[drallison]

Mathematics and Statistics are fundamental tools of Science and Engineering, tools you need in your kit. Linear algebra, analysis, statistics, discrete math, complex analysis and optimization are about the minimum. Abstract algebra, topology, differential geometry, combinatorics, number theory, and so forth all may prove useful and enriching. The problem is that you never know what will be useful.

Years ago, abstract number theory was seen as pure mathematics unsullied by practical applications. And then along came cryptography.