what can i do with a major in... mathematics and statistics
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
www.sc.edu/career
math·e·mat·ics
The study of the measurement, relationships, and properties of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and calculus are branches of mathematics. *
* "mathematics." The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Company. 05 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mathematics>.
sta·tis·tics
The branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data. Statistics is especially useful in drawing general conclusions about a set of data from a sample of the data.
*"statistics." The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Company. 05 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/statistics>.
Mathematics & Statistics Majors Study
Forms, arrangements, and associated relationships of numbersHow to use rigorously defined literal, numerical, and operational symbolsInterpretation and analysis of numerical data
...and more
Specializations
• Bachelor's Degree/Entry Level– actuary – computer
programmer – engineer – accountant – statistician – financial analyst
• Further Education Required– operations
researcher – applied
mathematician – statistical analyst– mathematical
researcher – mathematical
professor – economists
Most undergraduate programs offer a general course of study as well as many specializations that can be pursued with additional study. These include (but are not limited to):
Mathematics & Statistics At The University Of South
CarolinaUndergraduate DegreesBachelor of Science (BS)Majors: MathematicsGeneral mathematics, Applied mathematics, Actuarial mathematics and statistics, Mathematics education, Intensive major (any aforementioned emphasis plus an additional 4 courses in MATH numbered about 500)
The university also offers a Minors in Mathematics, Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics & Statistics At The University Of South
Carolina
Graduate Degrees
Master of Arts (MA)Master of Industrial Statistics (MIS)
Master of Sciences (MS)
Master of Mathematics (PM)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Statistics At The University Of South Carolina
Undergraduate Options
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: General Statistics
Statistics with an emphasis in actuarial mathematics and statistics
• The university also offers a Minors in Mathematics, Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics
Statistics At The University Of South Carolina
Graduate Degrees
Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Statistics (CAS)
Master of Industrial Statistics (MIS) Master of Science in Statistics (MS) Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (Ph.D.)
Mathematics & Statistics Majors Develop Skills In
• Problem solving • Ability to analyze &
interpret data • Logical thinking • Systemizing skills • Organizational skills • Critical thinking • Testing skills
• Team skills • Advanced quantitative
skills • Numerical computation• Computer literacy • Efficient
Statistics Majors Develop Skills In
• Problem Solving • Logical thinking • Systemizing skills • Critical thinking • Advanced quantitative
skills • Computer literacy • Verbal and written
communication skills
• Ability to analyze and interpret data
• Evaluating theoretical models
• Organizational skills • Teamwork skills • Numerical computation • Ability to design
experiments • Advising skills
Employment
• Mathematicians and statisticians are in great demand and work in various
settings. Salaries and working conditions are excellent. Statisticians
evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drugs for pharmaceutical
companies. Insurance companies use statisticians to estimate the risks of
life, health care, and casualty events. Conducting the Federal census and
estimating the inflation rate are two of many tasks done by government
statisticians. Industrial statisticians design experiments to improve
manufacturing processes and to maintain quality. Market research
companies use statisticians to improve the efficiency of their mass
mailing campaigns. Statisticians develop credit scoring algorithms for
financial service companies. Educational testing companies use
statisticians to measure the validity of standardized test questions. And
these are only some of the places mathematicians and statisticians work.
Employment Settings
• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management.
Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &
Commerce• Accountant• Bank Manager• Commodity Manger• Consumer Loan Credit
Officer• Economist• Quality Assurance Analyst• Risk/Insurance Analyst• Cost Estimator• Financial Consultant• Urban Planner• Marketing Information
Analyst
• Actuary• Auditor• Bookkeeper• Development Manager• Financial Analyst• Institutional Buyer• Investment Banker• Marker Research Analyst• Business Analyst
Employment Settings
• Science Fields
Combines mathematics and statistics with an emphasis on the sciences
Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Science Fields
• Astronomer• Cryptographer/
Cryptologist• Physicist• Value Engineer• Lab Technician
• Environmental Scientist• Pollution Meteorologist• Scientist• Applied Science
Technologist
Employment Settings
• Consulting:
Includes mathematical and statistical research; surveying, social/cultural assessments, designing bilingual and bicultural curricula; assessing services, and more.
Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Consulting
• Accountant• Bank Manager• Commodity manger• Consumer Loan credit
Officer• Demographer• Economist• Estate Planner• Inventory Control
Specialist• Research Analyst
• Statistical Consultant or Programmer
• Actuary• Data Analyst• Institutional Buyer• Investment Banker• Auditor• Financial Consultant• Marketing Information
Analyst• Urban Planner
Employment Settings
• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.
Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require appropriate certification.
Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education
• Administrator• Admissions Evaluator• Author/Writer• Career Counselor• College or University
Professor• Financial Aid Director• Guidance Counselor• Health Educator • Lecturer
• Primary School Teacher• Program Manager• Residence Hall Director• Secondary School
Teacher• Student Affairs
Professional • Text Writer
Employment Settings
• Analysts
Skilled at analyzing data; experts who study financial data (on credit or securities or sales or financial patterns etc.) and recommend appropriate business actions. This also includes a licensed practitioner of psychoanalysis.
Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Analyzing
• Quality Assurance Analyst
• Risk or Insurance Analyst
• Estate Planner• Game Designer• Algorithm Designer• Applications
Programmer• Research Analyst
• Data Analyst• Mortgage Researcher• Statistician• Weight Analyst• Business Analyst• Inventory Analyst• Marketing Information
Analyst• Operations Research
Analyst
Other Occupational Settings For Mathematics And Statistics Majors
• Aerospace Companies• Market Research Firms• Banks• Mortgage Companies• Colleges & Universities• Pharmaceuticals • Computer Firms• Research & Development
Firms• Economic/Social Science
Pollsters• Engineering Firms
• School Systems• Insurance Companies• Stock Brokerage
Houses• Investment Firms• Test Development
Corporations• Manufacturing Firms• Utilities• Savings & Loan
Associations
Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You
Want• Pursue an excellent
academic record• Obtain part-time,
summer, or internship work experience
• Volunteer with service and counseling organizations
• Become fluent in a foreign language
• Obtain an advanced degree and/or certification in order to perform substantive counseling work
• Obtain a minor in an additional area of interest (i.E. Language, business, education)
• Develop strong writing and speaking skills
Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want
• Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills
• Become comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and cultures
• Acquire sales experience
• Become active in peer mediation groups if available
• Secure leadership positions in campus or community groups
• Obtain teaching certification
• Shadow the work of a professional
Resources For More Information
USC’s Department of Mathematics
www.math.sc.edu/
USC’s Department of Statistics www.stat.sc.edu/index.html
Career Center libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html
Mathematics and Statistics Related Websites
http://www.sc.edu/career/la/mathstats.html
College of Arts and Sciences Career Development Programwww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html
Books & Web Resources
Books101 Careers in Mathematics by Andrew Sterrett
Great Jobs for Math Majors by Stephen Lambert and Ruth J. DeCotis
Web Resources
Mathematical Association of America - http://www.maa.org/
Institute of Mathematical Statistics
http://www.imstat.org/
Career Center Contact Information
University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)