Math or Computer Science degree for S&T?
Which degree is more applicable to trading: math or computer science? If I major in math, then I can choose concentrations such as statistics or mathematical finance. If I major in computer science, I can probably also get a stats minor if I bust my ass. I heard that programming is a very useful skill in algo trading, but I also feel that programming can be self-taught and a CS major would be overkill (there is a course dedicated to writing an operating system). Most of the CS majors find jobs in tech while most of the math majors find actual finance jobs at my school.
If I could do it all over again, I would have majored in Econ and Comp Sci.
Depends on the type of trading you'd like to do. Comp sci will help you with high-frequency algo trading, while a math degree could help you with algo or any other style. I'd recommend math major with CS minor if possible.
Depends on the type of trading, really. If you want to work at an algo trading firm, CS is almost a requirement (along with, most likely, a 2nd quantitative major and a 3.5/4.0 or higher GPA at a top school). For BB trading, a pseudo-quantitative major with a high GPA is your best bet.
I'm thinking about doing both... hmmmm. Maybe consider it?
Do both? Most people I know who did CS easily got a Math minor as well.
I would say CS would be way more practical. I work for a prop firm now, but the others are right you can probably get by with just a handful of programming classes at some placse
Just so you know that I'm not completely talking out of my ass, I recently accepted a FT prop trading offer. I'm a Math major.
To be honest, though, I think you should just go with the major that will make you happier. You'll be in a great spot either way, especially compared with the vast majority of folks who have some form of humanities degree. If you're thinking about a tech career at all, though, you may want to go with CS -- just for the sake of keeping your options open. I know some Math guys who've been accepting offers from major tech companies, but they've demonstrated programming acumen above and beyond most CS majors. It's definitely an uphill fight. By the same token, if you're considering doctoral studies at all (I'm hoping to pursue them myself one day), then I think Math is probably where you should be.
In a weird way, I chose Math because Programming interested me more than math in high school. So, I figured I could learn the programming side of things on my own, and be "forced" to study math. Not that math isn't interesting -- I honestly don't think I would've been happy studying anything else -- It would have just taken me far more self-discipline to self-study mathematics than it would to study programming, which is (for lack of a better word) fun.
Also: To echo what someone said earlier, study more Statistics than you think you need to.
You should pursue whichever one engages and interests you more, because ultimately your work too should be centered on something that holds your interests. However, if it’s all the same to you and you have no particular preference, computer science is probably the better option. Firstly, while it’s possible to acquaint yourself with any subject, a computer science degree from an accredited, reputed college will give you a depth and diversity of knowledge that you cannot possibly gain on your own. It will also back your practical know-how and acquired skill with the required theoretical instruction. www.collegeamerica.edu/information-technology/bachelors/computer-scienc…
S&T : math genius? (Originally Posted: 01/21/2016)
Hi fellas,
I'm a freshman who wants to break into trading.
The thing is, I'm not exactly a math genius, my current math skills are decent but not spectacular.
I am however very passionate about Computer Science and that contains a fair amount of math.
Is Computer Science a good major for people who want to break into trading or is it a better idea to major in a more quantitave field like math, physics or chemistry?
I know that contrary to populair belief investment bankers who handle M&A don't need to be math rockstars but I don't know if that applies to S&T too.
All help regarding this issue would be greatly appreciated.
S&T does not require even close to math genius level. CS is just as quantitative as math, physics and chemistry, and would position you better for an electronic/algorithmic trading role. But a STEM degree is definitely not required at all, I'd say the biggest draw is the school you go to.
lebron
Really? Well thats great to know.
Any idea why so many folks in S&T do have STEM degrees if its not necessary? I mean, why go through all the pain of obtaining such a degree and taking a risk on multiple levels including your GPA if a Liberal Arts degree will do?
I know I want to major in CS regardless of that because I'm passionate about it but I can't imagine everybody is.
And since serious math skills aren't required, which qualities are?
I wasn't aware STEM degrees were that highly represented in S&T. Maybe for the more quantitative desks, sure, but as a whole, no.
Those people probably enjoyed the major. There's more to what you study in college than whether or not it'll net you a job. If you are passionate about CS, that's great, because you'll definitely be a potential candidate for not just S&T, but also quant trading, and tech firms assuming you go the route of software developer.
Don't get me wrong, serious math skills are required, if you're interested in a quantitative desk. But many desks are not quantitative, and you can see many analysts/associates on them with liberal arts degrees and other softer courses of study (also, we need to define serious math skills, because a lot of people see mental math and basic probability theory and confer that as "serious math skills". Serious math skills are the types of problems you see at Jane Street or as an exotics pricing quant).
If you're after qualities, I'd say the best mix is to go to a good school, and to be personable. The first is to get the interviews, the second is to pass the interviews. Contrary to popular belief, it's really not about knowledge (again, ignoring the heavily quant desks here). I have a friend who didn't know the difference between equities and fixed income, and she got the offer. Don't overthink it.
Comp Sci is probably one of, if not the best majors for modern day S&T. Almost every trader is fluent in some form of computer language (a decent number are fluent in multiple) Definitely do not drop it for something more quant, unless you want to go to a quant fund. If you look at quant places like Renaissance. they will specifically ask for advanced degrees in one of the more math-y fields. For normal traders college/university level math is almost never used. Understanding some more advanced stats concepts will probably be valuable though.
I interned on an S&T desk when I was in college, and I was a philosophy major... No one is a quantitative savant by any means, but there's always that one guy who is so smart you're just like "wtf?". We had a guy who was a former astrophysicist on our program trading desk who was also involved in optimizing dark pool algos and all that stuff. He told me he sent his kids to Russian math camp (whatever the fuck that means).
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First of all, thank you guys for your contribution, it definitely gave me some usefull insides.
lebron I'm not specifically looking for a quant role, so it's good to know that CS will be a good fit for normal trading positions.
I definetly wouldn't define mental math and basic probability theory as serious math. I'm talking about the advanced string theory rocket science Sheldon Cooper type of math if you catch my drift.
lordbendtner I'm kind of suprised you say that even college level math isn't used to often. What kind of math do they use then besides add, multiply and subtract?
NESCAC Did you have any kind of problems at all during that time as a result of that fact or was it totally cool? Did this happen recently btw?
No one cared, it has always been a good talking point because I wasn't an economics major like everyone else. This was ~4-5 years ago. Ultimately, it'll depend on the complexity of the product you trade (which is irrelevant as an intern).
Even many of the guys on exotics trading desks come from finance and econ backgrounds. In other words, you just need to be a sharp thinker, your major is irrelevant.
Does anyone have an idea which code languages are useful for the purpose of trading and which languages one should stay away from?
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