Math Finance vs Financial Engineering

[Jason Tokayer]

I am a doctoral student in electrical engineering who is interested in obtaining a Masters degree in either financial engineering or in Mathematical Finance. I am unsure what path will work better for me in terms of career options after I graduate with my Ph.D. I will be funded for either program so money is not an issue here. I have already completed 4 of 9 requirements in mathematical finance and only 2 of 9 in financial engineering. If anyone has any advice as to which path to take please do respond.
I would like to apply my engineering skills to solve complex financial problems in the real-world. In this sense I think the financial engineering program may fit my needs. However, it might be the case that a large company may be more interested in hiring someone with a stronger analytical background who also has a Ph.D. in engineering to come up with 'big' ideas.
I am thoroughly confused as to which path to take, and ask that anyone with a reasonable sense of what might work better for me to please enlighten me. Any help will certainly be greatly appreciated.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

They are both the same field. Each program calls itself differently.
There are several threads already discussed this question.
What are the 9 requirements?

 

[alain]

start looking for a job.

 

[Jason Tokayer]

I have read the other threads but do not think any of them are as specific as I need.
The programs are in fact not the same. The Mathematical finance program focuses on theory and math...lots of math. The Financial engineering program focuses on computer simulation.
Here is a link the the FE program: http://den.usc.edu/programs/fe/index.htm
Here is a link to the MF program: http://math.usc.edu/mathematics/graduate/math_finance/mf_curriculum.html

 

[bigbadwolf]

I have read the other threads but do not think any of them are as specific as I need.
The programs are in fact not the same. The Mathematical finance program focuses on theory and math...lots of math. The Financial engineering program focuses on computer simulation.
Here is a link the the FE program: http://den.usc.edu/programs/fe/index.htm
Here is a link to the MF program: http://math.usc.edu/mathematics/graduate/math_finance/mf_curriculum.html

I don't see that much on programming in the FE program (unless it's tucked away somewhere) and I don't see that much math in the MF program (numerical solutions of ODEs but nothing on PDEs, for example). Course titles can be misleading but if that's all that's available to make a judgment on, both offerings are pretty mediocre and seem to be more "me-too" programs that won't lead to any job.

 

[alain]

I have read the other threads but do not think any of them are as specific as I need.
The programs are in fact not the same. The Mathematical finance program focuses on theory and math...lots of math. The Financial engineering program focuses on computer simulation.
Here is a link the the FE program: http://den.usc.edu/programs/fe/index.htm
Here is a link to the MF program: http://math.usc.edu/mathematics/graduate/math_finance/mf_curriculum.html

Follow my advice, finish your PhD and start looking for a Job. Email one of the recruiters that post on QN if you want, Mr. Connor or Mr. Fahey.