Actuarial Science

An actuary is a professional trained in mathematics, statistics, and economic techniques who assigns a dollar value to future risk. They use their knowledge to solve problems involving the long-range financial impact of future events. This skill is of great value to insurance companies, investment firms, employee benefits, consulting firms, state of federal agencies, labor unions, and other organizations that need to quantify financial risks.

 Biology

The internal functions and external interaction of living organisms are often repeatable and predictable. Mathematical modeling of these events is of considerable interest to subdisciplines in biology like cellular/molecular biology and environmental biology. Research groups in these areas may include people having both advanced training in mathematics and a general understanding of biology. This type of expertise is sometimes referred to as computational biology, and career opportunities exist in the academic, governmental, and industrial sectors. Work at the cellular/molecular level includes such valuable endeavors as the development of new drugs to treat disease; whereas, studies in environmental biology might require mathematical modeling of fluctuations in natural populations accompanying climate change.

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• Course Descriptions and Major Requirements

Chemistry is the study of the nanoworld, the world of atoms. Chemists study the architecture of this miniature universe, explore the changes that occur, unravel the principles that govern chemical changes, and devise ways to create entirely new compounds and materials. In chemistry, critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills are highly valued.

Behind every computer application is an algorithm. Computer science is a mathematical discipline that has to do with the study of algorithms and hence forms the theoretical basis for computer applications. Besides being an object of mathematical study, the computer has also proved to be a powerful tool in mathematical research. Hence a background in computing is undoubtedly an asset to any student aspiring to earn a graduate degree in mathematics.

Training in economics is an excellent counterpart to mathematics study. While advanced economic study requires a great deal of training in mathematics, economics as a discipline provides an application of that training in education, public policy, business, and social issues. The importance of economics is recognized in business and government as well as in the field of university and college teaching. Economics students may be employed after graduation by banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, government agencies, or by manufacturing companies. Economics is also an excellent preparation for graduate study in law, advanced economics, business administration (MBA), and public administration.

Some of the most successful managers of financial institutions such as mutual funds are among those who have double majors in business admininstration (finance) and mathematics. The combination of finance and mathematics makes it possible to get employment with insurance companies, mutual funds, stock brockerage, etc. and progress towards rewarding professions such as portfolio managment, professional money management, securities analysis, actuarial science, and personal financial planning. The completion of this concentration in finance may also enhance the opportunity for mathematics majors to pursue an MBA degree with a concentration in quantitative financial analysis.

The mathematics graduate school special interest area is intended for those B.S. majors in mathematics who wish to pursue graduate studies in mathematics. While special interest areas in general help students to streamline and focus their electives in a certain field of study, this special interest area is also intended to help students broaden their knowledge within different areas of mathematics and related fields such as computer science, physics, and philosophy. This should help students prepare better for graduate studies in mathematics. Futhermore, most students can generally finance graduate studies by means of a teaching assistanceship and/or fellowship, which are available from most universities offering graduate programs in mathematics. These normally cover a student's tuition and include a stipend for living expenses.

Mathematics students who select the philosophy track will prepare themselves for a future in which skills requiring both logical argument and disciplined imagination are sought after in the marketplace. Students, who also seek the inner rewards of a nourished, challenged, and well-developed mind are likely to find this track well suited to them.

Students majoring in mathematics with an interest in physics or secondary education should consider this special interest area. Physics is a mathematical science, which attempts to understand the physical universe. It addresses the fundamental questions about the nature of principles and simple models. Physicists build descriptions of atoms, organice material, stars and the origin of the universe. Physics also has an applied side: scientists and engineers use their understanding of physical principles to solve practical problmes in such areas as product development, process control, and instrumentation. The study of physics helps students to create an understanding of their world using scientific thinking as a tool.

A student completing this concentration with a major in mathematics would be well qualified to enter an MBA program or to work in the area of business. Business training is excellent preparation for graduate studies in business, law, and related fields. Employment opportunities also abound in the areas of banking and other financial institutions, investment groups, insurance, information technologies, retailing, health care, government agencies, and manufacturing.

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• Course Descriptions and Major Requirements

Psychology, the science of behavior, has traditionally emphasized empirical research as a primary means to generate knowledge. This reliance on quantitative methods yields considerable opportunity for interdisciplinary work in mathematics. The field has always placed great value on statistical training and has recently infused mathematical modeling as a primary research tool. Graduate opportunities exist in quantitative, experimental industrial, organizational, educational, and computational psychology. Vocational opportunities center on research programs and may include technical positions at the B.S. level.

Tracking the progress made in the field of community health relies heavily on keeping good statistics and analyzing trends in health data over the years. This reliance on quantitative methods provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary work in mathematics. Experts in statistical methods play an important role in epidemiology and program evaluation.

Students majoring in mathematics with an interest in secondary school mathematics teaching should consider this special interest area. In addition to introducing students to the area of education, courses in this area will better prepare students who are planning on applying to SRU's College of Education's master degree program. With an increasing emphasis on the special needs of students in the mathematics classroom, students should seriously consider taking SPED 100 from the additional hours block.

 Statistics

Statisticians work with people from other professional backgrounds to solve practical problems. Statistics uses modern computing to organize and analyze data, but the emphasis is on the data to be understood and the problem to be solved. With the increased dependence on data and numerical reasoning, there is a growing need for the services of statisticians. Other fields where statisticians are making important contributions include: biology, sports, engineering, psychology, public health, economics, insurance, genetics, finance, agriculture, census, sociology, astronomy, telecommunications, epidemiology, ecology, and many others.