Quantitative Risk(UNSW) vs Financial Maths + Stats(USyd) (2 Viewers)

[Nick_K]

Hey guys, is there much difference between these two majors? Does one offer an advantage over the other? The only difference I can really tell is that UNSW has a few commerce subjects in there.

UNSW Quantitative Risk:
http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2012/MATHR13986.html

USyd Financial Mathematics and Statistics:
http://www.maths.usyd.edu.au/u/PS/financial.html

Thanks

 

[Shadowdude]

You have to be invited to do Quantitative Risk at UNSW. You can't just walk in and say "I'm doing Quant. Risk!"

 

[muzeikchun852]

what happen if you aren't invited but you still want to do it ?

 

[apollo1]

what happen if you aren't invited but you still want to do it ?

you take all the professors hostage and demand to be invited otherwise you will start shooting each person one at a time.

 

[Shadowdude]

what happen if you aren't invited but you still want to do it ?

Talk to them and see if they'll let you in.

 

[hungwell1337]

You have to be invited to do Quantitative Risk at UNSW. You can't just walk in and say "I'm doing Quant. Risk!"

one does not simply walk into quantitative risk

 

[muzeikchun852]

Talk to them and see if they'll let you in.

is there a certain WAM that you need to get into quant. risk ?

 

[Nick_K]

I'm guessing they base it off your 3/4u marks muzeikchun.

So assuming one got into Quant. Risk, is there much difference in the actual coursework from USyd's financial maths major?

 

[Shadowdude]

is there a certain WAM that you need to get into quant. risk ?

To transfer in, probably. But from the HSC, they go from 3u/4u marks.

I'm guessing they base it off your 3/4u marks muzeikchun.

So assuming one got into Quant. Risk, is there much difference in the actual coursework from USyd's financial maths major?

Financial Maths at Sydney you can walk straight into. Quant. Risk at UNSW you have to be invited to. Obviously they're going to give the harder work to the Quant. Risk people - so there's going to be a lot of difference, I imagine.

 

[muzeikchun852]

I'm guessing they base it off your 3/4u marks muzeikchun.

So assuming one got into Quant. Risk, is there much difference in the actual coursework from USyd's financial maths major?

To transfer in, probably. But from the HSC, they go from 3u/4u marks.

what mark do you need for quant. risk ? ~190/200 ?

btw. what are planning to major in shadowdude ?

 

[Trebla]

I'm guessing they base it off your 3/4u marks muzeikchun.

So assuming one got into Quant. Risk, is there much difference in the actual coursework from USyd's financial maths major?

Yes, there is a huge difference.

Quantitative risk =/= Financial mathematics

I've done the financial mathematics side and it is mainly about optimisation and developing sophisticated pricing models (+ some stats) based on assumptions about financial markets and consumer behaviour.

I don't think that's got much to do with quantitative risk which from my understanding is about methods of quantifying risk and minimising risk (think insurance, actuary etc).

 

[dionb2014]

Financial engineering also sounds extremely interesting although I am not sure if it is offered at any Australian Universities

 

[Nick_K]

Thanks Trebla that's really helpful, I'm not as interested in the actuary side.

@muzeikchun I think the cutoff is 95+ for both 3/4u.
@dionb Yeah I'm pretty sure you're right, you'd have to go overseas for a MFE.

 

[Shadowdude]

I'm gonna try and major in Pure. Though statistics and applied seem more interesting now.

 

[deterministic]

Quant Risk (UNSW) is pretty overrated. Don't do it unless you are keen on honours.

 

[muzeikchun852]

Quant Risk (UNSW) is pretty overrated. Don't do it unless you are keen on honours.

mind to explain further? overrated in what ways?

 

[deterministic]

mind to explain further? overrated in what ways?

It's essentially a maths/finance degree but with an honours year attached to the end. You don't really learn anything special and certain subjects in the program (SCIF and MATH2881) aren't great. You have greater flexibility in a maths/finance degree while doing similar courses. The name is just a marketing tool employed by the school of maths.

 

[Shadowdude]

SCIF is great though. I may have found my soulmate in it =P

Or, at least a really awesome girl.

 

[hungwell1337]

SCIF is great though. I may have found my soulmate in it =P

Or, at least a really awesome girl.

you mean the only girl thats willing to talk to you

 

[4025808]

SCIF is great though. I may have found my soulmate in it =P

Or, at least a really awesome girl.

I thought SCIF was shit overall though...