A Brief History of the Mathematics Major
Mathematics is the study of numbers with an emphasis on computational methods of solving problems. Math is present in everyday life, from simple activities like budgeting to complex ones like solving practical problems in government, business and engineering. It is one of the oldest and most basic sciences in human history. For students with a strong aptitude for math who want to guarantee themselves a strong job outlook with high earning potential, a degree in mathematics will do just that. Math isn’t all about number crunching —you will develop the ability to think outside the box, to deal with and navigate through complex problems through the use of math, science and technology, and to be able to translate high level math principals into useful information for everyday use all while being able to communicate those things to laypeople. The demand for math majors is typically high, and the job growth for mathematicians is much faster than average.
Delving Into the Mathematics Major
Mathematics degrees are available at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. All mathematics programs, irrespective of institution, will either include or require algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus as prerequisites. In addition, mathematics degrees will include courses in advanced statistics, game theory, and analytics. Courses in computers can be supplemented with software programming as well. Advanced courses in the basic mathematics classes include linear algebra, abstract algebra, real and numerical analysis, and differential equations. A variety of graduate and Ph.D. programs are available to math majors who can set a degree holder up to move into education, law, or business. Math degree holders who become actuaries must take professional exams to become fully licensed in that field. People who pursue math degrees will go on to specialize in the study of numbers and a mastery of numerical systems. A Ph.D. is the minimum requirement for most math jobs, especially in the private sector. Bachelor’s and master’s degree holders with experience may also find employment in teaching, government, finance and business.
Degree Levels:
Associate
Associate degree programs in mathematics usually require two years of college education. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for advanced degree programs in mathematics or related fields. It combines general education course content with an overview of the math major. The typicall curriculum may include: college algebra, linear algebra, intermediate algebra, statistics, analytic geometry, and differential equations. These classes are typically transferable to four-year universities. Associate’s degree graduates acquire a variety of problem-solving skills that they will prove useful as they pursue further studies in the bachelor’s program.
Bachelor’s
Students preparing for a career in mathematics should consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field. Aside from general education courses, a typical bachelor’s degree curriculum may include: abstract algebra, advanced calculus, complex variables, probability and statistics, applied probability, and numerical variations. The bachelor’s degree program is designed for students who wish to seek jobs in teaching, typically in grades K-12. Those who plan to advance to the master’s degree level will also be required to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics may land employment as teachers, financial analysts, budget specialists, actuaries, demographers, and controllers.
Master’s
Most colleges and universities offer master’s degrees in mathematics, including concentrations in pure and applied mathematics. Coursework at the master’s degree level may include calculus, differential equations, and linear and abstract algebra. Master’s degree candidates might also take additional classes on probability theory and statistics, mathematical analysis, numerical analysis, coding theories, graph theory, categorical data analysis, discrete mathematics, and mathematical logic. Some institutions may require a thesis at the end of the program. Students who graduate with a master’s degree may go on to work for public and private companies.
Doctorate
A Ph.D. in mathematics prepares students for careers at various levels and in different capacities within the industry. Doctoral degree programs prepare students for positions in research and academia. In doctoral programs, students conduct research and take advanced courses, usually specializing in a subfield of mathematics. These programs typically take about four to six years to complete. Coursework may include: combinatorics, logic, topology, algebraic number theory, analytic number theory, and differentiable manifolds. Mathematicians who graduate with a doctoral degree are well positioned for lucrative jobs in government and in the private sector, as a Ph.D. is the minimum requirement for these jobs. Others may opt for equally rewarding careers in teaching and research.
Supplementing Your Mathematics Major
A degree in mathematics provides the degree holder with ample flexibility to enhance their education. Employers generally tend to value graduates with high problem solving skills. In addition, the ability to reason through difficult problems will be valuable to any business. The versatility of a math degree makes it compatible with various minors. Many colleges and universities will encourage math majors to take courses in related fields, such as engineering, physics, economics, and computer science, among others. A double major in mathematics is particularly desirable in the job market. Good communication skills will also prove beneficial to math majors in the workforce. With this, students should consider taking additional classes geared toward developing written and oral communication skills. As for concentrations, applied mathematics is usually the popular choice by math majors. Also, students should consider obtaining additional training in the field in which the math education will be used. Business management, economics, finance, life sciences, and geology are dependent on applied mathematics. Math majors with broad education and advanced degrees will have a competitive edge in the employment arena.
Learn More About the Mathematics Major
- U.S. News’ Best Mathematics Schools
- MIT’s Open Courseware in Mathematics
- Oxford University’s Open CourseWare in Mathematics
- Calculus II for Business
- Journal of Online Mathematics (JOMA)
- SIAM Journals Online
The Mathematics Major in the Job Market
With advancements in technology, businesses will be depending on mathematicians for scientific research. While the job market for a mathematician is expected to remain competitive, Ph.D. holders will always find employment. Jobs for master’s degree holders in this field are few because the positions available outnumber the qualified candidates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of mathematicians is expected to increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than average for all occupations. The U.S. government employs a large number of mathematicians, primarily for positions in the Department of Defense. Other mathematicians employed by the government work for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Since computers have been able to take over for a lot of what a mathematician can do, math majors have been moving into a variety of fields. Math degree holders become actuaries, statisticians, mathematicians, and teachers for example. Median annual wages of mathematicians were $95,150 in 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $71,430 and $119,480, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $53,570, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $140,500. Actuaries’ salaries largely depend on the level of accreditation that they receive with a median salary of about $75,000. Actual salaries will vary based upon level of education, industry, and location. Math majors seeking employment with the government should visit usajobs.gov for information on openings and application process. Other useful sites for mathematicians are: siam.org and ams.org.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
