Suggestions with European Universities for Applied Math?

[Rafanatic]

Hi, I'm an engineer from India interested in applied math. I wish to apply for an MS program. What are the top and decent universities in Europe besides EPFL, Switzerland? It would be REALLY beneficial if I could have my profile evaluated:

GPA: 9.12/10
Type of Student: International (India), Female

GRE Revised General Test:
Q: 164 (90%)
V: 157 (73%)
W: 4.0 (49%)
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics:
M: 560 (27%) (I knew I wouldn't score well but not this badly. Obviously because I couldn't tackle questions from Asbtract Algebra, Real analysis)

TOEFL Score: (112 = R29/L29/S24/W30)

Program Applying: Applied Math

Research Experience: Currently working as a research assistant at the IISc (Indian Institute of Science). Working in modelling of collective behavior for the past 5 months. I'm recently starting out on a project to model metastasis in cancer. I've been told by my employer that this is probably the work of a full-time PhD Student.
Awards: The NTSE State Scholorship from 10th grade, Best Paper Award from an international conference (paper published was based on my final year project at the IISc on image processing)
Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: One recommender is my project guide at IIsc. Does that help?
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Into Indian classical music (Recently appeared for an exam equivalent to an MA. This was ten days before the Subject GRE. Do extra curricular activities matter??)

[Gasquet]

Wow. There seem to be a lot of Engineers from India who want to go into Math. By looking at this site, you would almost think that such a thing is common here. I was about to tell you to look at bishutechs thread, but just saw that you have a post there(must have missed that then). Take a look at the 'Masters vs PhD direct entry' thread, there is some stuff mentioned of what you are looking.

I just PM'd you.

[Rafanatic]

Thanks @Gasquet. I was hoping for some insight on what universities I have a chance of getting into with my profile. The thing is, I don't want to study at an average university as I'm sure that's not going to improve my chances of doing a PhD at a good university or improve my career prospects.

I'm interested in mathematical modelling and simulation in the industrial and biological fields specifically. Why is it that no one has recommended UCL? They have an MSc in Mathematical Modelling explicitly and I think that's exactly what I want. But I wish it was a 2 year course as there's more time to learn and you don't have to worry about applying for a PhD just three months after you get in.

I will definitely have more knowledge about mathematical modelling and can learn abstract algebra more thoroughly if I don't get an admit this year, but would it significantly improve my profile and would I have much better chances of getting into PhD programs directly next year? Considering that it would be 2 years from my bachelor's degree? (With two years' worth of research experience at the IISc in an area I'd most likely do my PhD in)

Also, how seriously is a shift from the engineering field to the applied math domain considered in both the US and Europe?

[BYA]

You might like the MSc program Mathmods:http://www.mathmods.eu/.

[Gasquet]

Applied math is a very broad term. There would fields which wouldn't be too far from what you are studying and there would be fields which are miles away. One thing you should know is that having a basic knowledge of abstract math is a must. That includes real analysis, abstract algebra, topology and linear algebra(from a mathematical perspective).

Without a masters, getting into any PhD program would be close to impossible, no matter how much self study you do.

Another point I think I should mention is that most people on this site(including me) don't have much knowledge about MS programs in Europe. From what I gather mindreader and Legendre seem to know a decent about it, maybe you could ask them.

[mindreader]

Applied math is a very broad term. There would fields which wouldn't be too far from what you are studying and there would be fields which are miles away. One thing you should know is that having a basic knowledge of abstract math is a must. That includes real analysis, abstract algebra, topology and linear algebra(from a mathematical perspective).

Without a masters, getting into any PhD program would be close to impossible, no matter how much self study you do.

Another point I think I should mention is that most people on this site(including me) don't have much knowledge about MS programs in Europe. From what I gather mindreader and Legendre seem to know a decent about it, maybe you could ask them.

honestly, I only took 1 course on introductory abstract algebra which was about basic group theory. it was more applied in that we discussed its numerous applications to shapes and puzzles. aside from that, I don't know much about rings and I only have a meager knowledge about fields. I still managed to do well in the math GRE exam by focusing on things that I really knew...

Also, I have not taken a course on topology because of poor planning on my part. The only topology I know is Chapter 2 of Rudin as we covered this in analysis. I feel a bit ashamed that I got admitted to a PhD program yet my math background is not as extensive as yours. It was partly not my fault, however, as my school did not offer advanced courses relevant to my interests. We have numerous courses on cryptography, coding theory, etc. but they're not to my liking...

I guess it just shows that you can always make up for a relatively narrow math background and that you don't need to have decent knowledge about all proof based math courses...Just my 2 cents.

[mathfreak]

Applied math is a very broad term. There would fields which wouldn't be too far from what you are studying and there would be fields which are miles away. One thing you should know is that having a basic knowledge of abstract math is a must. That includes real analysis, abstract algebra, topology and linear algebra(from a mathematical perspective).

Without a masters, getting into any PhD program would be close to impossible, no matter how much self study you do.

Another point I think I should mention is that most people on this site(including me) don't have much knowledge about MS programs in Europe. From what I gather mindreader and Legendre seem to know a decent about it, maybe you could ask them.

honestly, I only took 1 course on introductory abstract algebra which was about basic group theory. it was more applied in that we discussed its numerous applications to shapes and puzzles. aside from that, I don't know much about rings and I only have a meager knowledge about fields. I still managed to do well in the math GRE exam by focusing on things that I really knew...

Also, I have not taken a course on topology because of poor planning on my part. The only topology I know is Chapter 2 of Rudin as we covered this in analysis. I feel a bit ashamed that I got admitted to a PhD program yet my math background is not as extensive as yours. It was partly not my fault, however, as my school did not offer advanced courses relevant to my interests. We have numerous courses on cryptography, coding theory, etc. but they're not to my liking...

I guess it just shows that you can always make up for a relatively narrow math background and that you don't need to have decent knowledge about all proof based math courses...Just my 2 cents.

Did you aply for pure math or applied math?

[Rafanatic]

@BYA Thanks a lot for that! That sounds like a very interesting program to me. Particularly cuz it offers courses in mathematical modelling of complex systems. Also I really like learning languages and have already learnt a bit of French and Spanish out of interest! (A1 level in both) I think I will be applying to that program. Thanks again!

[mindreader]

Applied math is a very broad term. There would fields which wouldn't be too far from what you are studying and there would be fields which are miles away. One thing you should know is that having a basic knowledge of abstract math is a must. That includes real analysis, abstract algebra, topology and linear algebra(from a mathematical perspective).

Without a masters, getting into any PhD program would be close to impossible, no matter how much self study you do.

Another point I think I should mention is that most people on this site(including me) don't have much knowledge about MS programs in Europe. From what I gather mindreader and Legendre seem to know a decent about it, maybe you could ask them.

honestly, I only took 1 course on introductory abstract algebra which was about basic group theory. it was more applied in that we discussed its numerous applications to shapes and puzzles. aside from that, I don't know much about rings and I only have a meager knowledge about fields. I still managed to do well in the math GRE exam by focusing on things that I really knew...

Also, I have not taken a course on topology because of poor planning on my part. The only topology I know is Chapter 2 of Rudin as we covered this in analysis. I feel a bit ashamed that I got admitted to a PhD program yet my math background is not as extensive as yours. It was partly not my fault, however, as my school did not offer advanced courses relevant to my interests. We have numerous courses on cryptography, coding theory, etc. but they're not to my liking...

I guess it just shows that you can always make up for a relatively narrow math background and that you don't need to have decent knowledge about all proof based math courses...Just my 2 cents.

Did you aply for pure math or applied math?

applied math. i have, however, taken a lot of math courses. ode, pde, real analysis (2 sequences), complex analysis, linear algebra, optimization (deterministic & probabilistic), game theory, stochastic processes, numerical analysis, and 2 statistics courses. i have 2 years worth of research experience (3 projects) so i guess that made up for it.

[BYA]

@BYA Thanks a lot for that! That sounds like a very interesting program to me. Particularly cuz it offers courses in mathematical modelling of complex systems. Also I really like learning languages and have already learnt a bit of French and Spanish out of interest! (A1 level in both) I think I will be applying to that program. Thanks again!

I am glad you found it useful. Another one is a 2 year MSc program that is more into the Physics side of applied math but they also have topics such as Computational Neuroscience. Check it out here: http://areeweb.polito.it/didattica/pcs/

[Rafanatic]

@BYA Thanks a lot for that! That sounds like a very interesting program to me. Particularly cuz it offers courses in mathematical modelling of complex systems. Also I really like learning languages and have already learnt a bit of French and Spanish out of interest! (A1 level in both) I think I will be applying to that program. Thanks again!

I am glad you found it useful. Another one is a 2 year MSc program that is more into the Physics side of applied math but they also have topics such as Computational Neuroscience. Check it out here: http://areeweb.polito.it/didattica/pcs/

Thanks @BYA but it's a bit too much of physics for me! Just asked if I could still apply to the Erasmus Mundus program that you suggested and they said yes. Applying and keeping fingers crossed!

Does anyone have an opinion on the MSc in Math. Modelling program in University College London and the Applied Math program in the University of Twente, Netherlands?

[BYA]

@BYA Thanks a lot for that! That sounds like a very interesting program to me. Particularly cuz it offers courses in mathematical modelling of complex systems. Also I really like learning languages and have already learnt a bit of French and Spanish out of interest! (A1 level in both) I think I will be applying to that program. Thanks again!

I am glad you found it useful. Another one is a 2 year MSc program that is more into the Physics side of applied math but they also have topics such as Computational Neuroscience. Check it out here: http://areeweb.polito.it/didattica/pcs/

Thanks @BYA but it's a bit too much of physics for me! Just asked if I could still apply to the Erasmus Mundus program that you suggested and they said yes. Applying and keeping fingers crossed!

Does anyone have an opinion on the MSc in Math. Modelling program in University College London and the Applied Math program in the University of Twente, Netherlands?

@Rafanatic, you're welcome. I wish you the best. Good luck!