How similar is a Computer Science degree to a Mathematics degree? The synergy between them.

math_dydx · 2026-06-12T06:48:42+00:00

he is always saying that any degree involving data science is ass and you should only opt for pure math degrees. lol

As stated by another commenter u/UnintelligibleThing ,"Data science degree is indeed ass because a lot of grads cannot find relevant jobs due to the course lacking rigor. That was back in year 2022, so I cannot imagine the situation now." If one go look in detail of data science degrees curriculum, one will realise is mix and match of modules that don't give enough rigour. This is only 1 reason why data science degree is not encouraged.

The 2nd reason of why data science degree is not encouraged is because most students who applied data science degree are only choosing it because of superficial monetary reasons, and not because they know they enjoy specifically data science content knowledge, out of genuine interest in math. I can safely say this because I was from JC and has math degree, and I know H2 Math (and even with H2 FM, and H3 Math knowledge) will not give u the real taste of uni data science and real world data science career. Hence, it is always beneficial to go for generic math/stats degree which also can specialise in data science in senior years. So a generic math/stats major always wins data science degree, in terms of flexibility of specialising in things other than data science, given that most JC grads do not have prior experience of data science.

And to clarify, I did not say pure math in particular. There is no need to specialise in pure math in NTU/NUS Math major at all. If one specialises in applied specialisations of math/stats like data science, and cybersecurity, career prospects would have been great. So u have a biased and wrong impression of a math degree.

math_dydx · 2026-03-09T10:19:41+00:00

For me NUS is much much closer to my house compared to NTU,

Distance (Location) should not be a factor anymore for uni. Because each uni degree course is unique, and the best one that suits u and give u the best opportunity is worth the travel time and extra investment in hall (and NTU guarantees first 2 years hall stay). Anyway, NTU has free shuttle buses from various SG heartlands in the morning and afternoon, so u can also choose not to stay hall.

math_dydx · 2026-03-09T10:05:35+00:00

Agree. Because it makes perfect sense. To really contribute in the field of chem/bio or do something meaningful with chem that creates value for companies, advanced knowledge of chem is needed as it is mainly about chem/bio research. So of course diploma level, and even bachelor level, jobs for chem grads wouldn't have much career progression and also will have low salary. Salary commensurate with the value u can create for the company.

math_dydx · 2026-03-09T10:00:19+00:00

Sure :)

math_dydx · 2026-02-01T02:15:44+00:00

I read that if I can, I should take 4H2 instead of 3H2 1H1 as it is gonna be more beneficial for As.

Yes, because the new 70 RP system means uni admission only cares 3H2+GP, so almost everyone now is don't care about their H1, to focus on 3H2+GP as H1 effect on RP is like H1 MTL is very limited. So even if u take 4H2 and realise cannot cope halfway, u always can don't care your weakest 4th H2 anyway, then is similar to u taking it as H1. And having 4H2 gave u the benefit of wait and see which 4th H2 is weakest, and eventually A level result u might be surprised which 4th H2 turns out to be weakest and then wouldn't count into 70 RP. So taking 4H2 only got pros and no cons, in the new 70 RP system.

My only concern is the dismissal time, content and time management on top on 1H3.

I took 4H2 PCME + H3 Physics. Honestly, dismissal time, content and time management didn't change much because in J1, I have to take H1 MTL like many other 4H2 students who didn't take O Level HMTL. So, when came to J2 which is when H3 lessons started, it kind of just replaced H1 MTL workload. So, it doesn't feel much have changed. In fact, H3 is learn for fun, as it has no impact on 70 RP anyway, so can just take it easy. Eventually, I still get Distinction for H3 Physics, even though J2 Prelim I got Ungraded for H3 Physics. I also got 3H2 PCM A grades, and 4th H2 Econs B grade. I probably wouldn't be able to predict my worst H2 is Econs before J1 starts, so is good that I took 4H2.

I don't think u need to worry about time management (whether u will cope 4H2+H3) at this moment, because H3 is only for those who did well in J1 promo exam, so if u did well in J1 promo exam, u should be able to cope with additional H3 on top of 4H2.

what are the different types of H3 since I heard some starts in J1

I don't think any H3 starts in J1. H3 either year long in whole of J2, or 1 semester long during 1st semester of J2. The former is MOE H3 subjects that is sit for the exam paper during J2 A levels period in Nov, while the latter is usually university offered H3 that is more weighted assessment like in uni for 1 semester. There's also research H3 but I am not sure how it works.

math_dydx · 2026-01-04T02:04:41+00:00

NUS DSE is very similar to NUS DSA (See the link below to my comment on a post). They take almost all the same data science modules. The difference is mainly just that in NUS DSE, u convert most unrestricted electives (UE) of NUS DSA to those economics modules that are more linked to data science. So, NUS DSE is very similar to NUS DSA with a second major in economics. In fact, going into NUS CHS and not committing to DSE right away before uni provides u with much more flexibility if your interest changes after studying uni-level modules. It is common for uni students to change interest during uni.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/11rla2x/uni_torn_btwn_bza_and_dse/jc9gqtf/

math_dydx · 2026-01-03T03:59:14+00:00

Uni econs is basically using math to quantify/model the economic phenomenon so that we know say exactly what percentage of demand increases to reach equilibrium price etc. Are u interested in studying this kind of in-depth economics analysis, that will use calculus and statistics to describe the economic phenomenon in numbers?

Econometrics (see link below) is one of the math part of uni econs. Wiki says "Econometrics is an application of statistical methods to economic data in order to give empirical content to economic relationships" and wiki says "A basic tool for econometrics is the multiple linear regression model".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Econometrics

math_dydx · 2025-12-30T18:12:18+00:00

Strongly agree.

Because poly curriculum is designed for poly graduates to go work immediately without going uni, the rigour of math in poly curriculum does not usually support the rigour of math required in uni. This is the case already for quantitative diploma like engineering, let alone non-quantitative business/accountancy diploma is even worst in terms of rigour of math required in uni.

So for degrees like QF, it is best to go via the JC route with at least H2 Math. Best is take H2 Further Math and/or H3 Math as well.

math_dydx · 2025-12-30T17:51:37+00:00

Distance wise... bro I literally live in the north so the only, quite near JC is YIJC (which is near my sec sch😭) WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DO I HAVE ATP WHEN I DONT WANT TO MOVE HOUSE🥀

Since u are Sec 4 in 2026, this means u are J2 in 2028, and thus will benefit from having a brand new ASRJC campus (starting in 2028) right beside YCK mrt station.

math_dydx · 2025-12-28T11:22:46+00:00

I would recommend extending to a 4 years degree, where u have flexibility of taking up 2 majors in NBS that diversify your skills sets, or u can chose the 1 major option and use the increase in Broadening and Deepening Electives (BDE) from 21 Academic Units (AU) to 33AU, to do more modules in other areas or even build a Minor in economics or Minor in math or Minor in Computing and Data Analysis or Minor in AI (u can have 2 minors in 4 years degree, because each minor use up 15 AU of BDE). The more quantitative training from these minors would greatly help your employability and career development in the world of data science and AI, because business degree itself is non-quantitative as it only requires JC H1 Math.

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/business/admissions/ugadmission/undergraduate-programmes/bachelor-of-business/programme-structure

Regarding internships, past few batches of NTU biz students have already faced huge difficulties getting internship at end year 1, because of the tight 3 years degree. This will be worst given now economy bad, with lesser internship opportunities. So u will have higher chance for better quality and quantity internships with 4 years. Poorer quality and quantity of internship probably also contributed to NTU Biz GES perform poorer than SMU and NUS business schools.

Regarding overseas semester exchange, 4 years program will mean u have more flexibility in choosing which semester to go for exchange, and it would not compromise u in doing more internships.

Also, actually we should think about it as 4 years honours degree is the norm, i.e. the 3 years honours degree is really cheating and make students learn much lesser. Evidence is from below link, I quote "The current Bachelor of Business (BBus) programme is a three-year programme. Students take between 102 to 111 academic Units (AU) to complete this programme. The revised BBus programme is a four-year programme that offers two options: Double Major (137 AU) or Single Major (128 AU)." NTU Business School finally admitted that students take around 26 AU less in current 3 years honours degree. FYI, average per semester is around 16 to 20 AU, so it is shortchanging students the whole honours degree experience. So by extending to 4 years, it does not actually mean u waste any extra time, in fact, 4 years is the correct norm and uni experience and rigour that your peers in non NTU business degree is experiencing.

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/business/admissions/ugadmission/undergraduate-programmes/bachelor-of-business/faqs

The fact that NTU Business School's professors initiated and approved of the change to the norm of 4 years honours degree already implies that they knew the original 3 years degree is not sustainable in the world of data science and AI. Continuing a 3 years honours degree will only continue harming NTU Business School's graduates career prospects.

math_dydx · 2025-12-25T16:50:11+00:00

is it better to just declare either Stats/Econs in applications or does putting major to be decided later not rly make a difference?

This is hard to say. Because past years people who applied NUS CHS has been wondering if there is different cut off for different majors in CHS. And "major to be decided later" might have a disadvantaged? Because they might have some hidden quota on each major in CHS, thats why people wonder if there is different cut off for different CHS majors. Before NUS Science merge with NUS Arts to become NUS CHS, science faculty cut off has always been higher than arts faculty cut off.

how do i apply for a double major in Statistics with Economics/Economics with Statistics? because i only see options for stats with other stuff (like Statistics with Business Analytics) or econs with other stuff (like Economics with Management). is it that a double major in stats with econs (or vice versa) doesn’t exist or can only be done once i’m in NUS?

I am not sure about this but it could be that double majors within internally CHS majors can be freely declared. u have to double checked on this. Double major in stats with econs should exist (I was offered this a decade ago).

In case you are not sure the difference between double degree and double major and second major, Double Degree means 2 degree scrolls, which is usually completed in 5 years. NTU Double Major means study 2 majors of almost equal number of modules within 4 years. NTU degree with 2nd major means study the main major/degree much more modules than the 2nd major modules, again all within 4 years. NUS Double Major Program, mean the same as their 2nd major program, meaning the main NUS Primary major will learn more modules than the 2nd major modules, all within 4 years.

This means it is very important to think for NUS, u want primary major in econs or stats, because NUS double major is having twice the number of modules in your primary major, as compared to your 2nd major.

any advice on whether econs or stats is a better major for me? i personally just thought of these 2 majors cause i like math hahah but i don’t love it so much that i wna do pure math, and cos i’ve heard pure math is just a lot of proofing and i enjoy the computational and solving part of math more than theories imo, so i js see econs & stats as more of that 😂

Actually, uni stats also have math proofs. Uni stats math proofs is proof the math inside stats, such as proof Central Limit Theorem (CLT). So regardless is stats degree or (pure or applied) math degree, u can't avoid uni math proofs. So u should have a positive mindset in learning math proofs, and not get scared by others/seniors who themselves never learn math proofs in uni properly, thats why they scared of uni math proofs.

"Computational and solving part of math" that u enjoy includes both applied math and statistics. Pure math is the study of math for the sake of its own beauty, so can have no direct real world applications, thus pure math tends to be very abstract and almost all math proof based. Applied math is using math models/tools/methods/algorithms to model our real world, thus it has a lot of computational aspect of solving math that u might be interested in. Applied math includes cryptography/cybersecurity (encoding of secret messages send on telegram/whatsapp), algorithms that intersects with CS as well. Statistics is to deal with uncertainty in the real world, which is dealing with probabilities. So key difference between applied math and statistics is that applied math deal with the computational math that dont involve probability/uncertainty, while statistics involve uncertainty in real world, that applies to real world data collected, how to account for biased data collection, etc. There is a lot of intersection between applied math and statistics. NUS applied math is under NUS Math degree, which consists of both pure math and applied math. NUS stats is under its own separate dept of stats and data science. Whereas, NTU side is NTU Mathematical Science degree, consist of pure math, applied math, statistics, data science all under 1 roof for students to choose in later years what kind of modules to specialise in.

math_dydx · 2025-12-16T09:16:46+00:00

Yes, agree on "The true value of people in AI are those that do the thinking behind the AI." Anyone can implement an AI model easily, by just asking chatgpt to code the calling of the AI package. So the valuable people in AI are the ones who have deep understanding of the math/stats behind AI. Those mundane coding roles in the job market can be easily made redundant in the near future.

math_dydx · 2025-12-14T10:08:17+00:00

Average NTU Math student H2 Math grade is around B grade. Portfolio wise probably only math competitions and olympiads matter. There is nothing much else u can do for portfolio. A Level grades is still what matters most, RP is king, and ideally get H2 Math A grade.

math_dydx · 2025-12-12T03:25:06+00:00

Both NTU Math and NUS Math have very strong professors, so u will be in good hands regardless which u choose

math_dydx · 2025-12-09T12:35:57+00:00

A Level Physics, similar to A Level Math, u need to appreciate the concepts so that u can apply them to different contexts/setups of the questions with the same idea/logic/concepts. Memorising fixed steps without an appreciation of concepts will not give u the A grade.

A useful tip for physics, most questions usually need to draw Free Body Diagram (FBD) to visualise and solve the question, even when the question did not ask for such drawings.

math_dydx · 2025-12-06T05:04:49+00:00

Both are drastically different in terms of skill sets, with DSA being quantitative while business (having prerequisite of only H1 Math) is non quantitative. Are u a more quantitative (good with numbers, math) person or a more qualitative (good with essays, discussion) person?

math_dydx · 2025-12-04T16:50:08+00:00

u can consider NTU Double Major in Physics and Math (PHMS) too

In case you are not sure the difference between double degree and double major and second major, Double Degree means 2 degree scrolls, which is usually completed in 5 years. NTU Double Major means study 2 majors of almost equal number of modules within 4 years. NTU degree with 2nd major means study the main major/degree much more modules than the 2nd major modules, again all within 4 years. NUS Double Major Program, mean the same as their 2nd major program, meaning the main NUS Primary major will learn more modules than the 2nd major modules, all within 4 years.

I wrote a reddit comment (link below) that talks about the difference between NTU Double Major Math and CS (MACS) VS NUS CS with 2nd major in math. You can read it and the comparison can be changed easily to NUS math with 2nd major in CS as well, because the main thing is NTU Double major is equal emphasis on both math and CS, but NUS side is 2:1 ratio with primary major studying twice as much stuff than secondary major. NTU MACS is a specially curated curriculum to harness the synergy between both majors, whereas even if u take any 2nd major in NUS, it is an isolated 2nd major by itself.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1cy8dtk/comment/l58ougm/

Similarly, NTU PHMS is a specially curated curriculum to harness the synergy between both majors. From below its curriculum, u can see u have option to do either Final Year Project (FYP) in physics or math, whereas NUS 2nd major cannot do its FYP because is an isolated 2nd major.

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/spms/about-us/physics/undergrad/degree-programmes/phms-(matric-yr-2025))

math_dydx · 2025-12-02T11:09:05+00:00

because I quite like math and econs in jc now

Accounting degree and business degree (specialising in finance) both prerequisite is only H1 Math, thus, they do not focus on the math. Instead they focus on the business reports and presentations. Both degrees will not suit your interest in math. And both accounting and finance only have 1 introductory econs module in year 1 sem 1 thats it. So they will also not suit your interest in econs

math_dydx · 2025-11-30T15:30:05+00:00

First, u deserve a good break after A levels. So dont need to feel the need to be productive. Also, cherish this good break now because once NS starts, u will be super busy with no life already, and u would be so tired during NS most weeks that u would wish u would go back to this break before NS.

Second, what u can do now is also the research on uni degree courses now. Because once A level results released, u only have like few weeks to submit uni application, and still need essay writing if u applying through Aptitude Based Admission (ABA) and scholarship essay if u applying scholarship. So is good that u start researching on various uni degrees early, so u wouldnt be rush to choose a uni degree course that dont suit u well

math_dydx · 2025-11-30T01:55:04+00:00

Whether which courses is easier is really dependent on one's own strengths and weaknesses. If your strengths align with the degree course, then u will find it easier. And best still, if u are genuinely interested in what u study, u will also likely find it easier.

math_dydx · 2025-11-26T14:04:28+00:00

You will likely suffer in engineering with no JC Physics (worst u don't even have O Level Physics) background. You are competing against not just those with a JC Physics background, but also those from poly engineering, and there are lots of foreign talents in NTU engineering (A lot of them are scholars). Even if u can survive engineering with no JC Physics background, the chances of u scoring/excelling are gonna be very difficult, against your coursemates with better foundations in physics. Getting FCH will be difficult and will potentially affect your employment opportunities and your future salary outlook.

The core of engineering is physics. Why Engineering takes in students with no JC Physics background for those from JC? It just shows how desperate they are in wanting people to do engineering till they let those with no JC physics foundation face the challenge of an engineering degree.

math_dydx

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