Page 1 of 1

How can I be qualified for a top applied math phd program

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:52 pm
by Mashimarohk
I am a student with a bachelor degree in business( second up honor).

But I figure out my own interest is math. So I applied for a math master in local university and I am going to start it in this September. This is a taught program. I aim to use the time to take some important undergraduate courses. After that, I will take a two year research- based master to make a better preparation for phd application.

Here comes my question. I notices that some top applied math phd programs require a first honor undergraduate degree in math/ physics. So obviously, I can't fulfill it anyway no matter how many good grades I get in the master and how many research experience I get. Does it mean they won't accept a student who doesn't have a math bachelor but managed to learn all fundermental and advanced courses in math?
Does it mean if I want to enter some top programs in UK/US, I can only take another bachelor?

Thanks for your help!

Re: How can I be qualified for a top applied math phd program

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:17 pm
by Manyfolds
My guess is that it won't matter at all if you do well in your masters. Satisfy the following three criteria (where 1 and 2 will lead to 3):

1. Take lots of pure math courses at a high level and do well (real, complex, functional, PDE, differential geometry, topology, etc...)

2. Do interesting research or advanced reading courses with profs

3. Get good recs.

All of these are possible to do after undergrad. I did my undergrad at a top ranked math/ applied math department, and I knew applied grad students who started doing math after undergrad.

Re: How can I be qualified for a top applied math phd program

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 2:50 am
by Mashimarohk
Manyfolds wrote:My guess is that it won't matter at all if you do well in your masters. Satisfy the following three criteria (where 1 and 2 will lead to 3):

1. Take lots of pure math courses at a high level and do well (real, complex, functional, PDE, differential geometry, topology, etc...)

2. Do interesting research or advanced reading courses with profs

3. Get good recs.

All of these are possible to do after undergrad. I did my undergrad at a top ranked math/ applied math department, and I knew applied grad students who started doing math after undergrad.
Thanks for your help!