[M2k13]

(Original post by placenta medicae talpae)
MORSE is good because in general you get to choose how many coursework modules you do.
Some core or semi-core modules (like 'statistical computing' in first year) are entirely coursework, others have a small coursework component, assessed by weekly or fortnightly assignments.
But in general, you get to choose how many options such as ones which are computer-based you do (usually 100% coursework), and how many straight exam options.

Most people on MORSE start off doing quite a bit of maths, but do less and less as time goes on, to the point that they end up doing mostly business school or statistics or econ stuff.
So if you're definitely interested in doing maths, then maybe consider being one of the rare people who follow the stats and maths stream, or just transfer to straight maths.
But bear in mind that the kind of maths you do at A Level underpins all of these 'streams' (econ, stats, OR, et c.), so of course you'll still be dealing with mathematical techniques in these streams, and that uni maths is quite different to A Level maths.

Thank youu A lot to take in there, but what about the operational research side of it..?
Will I find it hard if I haven't done any decision modules at A level?


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[placenta medicae talpae]

(Original post by M2k13)
Thank youu A lot to take in there, but what about the operational research side of it..?
Will I find it hard if I haven't done any decision modules at A level?


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I think you'll be okay, probably
Lots of people who come to Warwick won't have done any before.

The only thing is that you have to start the coursework for the module right at its beginning.
That coursework is about linear programming, an example of which is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ACJ9...feature=relmfu

[CJAW]

The above is all really helpful, thanks!

[M2k13]

(Original post by placenta medicae talpae)
I think you'll be okay, probably
Lots of people who come to Warwick won't have done any before.

The only thing is that you have to start the coursework for the module right at its beginning.
That coursework is about linear programming, an example of which is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ACJ9...feature=relmfu

I see,
Thanks for the video, was interesting , I would probably find it nice then :P


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[buttermints]

Can anyone recommend any Maths/Stats/Economic books for me to read in preparation for MORSE?

[M2k13]

(Original post by buttermints)
Can anyone recommend any Maths/Stats/Economic books for me to read in preparation for MORSE?

Economist for economics.


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[placenta medicae talpae]

For anyone who hasn't done stats, here are some nice videos for you.
If you're not sure about any of the things on there, just click and watch
http://www.examsolutions.co.uk/maths...php#Statistics

[TheTallOne]

If you've managed to get in (yeah, A Level results aren't out for a few more weeks, I know) but a Facebook group has been set up for Maths (and Maths related degrees) for all 2012 joiners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/warwickmaths12/

Groups have been set up for the last two years as well (2011 and 2011 entry) and people have used it in for help/guidance on modules, assignments, exam prep and more - so it might be worth joining just to be able to chat to people about the course/life in general.

[fGDu]

(Original post by TheTallOne)
If you've managed to get in (yeah, A Level results aren't out for a few more weeks, I know) but a Facebook group has been set up for Maths (and Maths related degrees) for all 2012 joiners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/warwickmaths12/

Groups have been set up for the last two years as well (2011 and 2011 entry) and people have used it in for help/guidance on modules, assignments, exam prep and more - so it might be worth joining just to be able to chat to people about the course/life in general.

I'd love to join but I think it might come off as a bit confident to do that before I get results. Hope to be joining in about a months time.

[Femto]

(Original post by TheTallOne)
If you've managed to get in (yeah, A Level results aren't out for a few more weeks, I know) but a Facebook group has been set up for Maths (and Maths related degrees) for all 2012 joiners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/warwickmaths12/

Groups have been set up for the last two years as well (2011 and 2011 entry) and people have used it in for help/guidance on modules, assignments, exam prep and more - so it might be worth joining just to be able to chat to people about the course/life in general.

I really want to get into Warwick

Hoping to study mathematics so, as you're fully aware, I can't really join yet because my results can be really unpredictable.

[Alpha510]

Hello people.

So, just one question. I have just read about it, but no profound knowledge.

I just want to know what Operational Research is exactly about. Like, what do we study in that, etc?

Thank you for the time.

[jj193]

Probably not the best person to comment, but I think it's just optimisation techniques - Integer and dynamic programming. This might suggest it's programming, it isn't. I think it's a maze of inappropriate and misleading names.

[Narev]

I would suppose the "programming" part comes in to determine the most useful form of constructing an algorithm (optimization technique) in terms of its complexity.

In very simplified terms - Given algorithms which essentially produce the same outcome, one naturally would want to choose the "best" algorithm - this case being the algorithm which takes the least time to run.

(Or at least choose an algorithm which provides a good approximation to whatever you require, in the shortest time, or ...)

While in Year 1 / Year 2 MORSE you probably will cover how to use these algorithms, in future modules (and probably real life), you'd start to determine the complexity of these algorithms, and try to write efficient algorithms. That's probably where the programming comes in.

*Edit. The above is my take on "programming", not what "operations research" really is. Below is my take on operations research.

I suppose a simplified form would be: "Given a problem, are there any techniques which can be used to solve it? Can these techniques be generalized to other similar problems?"

Yes, you say. Suppose I have a Eulerian graph, I can draw an Eulerian cycle by the Hierholzer's algorithm. That's easy.

My question: Is this necessarily the most efficient algorithm? Previously, the algorithm to draw an Eulerian cycle was Fleury's algorithm, until Hierholzer's was created.

Hence my take on operations research would be:

"Given a problem, can I write an algorithm which comes up with the best solution, or at least a near optimal solution, weighing in mind the trade-off between best (or near best) solution and computing time. In some sense, if a best solution takes 100 days to be found, and a near best solution 1 day to be found, sometimes you might want the algorithm which gives the near best solution.

If an algorithm already exists for my problem, can I modify it to make it better?"

[Alpha510]

(Original post by jj193)
Probably not the best person to comment, but I think it's just optimisation techniques - Integer and dynamic programming. This might suggest it's programming, it isn't. I think it's a maze of inappropriate and misleading names.

(Original post by Narev)
I would suppose the "programming" part comes in to determine the most useful form of constructing an algorithm (optimization technique) in terms of its complexity.

In very simplified terms - Given algorithms which essentially produce the same outcome, one naturally would want to choose the "best" algorithm - this case being the algorithm which takes the least time to run.

(Or at least choose an algorithm which provides a good approximation to whatever you require, in the shortest time, or ...)

While in Year 1 / Year 2 MORSE you probably will cover how to use these algorithms, in future modules (and probably real life), you'd start to determine the complexity of these algorithms, and try to write efficient algorithms. That's probably where the programming comes in.

*Edit. The above is my take on "programming", not what "operations research" really is. Below is my take on operations research.

I suppose a simplified form would be: "Given a problem, are there any techniques which can be used to solve it? Can these techniques be generalized to other similar problems?"

Yes, you say. Suppose I have a Eulerian graph, I can draw an Eulerian cycle by the Hierholzer's algorithm. That's easy.

My question: Is this necessarily the most efficient algorithm? Previously, the algorithm to draw an Eulerian cycle was Fleury's algorithm, until Hierholzer's was created.

Hence my take on operations research would be:

"Given a problem, can I write an algorithm which comes up with the best solution, or at least a near optimal solution, weighing in mind the trade-off between best (or near best) solution and computing time. In some sense, if a best solution takes 100 days to be found, and a near best solution 1 day to be found, sometimes you might want the algorithm which gives the near best solution.

If an algorithm already exists for my problem, can I modify it to make it better?"

Thank you both!

Narev, that was pretty good. I get it better now, thanks.

[luigi619]

Hi guys, I'm hoping to be starting on MORSE in October, and I was reading through this thread and people mentioned specific bits of computer software for certain modules. Do you just use these in computer labs or do you have them on your laptop? And if so, are they compatible with a Mac? I haven't bought my laptop yet, but ideally want a Mac, if it wont cause me problems. Cheers

[Narev]

Mathematica and R work on a Mac. While people may use S-Plus in the second year, it is the Windows version of R, so R will suffice.

[luigi619]

(Original post by Narev)
Mathematica and R work on a Mac. While people may use S-Plus in the second year, it is the Windows version of R, so R will suffice.

Ok, thanks very much for the reply, that's great, are these the only pieces of software people use? Or is there any more that is/isn't compatible?

[Narev]

Hrm. I can't think of any more pieces of software at the moment...

*Edit. Oh, wait yes. You may need to typeset mathematical documents using LaTeX - you'll find lots of programs that work on both Mac / Windows. Almost slipped my mind since I use it almost every other day during term time...

[luigi619]

(Original post by Narev)
Hrm. I can't think of any more pieces of software at the moment...

*Edit. Oh, wait yes. You may need to typeset mathematical documents using LaTeX - you'll find lots of programs that work on both Mac / Windows. Almost slipped my mind since I use it almost every other day during term time...

Haha and that's really helpful, thanks a lot

[Ree69]

Does anyone know when the STEP grade boundaries will be released?