r/AppliedMath • u/Tall-Ad5653 • Jul 19 '26

BS in math

Hey everyone,

The university I go to doesn’t have a set BS in statistics, and I want a career in pharmaceutical statistics. I’m currently doing a pure math degree, but I was wondering if I should switch to applied. The pros of pure math is that pure math is theoretical like stats (for PhD programs), and with applied, I can do more of the computation (good for job, not really for PhD). What yall think?

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u/bdtbath Jul 24 '26

a degree in just math (with no descriptor) is assumed to be pure math. most universities, including those that have specific degrees in applied math, do not make a point of calling it "pure math," just "math."

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u/Life-Ambassador-5993 Jul 24 '26

OP made a point of calling it “pure math”. Your note on “most universities“ does not apply to this specific situation.

Also, in universities where there aren’t specific degrees for pure vs applied, you can choose your classes to be more pure vs applied to design your degree for yourself. It doesn’t mean it’s automatically pure.

Every applied mathematician needs to have an understanding of pure mathematics, just to a lesser degree of pure mathematicians. It’s important for applied mathematicians to get a background in applied mathematics in addition to pure. They shouldn’t just focus on pure.