What Topics of Mathematics to study to go into Big Data

Question

I am interested in Big Data and related jobs after graduation from Math PhD/Masters, what topics and fields of Mathematics should a student learn that are most relevant to Big Data?

Currently, I know Algebraic Topology (Persistent Homology) would be one relevant topic, are there any other areas of Math that would be useful in Big Data?

Thanks and best regards.

What sort of Big Data problems are you thinking of trying to handle? The only thing which is definitely in common here would be programming/probability/statistics. But if there is some richer structure of interest, then many other ways of analyzing that structure could prove useful. — Ian, Jul 29 '15 at 10:59
I would definitely throw statistics and numerical linear algebra into the hat of options — KyleW, Jul 29 '15 at 13:25
A part of the question is discussed in the recent Why does topology rarely come up outside of topology? — Laurent Duval, Apr 02 '16 at 21:52

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 30 '15 at 06:29

1

Big Data is a very broad definition. If want to work in data-mining or machine learning my list would start with these

Statistics/Measure theory
Optimisation (in general and especially convex optimisation)
Funcional Analysis

answered Jul 30 '15 at 06:29

Markus

26

Thanks! How would Measure Theory and Functional Analysis help? – yoyostein Jul 31 '15 at 08:26
To some extent, almost all math might be useful, and no one can predict the future path of big data analysis, now extremely chaotic and entering its 'know it all' teenage years. But there is a reason I did not specifically mention these two areas in my Answer. – BruceET Jul 31 '15 at 18:23

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 31 '15 at 08:43

I agree with programming/computation, probability/statistics, and linear algebra from Comments. Also, Optimization from Answer. Would add group theory.

Find out what computer languages are currently in greatest use as the time graduation gets near, especially for managing and parsing large datasets; learn the basics of all. Unless the landscape changes fundamentally by then, currency in computer languages will be necessary to get past the first interview. You may not do vast amounts of programming yourself, but you'll need to collaborate every day with people who do.

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 06 '15 at 12:44

1

Save for basic statistics and probabilities (i.e. on finite sets), let me disappoint you: well-done precalculus should be enough.

answered Aug 06 '15 at 12:44

Alex M.

35,927

What Topics of Mathematics to study to go into Big Data

3 Answers3