MSc dissertation: Need help with choosing a topic!

fais20 · May 14th, 2004, 11:04 pm

Hi guys!!I am almost about to start my MSc dissertation in a Mathematics related degree. I have covered Stochastics and I want to to do my dissertation on this. I want to apply Stochastic Calculus in Financial Markets but I don't know what to specifically concentrate on. Any ideas??I need to cover something that will impress my lecturer. Anybody got any good ideas?Thanks

Aaron · May 15th, 2004, 8:33 pm

I've answered this question many times. Don't pick a tool and look for a problem, you'll have a bad dissertation. Pick a question that really interests you and figure out the answer. You'll have more fun, learn more, do a better job and make better contacts.Of course, you may find out that the answer to your original question is either well-known or impossible. But in the course of figuring that out, you'll find a related variant that's an appropriate topic.

mj · May 17th, 2004, 11:30 am

QuoteOriginally posted by: fais20Hi guys!!I am almost about to start my MSc dissertation in a Mathematics related degree. I have covered Stochastics and I want to to do my dissertation on this. I want to apply Stochastic Calculus in Financial Markets but I don't know what to specifically concentrate on. Any ideas??I need to cover something that will impress my lecturer. Anybody got any good ideas?Thanksi wouldn't worry about impressing the lecturer, instead find something that the lecturer knows something about and will be able to give you guidance on

fais20 · May 22nd, 2004, 7:49 pm

HiThanks for your replies.I am still having difficulties about choosing a specific topic. I don't have an in depth knowledge about Financial Markets so I am finding it difficult to choose a topic for my dissertation.Could you maybe suggest some specific topics that I could explore that has a great deal of Mathematics?Any suggestions would be appreciated.

hijavata · May 23rd, 2004, 12:42 pm

Aaron gave you a very good answer. You should choose something you like and you will enjoy working. Still, I understand that you do not know where to begin as financial markets are concerned. Try pricing of spread options. I found it interesting when I was working on it. Actually, what I liked about the topic is that there are some ideas how to approximate the price which has not be developed yet. Who knows, maybe you will find something new. Of course you have to read a little bit in order to see whether this suits you! Good luck!