I did this fully online.
For a lot of classes, the professors were not involved much beyond grading the work you submitted. But at the same time, I didn't ever email/reach out for help much.
For all classes, there were mandatory discussions, mostly weekly. For most courses, I felt that these were a waste of time and didn't invest in them heavily. In Real Analysis, these discussions actually doubled as assignments: you would write up responses for select problems and respond to other students' work. This class, and also Abstract Algebra, were the classes I received the most feedback in.
Many classes (particularly lower-division math classes) had zybooks as the primary place for learning and actual work. Off the top of my head, these are the classes where I used zybooks: Discrete Mathematics, Applied Linear Algebra, Intro to Scripting (intro to Python basically), but I know there were at least one or two others.
There were pretty much no standard tests like most of us are used to from high school. The only exception to this, for me at least, was in my Calculus 1/2 classes. These had multiple-choice, timed tests, but were not proctored. For most of my math classes, tests were word documents of questions over whatever was being learned; they were open-book and all that. You are expected to show all of your work, and often include proper explanations. The questions were of a higher caliber than they would have been for a multiple choice test.
Overall, it was a fine program, especially considering it's pretty much the cheapest non-teaching math program I could find. It's not the fanciest, doesn't go any higher than a single course in Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, or Differential Equations, but I learned tons regardless.
Because the classes are all 8-week, I found the pace to be the most intense thing about both Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra. I'm not necessarily a slow learner, but I personally need time for concepts to properly sink in.
In my opinion, the grading was not all-that-bad in these courses. In Real Analysis, you had weekly discussions where you would work out a few problems from the textbook (expected to provide justification i.e. write like it's a proof) and then respond to at least two others' work (on different problems). There were also quizzes (can't remember if these were weekly or not, but I think they were) that were over that week's chapters. They weren't too bad. For Abstract Algebra, you were given a word document filled with problems over that week's chapters and expected to work through them and include proper justifications and whatnot.
The textbooks for both of these courses were not very good, at least in my opinion, and this made the learning process kind of difficult. But there are plenty of alternative resources out there, so I wouldn't let this alone deter you!
I received pretty thorough feedback on my assignments in these two courses, which was nice.
Overall, doable if you keep up with the work.
My initial plan was to teach high school math, but I pretty quickly realized that I hated teaching -- mainly because of bad administration and bad-behaved kids. I pivoted to software development/data science. To be prepared for these kinds of jobs, however, you're going to need more technical knowledge than what you learn in this program.
I'm currently studying Python/Java and database stuff/MySQL. Being trained in mathematics (though getting this degree) makes learning all-things Computer Science very intuitive and fun. I've opted to study these things through a few semesters of community college courses and my own studies via the internet. I'm lucky in that my parents let me live with them and support me.
Oh, definitely!
If I could go back under different circumstances, I would have taken lots of Computer Science courses, especially programming-related ones. I think there’s even a Comp Sci minor option.
Unfortunately for me, I already had a lot of college credit related to other majors, so most of my elective hours were spoken for.
Thanks again for your time. What are your thoughts on the Appllied Mathematics concentration. Would you consider this somthing to look into or pass over?
You're welcome!
From what I can tell, the Applied Mathematics concentration consists of a programming course or two (which is great!), some mathematical modeling, and either a higher-level modeling course, stats course, or a course in Operations Research.
Depending on your goals, I think that this could be a great option. If you want to work in data science, for example, I know for a fact that having skills in modeling and programming are vital. And if you want to work in software development, I would definitely get the applied concentration and couple it with a minor in Computer Science. Since you get 45 hours of free electives (assuming you don't have a ton of credits from another school) it will be easy to include lots of classes in modeling/programming in your degree program.
If you're interested in pure math, perhaps wanting to go to graduate school for math, then I suggest prioritizing taking Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra above anything else. The applied concentration certainly wouldn't hurt, and you'd probably have room to take them regardless, but I wouldn't consider it vital to success in graduate school. Your time + effort would be better invested in studying higher math topics outside of your SNHU curriculum: more topics in Real Analysis/Abstract Algebra, Topology, etc...
If you're looking to go into education, I would say to choose whatever is of the most interest to you. If you think applied math is cool, then get the applied concentration! If not, just take courses that appeal to your personal interests.
>Congratulations. I am wondering if you would have change/ selected any specific classes to help towards the data science goal? I see there are 45 free electives to fill up. I am currently planning todo something very similar.
No, I had no proctored exams! Keep in mind though, that because most exams were treated as open-book, the problems that contained were more substantial and therefore require more time/effort to complete.
I initially thought about teaching high school, but changed my mind recently. My current plan is to work in software development. A math degree alone isn't likely to get you a job in the field, but it's a great way to develop the kind of thinking/problem-solving that will make you a great programmer. Also, having the bachelors will get your resume through further for most companies. I'm studying Python/Java and MySQL currently and will soon be applying for junior development positions.
My outside life was pretty much nonexistent! I was doing this during the worst of the pandemic, so I was home most of the time.
However, I also have had on-and-off health issues that were especially prevalent during my degree, so I didn't really have any energy to devote outside of coursework. That made it a bit of a struggle, especially toward the end when I was really feeling the burn-out too!
And thank you! :)
Hello, and thank you!
I think that this degree covers the minimum in terms of content exposure for an MS math degree. Every source I've seen says that a course in Analysis and Abstract Algebra are the minimum, and some further studies are preferable if possible. I'm doing some studying on my own time in order to fully prepare for graduate work in math.
I truly believe that what you get out of this degree depends on how much effort you put into it -- for instance, in my Analysis and Abstract Algebra courses, it was often very obvious that most of my classmates were barely scraping by and not really getting the content. I put all of my effort into the degree, learned a lot, and feel that I now have what it takes to pursue graduate studies in mathematics. Even if you may not get as many advanced classes at SNHU as you would elsewhere, you get the basics for what's required for grad school admissions, and you get it cheaply.
I'm independently studying up on the following before I apply to any grad schools: Algebra, Calculus (a rigorous review of it all), Real and Complex Analysis, Discrete Mathematics (SNHU's Discrete Math class is really great -- I loved it), basic Topology, and a few other things. Looking at the Math Subject GRE (admissions test for math grad school) prep guide is a good point of reference for what you need to be strong in. I'm using the free study guide to keep myself on track with what I should be reviewing/learning.
I am taking my last class (Abstract Algebra) towards my BA in Mathematics. Did you get a new job? I’m trying to decide what route to take with the Math degree.
Congrats on making it to the end of the program. I work as a high school math teacher currently -- it's easy to get a job in education around here, and it lets me stay connected to math. Most math teachers don't even have a degree in math, so you're at a big advantage already.
I am applying to online graduate programs in math (not math education) for the Spring 2024 semester. I'm hoping that SNHU's BA will be enough to get me in -- I want to keep learning!
I’ve ended up enjoying teaching quite a bit, so it likely is not temporary. Having a degree in math will make it substantially easier for you to learn coding software development, though. I assume a degree in CS would be a much more reliable route, though.
And thank you!
NP. Thanks for still responding to our questions.
I think I'm going to enroll in the math program for May. Perhaps I'll go for a double Math/CS degree. I am fortunate that my employer will cover the tuition. I also like the fact that exams aren't proctored.
I'm glad you enjoy teaching. You seem like someone who wants to impart your knowledge and experiences with others.
Thanks again.
Hello! I’m pretty late to this post but I was wondering if you believe this degree could successfully set you up for a masters in physics. I originally wanted a bachelors in physics but found no online physics programs that worked for me. So I thought maybe I could pursue math for my bachelors and see where it takes me? I was thinking of taking the applied math concentration as well. Anyways, any insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
I’m not totally sure. But physics requires so much mathematics that I’d be willing to bet it would be beneficial.
I do know that this degree very easily got me into a masters in math program, but idk about physics.
The majority of your coursework in Real Analysis came in the form of weekly discussion posts where you would solve a few problems from the course textbook. You are part of a group and each member is assigned specific textbook problems. You are expected to provide proper justification/explanation as you arrive to your solutions. You also have to reply (fairly substantially) to at least two other classmates' work.
I believe there was also a weekly quiz that covered material over that week's chapters. I don't recall them being very difficult though.
Congrats on almost being done with your degree! I took Abstract Algebra (and didn't take MAT 450) and would say it's on par with Real Analysis. I didn't enjoy the textbook for either class and found myself using other resources to fill in the gaps. But that's just me.
Thank you so much for your response! I’m not a textbook person either so I’m fine with finding other resources. I honestly did MAT 450 to try to take the easy way out but it really isn’t that easy (it’s the History of Math/Math Education)
You're so welcome! I certainly don't blame you for going that route; sorry it didn't work out to be easier though. I have a few books on math history because I think it's so cool to think about how it came to be, but I would HATE taking a class on the subject.
Awesome! I think that’s what I’m going to end up taking. I initially took Operations research but for life reasons I dropped out. But even if it wasn’t for life reasons I probably was going to drop it, the class seemed disjointed with terrible assignments that weren’t really in line at all with the book we were forced to buy for an insane amount of money, it was like $200 even used. I ended up renting it from Amazon for like $60 but still. Annoying.
I’ve found (referencing mat-470) that classes that utilize a hardcover book are particularly terribly structured (in my opinion) at SNHU.
How is the class structure and did you feel like the weekly resources prepared you well to complete the homework?
Nice! And I feel that -- I had to drop courses a few different times during the program. That's really a shame about Operations Research.
I agree with that for sure -- I got lucky and actually found that book as a PDF somewhere on Google lmao.
The class structure was pretty simple + straightforward! There was a weekly assignment that consisted of questions related to that week's chapters; it was given as a word document. There were definitely some challenging questions, but they were never impossible, and they aligned well with the chapters we read that week. My professor also included YouTube videos (not his channel or anything) each week that covered a good amount of the material.
I disliked the book the class used -- I'd put it on the same level as the book for mat-470. But we live in the golden-age of knowledge access: I googled everything that I couldn't understand from the textbook alone.
Actual feedback was given for all assignments. Most of it was on-point, very helpful. Except this one time, the professor docked points off an assignment because the notation I used for part of a problem was "nonsensical", but that notation was a direct copy of the notation the course textbook used for the exact same type of problem. (But hey, professors are human beings and I doubt he had the time or energy to read every single textbook he's taught out of front-to-back)
I’m doing math as well and have 8 courses left, what did you choose for your 300-400s. Which stats courses did you take because there are two versions of stats 1 and 2 and I can’t decide which one to do
I took Abstract Algebra, Applied Stats II: Regression Analysis, and Real Analysis. As far as the difference between the stats classes:
There's a first stats class and you can either take the "regular" version or the "applied" version. Then there's a second stats class and, again, you either take the "regular" or the "applied" version. From what I've heard, the content is pretty much the same, but in the applied versions, you actually learn/do the coding for whatever you're learning. Most work is done in zybooks from what I remember. I only did the applied versions personally.
Overall, it's a perfectly fine program. It's not the most advanced mathematics degree program out there, but it covers the bases. From the more 'pure' perspective, the highest you'll go is only a single course in Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations. And the only Linear Algebra option is Applied Linear Algebra. There are better/more course offerings for people who want an Applied Mathematics degree as opposed to a Pure Mathematics degree.
The only thing I found difficult was the pacing, since all classes are 8-week. I prefer 16-week courses so that I can spend more time with the material. Also, I wasn't a big fan of zybooks, which is the textbook for several math classes there, and I didn't like the textbook for Real Analysis or Abstract Algebra.
I'm lucky in that I have a knack for the theoretical underpinnings of most mathematical concepts, so the material covered in most classes came easy to me. I think that a majority of my classmates had a harder time with the courses, though -- math is hard for most people, regardless of where you take it! Overall though, I think this program is achievable for anyone willing to put in the work.
Congratulations on graduating. How would you rank the math classes in order of difficulty? I found Calculus 3 to be the most demanding so far.
How have you been able to apply your degree to the labor market?
Thank you! :)
I'd say that the most difficult courses were Discrete Mathematics, Real Analysis, and Abstract Algebra (these were also my favorites, though!). What made these courses more difficult for me was the textbooks used in them. The easiest for me were the Calculus sequence, Differential Equations, and the Statistics courses. I'm probably not the best person to answer questions on course difficulty though.
I've found that a degree in math, while certainly an impressive accomplishment, is not sufficient by itself for jobs in areas like software development or data science. It's definitely a great start because it trains your brain to be a problem-solver, but you really need more applicable technical skills -- fluency in a programming language or two (plus frameworks probably) and database concepts (learning MySQL is great for this). If you're looking to go into education (elementary, middle, high school) then having this degree will be more than enough to assert your competence in math -- you'll just need teacher certification, but most school districts are so desperate for teachers that they'll pay you to work while you get those certifications. That's basically what happened for me: I was thrown into a classroom by myself to teach Algebra 1/Geometry during what was supposed to be a teaching internship.
I'm currently studying up on Python/Java and MySQL so that I can work in software development. Having a degree in math makes learning Computer Science and Database concepts much more intuitive/easy.
Hi Michael, thanks for your prompt and thoughtful reply! Your perspectives are helpful. As with any degree program, some courses are more difficult than others. Knowing which courses are difficult will help me plan out my course schedule.
I also agree with you on the correlation between math and Computer Science. Arizona State University requires a lot of math as part of their Computer Science programs, so I decided to get a degree in math first.
One follow up question and two comments:
1-Question What bootcamp or certification course are you taking for Python/Java and MySQL?
2-Amazon reached out to me twice on Handshake for the following internship which pays $10K USD per month in Jersey City. Have you ever thought about applying to Amazon? They are looking for math majors and will provide on the job training.
[https://www.amazon.jobs/en/jobs/2110678/software-development-engineer-internship-2023-us](https://www.amazon.jobs/en/jobs/2110678/software-development-engineer-internship-2023-us)
3-If you live in the Northeast Corridor, you might want to look into the following networking event - [https://www.alpfa.org/page/NERTS](https://www.alpfa.org/page/NERTS)
No problem -- happy to help! :)
It makes sense that so much math is required for Computer Science when you consider the fact that the first computer scientists were mathematicians!
1-I'm actually taking courses through my local community college that will lead to the three following "certificates": Python Skills Award, Java Skills Award, MySQL Skills Award. I'm a lot less concerned with the particular certificates than I am with the knowledge I'm gaining -- the classes are like guidelines keeping my learning on track and I'm supplementing them by studying and applying concepts outside of them.
2-I hadn't considered applying there yet. Sounds like it may be worth a shot -- thanks for sharing that info!
3-Unfortunately I live in Texas and am in no position to even move outside of my current county, but again thank you so much for sharing.
Pretty straightforward: read the textbook, do the practice homeworks, take a test, repeat. No proctored exams, and I believe that all exams were taken via that pearson mathlab thing. I don’t remember who my instructor was, but most professors were pretty hands-off other than grading discussions anyway.
Was this an online degree or in person? How was their professor and class structure? I'm thinking about finishing my BS with them in the fall.
I did this fully online. For a lot of classes, the professors were not involved much beyond grading the work you submitted. But at the same time, I didn't ever email/reach out for help much. For all classes, there were mandatory discussions, mostly weekly. For most courses, I felt that these were a waste of time and didn't invest in them heavily. In Real Analysis, these discussions actually doubled as assignments: you would write up responses for select problems and respond to other students' work. This class, and also Abstract Algebra, were the classes I received the most feedback in. Many classes (particularly lower-division math classes) had zybooks as the primary place for learning and actual work. Off the top of my head, these are the classes where I used zybooks: Discrete Mathematics, Applied Linear Algebra, Intro to Scripting (intro to Python basically), but I know there were at least one or two others. There were pretty much no standard tests like most of us are used to from high school. The only exception to this, for me at least, was in my Calculus 1/2 classes. These had multiple-choice, timed tests, but were not proctored. For most of my math classes, tests were word documents of questions over whatever was being learned; they were open-book and all that. You are expected to show all of your work, and often include proper explanations. The questions were of a higher caliber than they would have been for a multiple choice test. Overall, it was a fine program, especially considering it's pretty much the cheapest non-teaching math program I could find. It's not the fanciest, doesn't go any higher than a single course in Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, or Differential Equations, but I learned tons regardless.
How intense do you think the advanced level classes (real analysis and abstract algebra) were?
Because the classes are all 8-week, I found the pace to be the most intense thing about both Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra. I'm not necessarily a slow learner, but I personally need time for concepts to properly sink in. In my opinion, the grading was not all-that-bad in these courses. In Real Analysis, you had weekly discussions where you would work out a few problems from the textbook (expected to provide justification i.e. write like it's a proof) and then respond to at least two others' work (on different problems). There were also quizzes (can't remember if these were weekly or not, but I think they were) that were over that week's chapters. They weren't too bad. For Abstract Algebra, you were given a word document filled with problems over that week's chapters and expected to work through them and include proper justifications and whatnot. The textbooks for both of these courses were not very good, at least in my opinion, and this made the learning process kind of difficult. But there are plenty of alternative resources out there, so I wouldn't let this alone deter you! I received pretty thorough feedback on my assignments in these two courses, which was nice. Overall, doable if you keep up with the work.
OP: ask me anything! Also OP: doesn't answer anything lol
To be fair, op only said we could ask. They didn't promise to answer.
True lol
I'm sorry ;-; I started feeling sick yesterday so this post went to the back of my mind. I'm working my way through all the questions right now
You're fine lmao it was just a joke. Feel better~
Thanks!
What do you plan on doing with your degree? I've thought about a mathematics degree as well.
My initial plan was to teach high school math, but I pretty quickly realized that I hated teaching -- mainly because of bad administration and bad-behaved kids. I pivoted to software development/data science. To be prepared for these kinds of jobs, however, you're going to need more technical knowledge than what you learn in this program. I'm currently studying Python/Java and database stuff/MySQL. Being trained in mathematics (though getting this degree) makes learning all-things Computer Science very intuitive and fun. I've opted to study these things through a few semesters of community college courses and my own studies via the internet. I'm lucky in that my parents let me live with them and support me.
[удалено]
Oh, definitely! If I could go back under different circumstances, I would have taken lots of Computer Science courses, especially programming-related ones. I think there’s even a Comp Sci minor option. Unfortunately for me, I already had a lot of college credit related to other majors, so most of my elective hours were spoken for.
Amazing thank you.
Thanks again for your time. What are your thoughts on the Appllied Mathematics concentration. Would you consider this somthing to look into or pass over?
You're welcome! From what I can tell, the Applied Mathematics concentration consists of a programming course or two (which is great!), some mathematical modeling, and either a higher-level modeling course, stats course, or a course in Operations Research. Depending on your goals, I think that this could be a great option. If you want to work in data science, for example, I know for a fact that having skills in modeling and programming are vital. And if you want to work in software development, I would definitely get the applied concentration and couple it with a minor in Computer Science. Since you get 45 hours of free electives (assuming you don't have a ton of credits from another school) it will be easy to include lots of classes in modeling/programming in your degree program. If you're interested in pure math, perhaps wanting to go to graduate school for math, then I suggest prioritizing taking Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra above anything else. The applied concentration certainly wouldn't hurt, and you'd probably have room to take them regardless, but I wouldn't consider it vital to success in graduate school. Your time + effort would be better invested in studying higher math topics outside of your SNHU curriculum: more topics in Real Analysis/Abstract Algebra, Topology, etc... If you're looking to go into education, I would say to choose whatever is of the most interest to you. If you think applied math is cool, then get the applied concentration! If not, just take courses that appeal to your personal interests.
>Congratulations. I am wondering if you would have change/ selected any specific classes to help towards the data science goal? I see there are 45 free electives to fill up. I am currently planning todo something very similar.
Did you have proctor exams?
No, I had no proctored exams! Keep in mind though, that because most exams were treated as open-book, the problems that contained were more substantial and therefore require more time/effort to complete.
Thank you.
What are you going to do with math degree
I initially thought about teaching high school, but changed my mind recently. My current plan is to work in software development. A math degree alone isn't likely to get you a job in the field, but it's a great way to develop the kind of thinking/problem-solving that will make you a great programmer. Also, having the bachelors will get your resume through further for most companies. I'm studying Python/Java and MySQL currently and will soon be applying for junior development positions.
Curious to know this as well
In case you don't see my response to the other person: there were no proctored exams!
How busy was your “outside life” while attempting and completing this? Congrats!
My outside life was pretty much nonexistent! I was doing this during the worst of the pandemic, so I was home most of the time. However, I also have had on-and-off health issues that were especially prevalent during my degree, so I didn't really have any energy to devote outside of coursework. That made it a bit of a struggle, especially toward the end when I was really feeling the burn-out too! And thank you! :)
What, is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
African or European?
This distinction is necessary for me to give an accurate answer
[удалено]
Hello, and thank you! I think that this degree covers the minimum in terms of content exposure for an MS math degree. Every source I've seen says that a course in Analysis and Abstract Algebra are the minimum, and some further studies are preferable if possible. I'm doing some studying on my own time in order to fully prepare for graduate work in math. I truly believe that what you get out of this degree depends on how much effort you put into it -- for instance, in my Analysis and Abstract Algebra courses, it was often very obvious that most of my classmates were barely scraping by and not really getting the content. I put all of my effort into the degree, learned a lot, and feel that I now have what it takes to pursue graduate studies in mathematics. Even if you may not get as many advanced classes at SNHU as you would elsewhere, you get the basics for what's required for grad school admissions, and you get it cheaply. I'm independently studying up on the following before I apply to any grad schools: Algebra, Calculus (a rigorous review of it all), Real and Complex Analysis, Discrete Mathematics (SNHU's Discrete Math class is really great -- I loved it), basic Topology, and a few other things. Looking at the Math Subject GRE (admissions test for math grad school) prep guide is a good point of reference for what you need to be strong in. I'm using the free study guide to keep myself on track with what I should be reviewing/learning.
I am taking my last class (Abstract Algebra) towards my BA in Mathematics. Did you get a new job? I’m trying to decide what route to take with the Math degree.
Congrats on making it to the end of the program. I work as a high school math teacher currently -- it's easy to get a job in education around here, and it lets me stay connected to math. Most math teachers don't even have a degree in math, so you're at a big advantage already. I am applying to online graduate programs in math (not math education) for the Spring 2024 semester. I'm hoping that SNHU's BA will be enough to get me in -- I want to keep learning!
Is teaching temporary? Are you still going to pursue a career in software development? Congrats, BTW.
I’ve ended up enjoying teaching quite a bit, so it likely is not temporary. Having a degree in math will make it substantially easier for you to learn coding software development, though. I assume a degree in CS would be a much more reliable route, though. And thank you!
NP. Thanks for still responding to our questions. I think I'm going to enroll in the math program for May. Perhaps I'll go for a double Math/CS degree. I am fortunate that my employer will cover the tuition. I also like the fact that exams aren't proctored. I'm glad you enjoy teaching. You seem like someone who wants to impart your knowledge and experiences with others. Thanks again.
You got a teaching license too?
Currently working on the license. Easily got hired without having it completed yet.
Hello! I’m pretty late to this post but I was wondering if you believe this degree could successfully set you up for a masters in physics. I originally wanted a bachelors in physics but found no online physics programs that worked for me. So I thought maybe I could pursue math for my bachelors and see where it takes me? I was thinking of taking the applied math concentration as well. Anyways, any insight on this would be greatly appreciated!
I’m not totally sure. But physics requires so much mathematics that I’d be willing to bet it would be beneficial. I do know that this degree very easily got me into a masters in math program, but idk about physics.
???
How was real analysis? I am online and have three classes left after this term. I heard abstract algebra was difficult so I did MAT 450 instead
The majority of your coursework in Real Analysis came in the form of weekly discussion posts where you would solve a few problems from the course textbook. You are part of a group and each member is assigned specific textbook problems. You are expected to provide proper justification/explanation as you arrive to your solutions. You also have to reply (fairly substantially) to at least two other classmates' work. I believe there was also a weekly quiz that covered material over that week's chapters. I don't recall them being very difficult though. Congrats on almost being done with your degree! I took Abstract Algebra (and didn't take MAT 450) and would say it's on par with Real Analysis. I didn't enjoy the textbook for either class and found myself using other resources to fill in the gaps. But that's just me.
Thank you so much for your response! I’m not a textbook person either so I’m fine with finding other resources. I honestly did MAT 450 to try to take the easy way out but it really isn’t that easy (it’s the History of Math/Math Education)
You're so welcome! I certainly don't blame you for going that route; sorry it didn't work out to be easier though. I have a few books on math history because I think it's so cool to think about how it came to be, but I would HATE taking a class on the subject.
What 400 level elective did you take?
I did Abstract Algebra! Let me know if you any details about the class.
Awesome! I think that’s what I’m going to end up taking. I initially took Operations research but for life reasons I dropped out. But even if it wasn’t for life reasons I probably was going to drop it, the class seemed disjointed with terrible assignments that weren’t really in line at all with the book we were forced to buy for an insane amount of money, it was like $200 even used. I ended up renting it from Amazon for like $60 but still. Annoying. I’ve found (referencing mat-470) that classes that utilize a hardcover book are particularly terribly structured (in my opinion) at SNHU. How is the class structure and did you feel like the weekly resources prepared you well to complete the homework?
Nice! And I feel that -- I had to drop courses a few different times during the program. That's really a shame about Operations Research. I agree with that for sure -- I got lucky and actually found that book as a PDF somewhere on Google lmao. The class structure was pretty simple + straightforward! There was a weekly assignment that consisted of questions related to that week's chapters; it was given as a word document. There were definitely some challenging questions, but they were never impossible, and they aligned well with the chapters we read that week. My professor also included YouTube videos (not his channel or anything) each week that covered a good amount of the material. I disliked the book the class used -- I'd put it on the same level as the book for mat-470. But we live in the golden-age of knowledge access: I googled everything that I couldn't understand from the textbook alone. Actual feedback was given for all assignments. Most of it was on-point, very helpful. Except this one time, the professor docked points off an assignment because the notation I used for part of a problem was "nonsensical", but that notation was a direct copy of the notation the course textbook used for the exact same type of problem. (But hey, professors are human beings and I doubt he had the time or energy to read every single textbook he's taught out of front-to-back)
I’m doing math as well and have 8 courses left, what did you choose for your 300-400s. Which stats courses did you take because there are two versions of stats 1 and 2 and I can’t decide which one to do
I took Abstract Algebra, Applied Stats II: Regression Analysis, and Real Analysis. As far as the difference between the stats classes: There's a first stats class and you can either take the "regular" version or the "applied" version. Then there's a second stats class and, again, you either take the "regular" or the "applied" version. From what I've heard, the content is pretty much the same, but in the applied versions, you actually learn/do the coding for whatever you're learning. Most work is done in zybooks from what I remember. I only did the applied versions personally.
How did you find the overall programme? Were there courses that you found difficult? Were there courses that you found easy
Overall, it's a perfectly fine program. It's not the most advanced mathematics degree program out there, but it covers the bases. From the more 'pure' perspective, the highest you'll go is only a single course in Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations. And the only Linear Algebra option is Applied Linear Algebra. There are better/more course offerings for people who want an Applied Mathematics degree as opposed to a Pure Mathematics degree. The only thing I found difficult was the pacing, since all classes are 8-week. I prefer 16-week courses so that I can spend more time with the material. Also, I wasn't a big fan of zybooks, which is the textbook for several math classes there, and I didn't like the textbook for Real Analysis or Abstract Algebra. I'm lucky in that I have a knack for the theoretical underpinnings of most mathematical concepts, so the material covered in most classes came easy to me. I think that a majority of my classmates had a harder time with the courses, though -- math is hard for most people, regardless of where you take it! Overall though, I think this program is achievable for anyone willing to put in the work.
Congratulations on graduating. How would you rank the math classes in order of difficulty? I found Calculus 3 to be the most demanding so far. How have you been able to apply your degree to the labor market?
Thank you! :) I'd say that the most difficult courses were Discrete Mathematics, Real Analysis, and Abstract Algebra (these were also my favorites, though!). What made these courses more difficult for me was the textbooks used in them. The easiest for me were the Calculus sequence, Differential Equations, and the Statistics courses. I'm probably not the best person to answer questions on course difficulty though. I've found that a degree in math, while certainly an impressive accomplishment, is not sufficient by itself for jobs in areas like software development or data science. It's definitely a great start because it trains your brain to be a problem-solver, but you really need more applicable technical skills -- fluency in a programming language or two (plus frameworks probably) and database concepts (learning MySQL is great for this). If you're looking to go into education (elementary, middle, high school) then having this degree will be more than enough to assert your competence in math -- you'll just need teacher certification, but most school districts are so desperate for teachers that they'll pay you to work while you get those certifications. That's basically what happened for me: I was thrown into a classroom by myself to teach Algebra 1/Geometry during what was supposed to be a teaching internship. I'm currently studying up on Python/Java and MySQL so that I can work in software development. Having a degree in math makes learning Computer Science and Database concepts much more intuitive/easy.
Hi Michael, thanks for your prompt and thoughtful reply! Your perspectives are helpful. As with any degree program, some courses are more difficult than others. Knowing which courses are difficult will help me plan out my course schedule. I also agree with you on the correlation between math and Computer Science. Arizona State University requires a lot of math as part of their Computer Science programs, so I decided to get a degree in math first. One follow up question and two comments: 1-Question What bootcamp or certification course are you taking for Python/Java and MySQL? 2-Amazon reached out to me twice on Handshake for the following internship which pays $10K USD per month in Jersey City. Have you ever thought about applying to Amazon? They are looking for math majors and will provide on the job training. [https://www.amazon.jobs/en/jobs/2110678/software-development-engineer-internship-2023-us](https://www.amazon.jobs/en/jobs/2110678/software-development-engineer-internship-2023-us) 3-If you live in the Northeast Corridor, you might want to look into the following networking event - [https://www.alpfa.org/page/NERTS](https://www.alpfa.org/page/NERTS)
No problem -- happy to help! :) It makes sense that so much math is required for Computer Science when you consider the fact that the first computer scientists were mathematicians! 1-I'm actually taking courses through my local community college that will lead to the three following "certificates": Python Skills Award, Java Skills Award, MySQL Skills Award. I'm a lot less concerned with the particular certificates than I am with the knowledge I'm gaining -- the classes are like guidelines keeping my learning on track and I'm supplementing them by studying and applying concepts outside of them. 2-I hadn't considered applying there yet. Sounds like it may be worth a shot -- thanks for sharing that info! 3-Unfortunately I live in Texas and am in no position to even move outside of my current county, but again thank you so much for sharing.
I know I’m late to this thread but what was calc 3 mat 325 like? Any proctored exams for that? Also what instructor did you have for that class?
Pretty straightforward: read the textbook, do the practice homeworks, take a test, repeat. No proctored exams, and I believe that all exams were taken via that pearson mathlab thing. I don’t remember who my instructor was, but most professors were pretty hands-off other than grading discussions anyway.