I'm a junior and have recently switched from Pure Math or Applied Math, and soon will be picking up Statistics as a second major. Earlier this week I was offered to be accepted into the Math Honors Program. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on if I should do this. I'm pretty much going to be pursuing a career with Statistics as I plan to go to graduate school in Stats. Does it make much sense to join the Honors program for math if this is the case? In addition how hard is the course load? I'm probably going to have to go to school for an extra semester or two as it is. Thanks

10/26/2005 3:43:15 PM

I completed the math honors program and I think it's worth it. Basically all you do is take upper level math classes as your electives and complete some research. You could even do your thesis in some area of statistics.

I would also switch back to pure math if I were you. Really, there is no difference except for one modeling class-I took Dynamics and chaos. But, you should really take as many upper level math analysis classes as possible before grad school. A math modeling class would restrict you from this. I wish I had done this, but I thought applied math sounded better for an engineer.

I am pretty sure Statistics uses a lot of what you learn in upper level analysis classes, e.g. Lebesgue Measure etc.. But I am sure someone else can tell you more about that. All I can say is that analysis is fundamental to a lot of fields.I use graduate level analysis material all the time in my graduate aerospace engineering classes.

If I were you I would take at least MA425,426,515 and possibly 715 math analysis which puts you on your way to completing the honors program. Note that in 715 you learn about measure theory etc.. This is sometimes covered in the first graduate level analysis class in other schools.


Go talk to Dr. Paur (the director of honors program), she will help you out. If I remember correctly, her field of interest is Statistics.

The course load shouldn't be a problem if you already took 425,407 etc.. and made an easy A.
If you struggled to get an A then I might think twice. Kinda also depends on who you had for those classes. You should have taken 425H with Dr. Paur. I can also say to try and take 426 with Dr. Franke, if you haven't already. Both of these professors really help you be exact in your proofs and understand the ideas clearly. Some professors allow sloppy proofs which really doesn't help you at all.



[Edited on October 26, 2005 at 4:52 PM. Reason : .]

10/26/2005 4:44:13 PM

Well right now I'm in 407 with Helmnick, and will be taking MA 425 with Schecter b/c Paur class has a scheduling conflict with one of my other classes.

10/26/2005 5:35:21 PM

I would try to take 425 w/ Paur. Is the other class really necessary to take that semester. I like Dr. Schecter, but he can be kinda easy. If you take 425H w/ Dr. Paur it will make the rest of your analysis courses easier.

I think that if you sign up for the honors program Dr. Paur will want you to take 425 w/ her. So if the other class is something you could postpone, then she will probably want you to do that.

I strongly encourage you to talk with Dr. Paur. She is really nice, and will answer any of your questions. She can also tell you whether Helmnick is considered easy, so you can gauge how well you should be doing in that class.

[Edited on October 26, 2005 at 7:55 PM. Reason : asd]

10/26/2005 7:53:50 PM

Ya, pretty much what he said. I'm in the honors program now and currently taking 426 with Franke. Having taking 425 with Dr. Paur, it makes it much easier. I like the honors program, it really helps if you are interested in going on to graduate school (which im assuming you are, since you were in pure math) But ya, talk to Dr. Paur, she is the nicest lady and will go out of her way to help you with whatever you need (her office hours are usually packed, so try sending an email)

10/28/2005 11:36:09 PM

Actually, that is exactly what I did. I double majored in Applied Math and Statistics, and completed the honors program for both. What's great is that they'll let you count your (one) research toward both. I definitely recommend Applied (although you didn't mention what you switched to). Dr. Paur is a great lady, and she definitely prepares you for what's ahead, but I took Schecter and had no problem continuing on. I also took Dr. Franke, and he is absolutely THE BEST PROFESSOR you could ever take.

In short, if you have the energy and interest in the choices for the upper level math courses and the research, go ahead and do the honors program. However, if you're considering doing the math honors program, you should go ahead and do the statistics honors program as well, because it's a LOT easier to complete than math.

10/30/2005 1:30:19 AM