Mathematics is the study of quantitative relationships expressed in numbers and symbols. It focuses on mathematical concepts and theories and involves their formulation, testing interpretation, and practical application. A minimal understanding and use of mathematics is considered basic to daily life and is applied in business, engineering, the physical and social sciences, computer science and fine arts. The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire offers a mathematics major with a liberal arts emphasis, an applied emphasis, a statistics emphasis or an actuarial emphasis as well as a mathematics teaching major. The Mathematics Department also offers a comprehensive major in physics mathematics and minors in liberal arts, actuarial science, teaching and middle childhood/early adolescence teaching.

What will I learn from studying Mathematics?

Knowledge:

Graduates with a degree in Mathematics develop effective abilities in problem solving, problem formation, deductive reasoning, and logical thinking. They become proficient in mathematical theories, modeling, and simulation. They can analyze, manage, and process data.

Skills:

• Solve quantitative problems
• Understand both concrete and abstract problems
• Proficiency in communicating mathematical ideas
• Attention to detail
• Make critical observations
• Organize, analyze and interpret data

What are some of the interests and values related to Mathematics?

• Logical thinking
• Thoroughness, patience and persistence
• Capacity for precision and detail
• Puzzles and strategy games
• Objectivity

What are related student and professional organizations?

Student:

• Kappa Mu Epsilon - Math Honor Society
• Actuarial Club

Professional:

• American Mathematical Society
• American Statistical Association
• Mathematical Association of America
• Society of Actuaries
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

What career fields are related to the Mathematics Degree?

Potential Employers:

Graduates with a mathematics major can be desirable to many different employers. Graduates with a degree in Mathematics typically work somewhere in mathematical, science, engineering, or education careers. Possible employers include engineering firms, schools/colleges/universities, banks, state/federal government, utility companies and investment firms, and research and development firms.

Potential Job Titles:

• Actuarial and Insurance
• Benefits specialist
• Data base manager
• Auditor
• Statistician
• Systems analyst
• Theoretical statistician
• Demographer
• Econometrician
• Ecologist
• Fluid dynamics engineer
• Teacher/college professor

What are some entry-level jobs held by UW – Eau Claire Mathematics graduates?

• Actuarial Assistant, St. Paul Companies, St. Cloud, MN
• Data Analyst , Mayo Clinic, Zumbrota, MN
• Physics Teacher , School District of Palm Beach County, Wellington, FL
• High School Teacher, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
• National Research Council Research Associate , NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

How can I learn more about Mathematics?

Department

• Contact someone in UW – Eau Claire’s Dept. of Mathematics
• Hibbard Humanities Hall 508, 836-3301

Career Services:

• Meet with a career counselor
• Take interest inventories and self-assessment tests
• Ask An Alum & Friends, a database of UW – Eau Claire Alumni & Friends available for informational interviewing

Career Discovery Center:

• Opportunities in Purchasing Careers, Kent Banning
• Great Jobs for Math Majors, Stephen Lambert & Ruth J. DeCotis
• Careers for Number Crunchers,& Other Quantitative Types, Rebecca Burnett
• Career Opportunities in Banking, Finance, and Insurance, Thomas Fitch
• Opportunities in Banking Careers , Adrian A. Paradis

Internet:

• Actuarial Job Search
• Be an Actuary
• Careers in Math
• Institute of Mathematical Statistics
• Career Profiles
• American Statistical Association Career Center

What are some opportunities for experiential learning in Mathematics?

Internship

Internships are a way to gain hands-on experience in a position that interests you as a potential career. To find an internship in Mathematics that suites your interests, visit Career Services (Schofield 230) and speak with a Career Associate about the many available internships. Contact your advisor or the Mathematics department chair about enrolling in MATH 498 to obtain academic credit for your internship.

Directed Studies or Independent Study Class

By participating in an Independent or Directed Studies course, students will be able to research an area that they find particularly interesting. Contact your advisor about enrolling in MATH 395, 399 or 499.

Research

There are many opportunities for students to participate in Research Experience for Undergraduates ( REUs) to enhance the breadth of knowledge learned in the classroom. For additional information about REU’s for undergraduates, go to Career Services (Schofield 230) and speak to a Career Associate or visit the website: www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm. For additional information about research at UW – Eau Claire, contact the Department of Mathematics.

Additional Opportunities

• Become a tutor in the Mathematics Laboratory
• Become a tutor in the Academic Skills Center for a math class
• Become a grader for a Mathematics teacher