Why Study Maths?

Why Study Mathematics?

Maths Is Important

Mathematics is a universal part of human culture. It is the tool and language of commerce, engineering and other sciences – physics, computing, biology etc. It helps us recognise patterns and to understand the world around us. Mathematics plays a vital, often unseen, role in many aspects of modern life, for example:

• Space travel
• Safeguarding credit card details on the internet
• Modelling the spread of epidemics
• Predicting stock market prices
• Business decision making

As society becomes more technically dependent, there will be an increasing requirement for people with a high level of mathematical training. Analytical and quantitative skills are sought by a wide range of employers. A degree in mathematics provides you with a broad range of skills in problem solving, logical reasoning and flexible thinking. This leads to careers that are exciting, challenging and diverse in nature. Whatever your career plans, or if you have no plans at present, a degree in mathematics provides you with particularly good job prospects

Maths Is Diverse

Mathematics is extremely diverse and our degrees enable you to specialise in the areas that are of particular interest to you. Whether your interest is more in the area of pure maths, applied maths, or operational research and statistics, we have a choice of degree scheme for you. Additionally you can create your own degree from the large number of individual modules we offer. These modules vary from the theoretical to the practical. So, on one hand for example, you can studby abstract algebra and number theory and on the other, you can study internet security, financial mathematics and fluid flows. We also offer several optional computing modules, providing practical skills that are much sought after in the job market.

Maths Has Good Career Prospects

Analytical and quantitative skills are sought by a wide range of employers. A degree in mathematics provides you with a broad range of skills in problem solving, logical reasoning and flexible thinking. This leads to careers that are exciting, challenging and diverse in nature

Whatever your career plans, or if you have no plans at present, a degree in mathematics provides you with particularly good job prospects

The generic nature of mathematics means that almost all industries require mathematicians. Mathematicians work in business, finance, industry, government offices, management, education and science. A proportion of our students will use their degree in mathematics as preparation for further studies at Masters or Doctorate levels.

The experience gained through a sandwich course increases your employability even further. We offer the opportunity for a year's salaried work experience during your degree that enables you to try a job of your choosing and provides employers with evidence of your achievements and skills.

Graduate Study in Mathematics

While a career in mathematics can be very attractive, it takes time to acquire the necessary skills, particularly for basic research at the Ph.D. level.  Graduate study is essential for most fields. The undergraduate course sequence provides a foundation upon which more advanced mathematics will be built. In graduate study, one or two further years of coursework completes this basic training. Thereafter, more specialized courses, often at the frontiers of research, are taken.  Applied mathematics students will take courses in various application areas to acquire experience in modeling the real world, and to learn how mathematics can help with problems from the physical and biological sciences, and in finance.

The breadth and depth of work will depend on the degree level.  With an M.S. degree, the student is prepared for many jobs in government, business, and industry; with the Ph.D. degree the choices are wider.  Many Ph.D. mathematicians join the faculty of a university or four-year college, where they not only teach but also conduct research and publish their results in scholarly journals and books.  Others take post-doctoral positions at various laboratories around the world, where work of interest to them is being done.  Still others pursue careers in corporate research and management.  With either an M.S. or a Ph.D., starting salaries are significantly higher than those of graduates with bachelor's degrees.

At both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels, graduate study in mathematics develops a number of important skills for solving problems suggested either by mathematics or by real world questions.  Foremost is the ability to break complex issues into smaller, more manageable problems, until a model is reached which can be thoroughly studied and understood.  Applied mathematics develops the art of extracting quantitative models from problems of physics, biology, engineering and economics.   This ability comes from experience, such as that acquired gradually from examples studied in graduate courses.

Undergraduate Background

An undergraduate student wishing to enter graduate study in mathematics should first satisfy the basic undergraduate requirements.  The most essential courses are the calculus sequence (often three one-term courses and a course in advanced calculus) and a course in linear algebra.  Courses in probability, statistics, and an introduction to computer science are also useful.  Courses in algebra and topology can provide an introduction to more abstract mathematics.  Students interested in applied mathematics will probably want to consider taking core courses from another department, such as physics, chemistry or biology.  Introductory courses in ordinary and partial differential equations are useful.  It is desirable to master at least one computer language.

Where possible, undergraduate students interested in applications should seek a broad scientific background.  Understanding problems from the viewpoint of more than one specialty or application can help lead to a deeper mathematical understanding as well.  The Courant Institute welcomes applicants with undergraduate degrees in other science fields, such as physics, biology, or engineering.