Mathematics
College of Sciences
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Mathematics Options |
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Washington State University undergraduates may choose from six options that focus on specific areas of math. Students usually choose study options by the end of the first semester of the junior year. • Actuarial Science—Prepares actuaries to do research, planning, forecasting, and decision making for insurance, pension, and retirement programs. • Computational Mathematics—Prepares for intensive computer applications work in engineering, business, and physical, biological, and social sciences. It is also a good general background for jobs in the computer industry. • Mathematical Modeling—Provides mathematical methods for analysis of phenomena related to business, engineering, and physical, biological, and social sciences. • Operations Research—Focuses on scientific methods of determining the optimal design and operation systems for industry, government, military, or universities. Examples of jobs in this field include inventory control, maintenance scheduling, marketing, financial planning, population control, and energy development. • Secondary Mathematics Teaching—Leads to positions in secondary education; as math consultants for districts or states; textbook or media authors; or continuing education teachers. Demand is high both regionally and nationally for math teachers. • Theoretical Mathematics—Prepares for jobs requiring strong analytical skills, such as in banking and computers. It is also an excellent preparation for graduate school in various fields. |
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Careers in Mathematics |
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Mathematics majors are in great demand. There is a nationwide shortage of qualified math teachers, a field that is pursued by about one-third of the University’s mathematics graduates. Career options are included in the detailed descriptions of the six options described in more detail in the mathematics department's guidebook for students (http://www.math.wsu.edu/academics/guide0808.pdf). Additionally, WSU graduates in the mathematics option have obtained jobs as air traffic controllers, attorneys, computer analysts/programmers, software quality engineers, consulting actuaries, engineers, physicians, environmental consulting firm owners, purchasing agents, systems programmers and analysts, and technical aides. |
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Contact Information |
| Department of Mathematics |
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Washington State University PO Box 643113 Pullman, WA 99164-3113 |
| info@math.wsu.edu |
| 509-335-3926 |
Strengths of the Program
- Math lab facilities include 25 networked Linux computers with software for differential equations, linear algebra, and calculus, and two PC labs with 40 computers containing math education software.
- Gain excellent instruction in analysis/differential equations, computational math, discrete math, mathematical modeling, math education, optimization, probability, and statistics.
- Use the department's research-computing stations to assist faculty on research projects ranging from atmospheric science to genetics.
- The Owen Science and Engineering Library subscribes to more than 200 math journals, and there are 15,000 volumes in the math section of the library.
- WSU's internship program places students at Boeing Corporation, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and other national labs and companies.
- You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.