PROBABILITY-STATISTICS OPTION


MATHEMATICS MAJOR


The Probability-Statistics Option can be a good choice for a number of possible future plans but it is also sufficiently general that it can be used if the student wishes to pursue graduate study in Mathematics (although in that case the student is advised to consider additional mathematics courses).


Unlike some majors in a university, an undergraduate major in mathematics (whatever the option) is not designed to prepare the student for a particular well-identified kind of employment. That is, relatively few employers have positions actually titled "mathematician". Those employers that specifically recruit mathematics majors usually do so because of the quantitative and analytical skills that are a natural part of nearly all mathematics courses. This is probably especially true for those graduating with a bachelors degree.


However a degree in mathematics can be an entree into many kinds of jobs and into many fields. A mathematics degree is good preparation for graduate study in many fields, such as accounting, finance, economics, computer science, geography. It can even serve well for entry into graduate programs in biology, natural resources. These opportunities can be enhanced by careful choice of courses in the minor. The Probability-Statistics Option can be especially relevant for most of these. Graduate study might include Statistics as well (as contrasted with Mathematics).


You can enhance your opportunities and employment potential by strengthening some related skillls. These include computing and communications. "Computing" might include programming (such as FORTRAN or C/C++) but it certainly should include familiarity with a wordprocessor and a spreadsheet, e.g., WORD/WordPefect, EXCEL/QUATTRO PRO. Perhaps a symbolic mathematical package such as MATHCAD or even MATHEMATICA, a database package such as ACCESS or PARADOX , perhaps a statistics package such as MINITAB. Familiarity with MS-Windows is a must and experience with UNIX and networking is quite useful. At some time in the past, mathematicians might have been hired to sit in an office and wait for someone to come in and bring their problem, the problem having already been described in mathematical form. That is not the present circumstance, you are more likely to work as a part of a team. You may need to relate to customers, you will certainly need to relate to fellow employees. Good communication skills, both written and oral are essential. You won't be able to rely on a secretary to clean up your writing and you are likely to have to write reports constantly.


Actuaries and Actuarial Science is one possible area that is a direct link to the Probability-Statistics Option but not the only one.


Business and Mathematics is another place to look.

Further questions?ContactDonald E. Myers