Although most people would likely assume that a Mathematics degree only prepares a student for a career as a mathematician or an educator, many Mathematics majors go on to careers in patent law, software engineering, data science, financial analysis and economics. They also work in biotechnology, national security, market research, astronomy and space exploration.
The reason a Mathematics degree provides for such a variety of career paths is that employers want someone who has the ability to apply critical thinking skills to problems that arise. So, a student with such skills who is also interested in biology might become a computational biologist or biostatistician. In business, the security of online credit card purchases depends upon the mathematical encryption of the data. Animated films require mathematical algorithms. Mathematicians are hired by professional sports teams to provide analytics. Mathematics was used to break the German codes during World War II.
The list of possible career paths is endless.
Making sure your program is the right financial investment is an important part of the search process.
COST & FINANCINGA student selecting the Mathematics Education concentration not only receives a mathematics degree, but also is qualified to teach high school mathematics. There currently is a shortage of qualified high school mathematics teachers.
In order to obtain an entry-level job as an actuarial student, having passed at least one actuary exam is almost always required. A student selecting the Actuarial Sciences concentration will be prepared for the first two exams. Also, if the student passes an actuary exam, the Mathematics program will reimburse the student the exam cost.
The Mathematics Resource Center hires students for tutoring math. Mathematics majors are given priority over other students. Not only do students earn money for their services, but they are also further solidifying their own mathematical skills in the process.
The day and time of most upper level mathematics courses are usually chosen to fit the schedules of the students interested in those courses. Also, if enough students request a course not regularly scheduled, it often is offered.
The mathematics professors usually receive many requests for Emerging Scholars. Preference is virtually always given to Mathematics majors.
While an undergraduate mathematics degree opens the door to many careers, some jobs require a post-secondary degree. A graduate degree in mathematics provides the student with even more options (and often a greater salary).
Here are a few of the top careers in this field:
-Mathematician
-Actuary
-Financial Analyst
-Statistician
-Biostatistican
-High school mathematics teacher
-Economist
-Cryptographer
-Operation Research Analyst
The Mathematics degree comes in three forms.
One can choose the Mathematics Education Concentration. Once takes an almost equal number of hours through the School of Education as mathematics courses. One who completes this program is certified to teach high school mathematics.
One can choose the Actuarial Sciences Concentration. It prepares a student for Actuary Exams P and FM (Probability and Financial Math). The student will exempt three other actuary exams by taking courses in the program. So, ideally, the student will have five of the twelve requirements to become a professional actuary completed upon graduation.
One can choose a Mathematics degree without a concentration. This is the ideal route for the student who wants to keep their career (and possibly graduate school) options open. Students selecting this route have many elective hours to allow for other pursuits, such as a minor or even a double major.
List of programs/Activities:
Starting in 2017, ULM has sent a math team to the Louisiana Mississippi Section of the Mathematical Association of America Section meeting for its Integration Bee, an undergraduate contest of one’s integral calculus skills. In 2017, 2019 and 2020, the winner was from ULM.
Students help with our annual High School Mathematics competition. We typically have about 300 students, though we have had as many as 400 participate.
Kappa Mu Epsilon
KME is a nationally recognized honors society. KME was granted membership into the Association of College Honor Societies in 1968. The Louisiana Delta Chapter was established at ULM in 2001. Membership in KME is viewed highly by employers, as well as professional and graduate schools.
The primary purposes of being a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon include the following:
There is a one-time national membership fee of $20. This fee required by the national organization is essentially returned to the new members in the following forms: membership certificates and cards, key pin jewelry, a two-year subscription to the society’s journal, delegate money to national conventions, etc. There are no local dues for membership.
New Initiates
The initiation ceremony will be held in mid-Spring. If you have the qualifications, contact your mathematics professor.
Learn more about financial aid options: https://www.ulm.edu/financialaid/
Learn more about scholarship opportunities: https://www.ulm.edu/scholarships/
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