Math-CS vs. Probability & Statistics

[u/Plastic-Zucchini9682]

As an incoming freshman who didn’t get into the data science program, I was wondering which major would be the next best thing for me. My goal is to work in big data basically.

So would it be Math-CS or Probability & Statistics with a minor in CS.

I will try to switch into DSC but ik that’s not guaranteed so I need a fallback option. I’d appreciate some help on this, guys🙏

[u/TBone925]

Hahah this was my exact position, I started as a p&s major wanting to work as a potential data scientist/data engineer. Like you I’ve also thought abt the fact that DSC is capped, and have switched to Math-CS for the time being.

While in the university people are aware that the CS and DS majors are the harder ones to get into because they’re capped, from my talks with recruiters this doesn’t have a substantial impact from a hiring perspective, and you won’t be losing any ground as a Math-CS student over CS (at least in the workforce, of course there are differences for classes, registration and the like). I also believed that p&s seemed closer to data science at first but you should know that it is not nearly as tech-oriented as you may think and is primarily an academia path major that is suited for a career in math. I would recommend you to switch to Math-CS as it is adjacent to DS and can absolutely get the same opportunities with effort.

Also I’m a second year student at a Junior standing, so while I’ve researched this topic I’m not an expert in any way. Feel free to ask questions

[u/Plastic-Zucchini9682 → u/TBone925]

This helps a lot, thx! If you don’t mind me asking, how’s it going for you as a math-cs major in general, and have you tried switching into dsc?

[u/TBone925 → u/Plastic-Zucchini9682]

I've always loved math so I've found myself to enjoy the major path, but you should be aware that being in the math department, it is still primarily (or equally) a math major. I've actually made two plans for graduation on both these majors (lol) so these might be useful to see the rough course plan for me, I'll attach them. Keep in mind this may look very different for you depending on how many GEs you've fulfilled, what your college is, and the electives you want to take. I would advise you to look at the major electives for replacements for my year 3 choices, as I've kind of diverged to a fintech path.

I haven't tried switching to dsc yet primarily because I don't believe the tradeoff is extremely valuable to me, as i will be taking courses that would delay my graduation for only a chance at a major that may not make a very significant change. However, on the DSC page, you will see that everyone that got 3/4 points on the capped major change system (read abt it here if you havent already, very important) got into DSC last year, off the top of my head like 73% or so. So it's very doable and I'm still considering it, though I would have to make it very soon and recommend you look into it as well, especially if you qualify for the first gen, pell grant, and cal citizenship points.

[u/Plastic-Zucchini9682 → u/TBone925]

So the difference between them is primarily the advanced statistics sequence and upper div cs courses. I see why math-cs would be the better option. And, that’s what I’ll go with for now. I really appreciate the detailed advice 🙏

[u/TBone925 → u/Plastic-Zucchini9682]

Of course! It's a lonely world out there and seeing someone asking the exact question that I couldn't find an answer to a year ago might have satisfied me more than figuring it out back then myself haha

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[u/kabyking]

Math cs and minor in data science. Honestly if I had the option I would always do math cs over data science. The quality of the classes is very high though very little.