CKQ Examines College Majors: Applied Mathematics

Each newsletter will provide readers with insight into a specific major that might pique your interest. This segment is all about introducing students to majors (and possibly careers) they may have never considered before. This time around, we will provide information on the Applied Mathematics major (special thank you to Collegeboard.org for information provided in this column).

How many of us have said, “I’m never going to need this stuff? Who uses math in a career anyways?” I’ve got news for you – lots of people use it everyday. The applied math field combines a solid grounding in mathematics principles, coupled with an application in a different field, such as computer and information science, operations research, systems engineering, control theory, statistics, engineering and more. The applications of this major are certainly not limitless, but there are lots of outlets for this kind of knowledge, and many of them pay well!

You might like this major if you also like: Seeing how math explains natural phenomena; understanding the theory behind the way computers and other mechanical things work.

You might consider this major if you are good at: attention to detail; creativity; critical reading/thinking; math; organizing; quantitative analysis; teamwork… or have initiative; patience; writing skills.

Typical courses in this major include: Calculus, Differential equations, Linear algebra, Discrete mathematics, Numerical analysis, Physics, Computer science, Probability theory, Logic design and computer architecture, Systems design, Signals, systems and control engineering, Optimization theory and technique, Data analysis and linear models, Multivariate analysis and data mining, Theoretical statistics, Time series.

What the study of this major is like: As I stated earlier, applied math gives students in this major two areas of focus – math and the application area you choose to pair with your math skills. In a type of conceptual loop, you apply abstract principles of math to your area of interest, and then translate functions of that application back into a more general mathematical theme. For example, in a control theory course, you will learn how to construct a feedback mechanism, such as a robot. In a math course, you explore the math behind the mechanism. Your task is to discover the link between what you have learned in the two courses.

Although a Bachelor of Science degree prepares you to start a career, many professionals return for more specialized training by pursuing a master’s degree. Some colleges offer a five-year integrated program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics and a Master of Science degree in your chosen application area or in applied mathematics.

Other majors that might interest you if you like applied mathematics include: Computer science, Aeronautical/aerospace engineering, Statistics, Systems engineering, Management science, Astrophysics, Applied physics, Mathematics/computer science, Computational mathematics, Information systems, Economics.

There are approximately 200 colleges/universities that offer applied mathematics as a major. Some of the top programs in this field currently include: NYU, UCLA, MIT, Brown University, CalTech, UC Berkeley, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, University of Texas – Austin, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, University of Washington, University of Maryland- College Park, University of Colorado – Boulder, Columbia University.

For more information on this field, please visit:

http://www.siam.org http://www.maa.org