What is Mathematical Sciences?

Misconceptions can arise when it comes to pursuing a mathematics degree. It is commonly assumed that undergraduates studying mathematics are on the path to becoming math teachers or professors, but this is not always the case.

The mathematics department at the University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences, for instance, equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for a diverse array of careers, such as biomathematical researcher and cryptographer.

The program comprises three key disciplines: pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics. Associate professor and undergraduate program director Mihaela Poplicher says the department is committed to empowering mathematics majors to pursue their academic goals in alignment with their career aspirations, providing them with guidance and support along the way.

“We have advisors, and we work with each student to find out what their interests are. We work closely with the students to make sure they make a good plan with their courses and graduate as soon as possible with the tools and knowledge for whichever career path they desire.”

Students pursuing a track focused on statistics and/or applied mathematics are prepared for entry into the financial industry, equipped with the knowledge required for roles such as financial or systems analyst, actuarial scientist, or marketing consultant. On the other hand, those concentrating on pure mathematics frequently pursue a career in teaching or choose to pursue further education in graduate school.

Like many other programs in A&S, the mathematics department offers undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue an accelerated track to obtain their master’s degree. The mathematics department’s 4+1 program lets students obtain the advanced degree upon completion of one additional year instead of the customary two years, allowing students to increase their marketability in a competitive job market. 

“During their fourth year as an undergraduate, students can take some graduate level courses that count toward their masters,” says Poplicher. “Essentially, it helps them graduate with their masters one whole year earlier.”

The UC mathematics department partners with the Bearcat Promise Career Studio to provide students with access to valuable internship opportunities that offer real-world experience and pave the way for success after graduation.

Leveraging on-campus and local business relationships, the department ensures that students are positioned to gain relevant, hands-on experience that will enhance their career prospects.

“We have many financial companies who either have our graduates working there or are looking for interns. They send us information which we relay to our students and many times they apply and get very good internships,” Poplicher says.

Elena Suarez Davila, a senior majoring in statistics, is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, and reflects fondly on her academic journey within the UC mathematics department.

“I have loved being a math major at UC. All of the professors are amazing, and I have learned a lot from every single one of the classes I have taken,” she says. “I also really enjoyed all the curriculum, and how much each class built off the one before. 

“There are many different classes that the math department offers that can help prepare you for many different career paths. And, apart from electives, the mandatory classes for a statistics major not only prepare you to take the actuarial exams if you choose to take them, but also require you to learn different coding languages that are commonly used in the field.”

Find out more about opportunities in mathematical sciences at UC here.

Featured image at top: Mathematical calculations. Credit/Dan Cristian Paduret for Unsplash.