Computer Science. Essentially, the second option gives you extra units of credit to complete two majors in the Bachelor of Science, giving you sort of two degrees - Maths and CS.

Thank you so much!

I was actually under the influence you were somehow extended with the Adv Maths degree, but I guess it's a marketing technique. So I'm probably going to select Comp Sci/Sci(Maths) with the second option of study.

Any further input & opinions much appreciated.