Mathematics is the study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. It is a body of related courses concerned with knowledge of measurement, properties, and relations quantities, which can include theoretical or applied studies of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus.

This degree is also available with a certificate to teach students in secondary schools »

Description of the Field

Students will receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mathematics degree from the Division of Liberal Arts & Life Sciences with or without Secondary Teacher Certification. Students are required to complete about 120 credit hours for each degree program. Additionally, for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with teacher certification, students must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, by fulfilling GPA requirements and passing the THEA test (unless they qualify for exemptions). There is an Early Field Experience and a Student Teaching experience requirement before graduation. Finally, in order to teach in the state of Texas, students must pass state certification exams, which they will be eligible to take after being admitted to the Teacher Education Program and consulting with their advisor to ensure they are adequately prepared before registering.

Possible Employers

The following lists of employers and job titles apply to people with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics without teacher certification as well as to people who are preparing to become certified teachers. For B.A. Mathematics majors with teacher certification, you may be less prepared to go into the non-teaching fields of mathematics in comparison with your counterparts who have a B.A. in mathematics without teacher certification, because about one-third of the classes you will take are educationrelated and not math-related (one-third are general core and one-third are mathematics major courses).

  • Manufacturing Industry
  • Transportation Industry
  • Aerospace Industry
  • Communications Industry
  • Machinery Companies
  • Electrical Equipment Companies
  • Pharmaceutical Firms
  • Consulting Firms
  • Federal Agencies
  • State Agencies
  • Financial Organizations
  • Consumer Goods Manufacturing
  • Computer Hardware/Software Firms
  • Service Companies
  • Specialized Training Organizations
  • Public Schools
  • Private and Charter Schools
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Educational Institutions
  • Educational Publishers
  • Insurance Firms
  • National/Regional Brokerage Firms
  •  

Possible Job Titles

  • School Administrator
  • School Counselor
  • Secondary Math Teacher
  • Math Instructional Coach
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Actuary
  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Contract Administrator
  • Information Scientist
  • Cost Estimator/Analyst
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Air Traffic Controller
  • Data Control Administrator
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Mathematician
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • College Professor
  • Demographer
  • Media Buyer
  • Meteorologist
  • Network Programmer
  • Commodity Manager
  • Numerical Analyst
  • Operations Research Analyst
  • Financial Consultant
  • Public Health Statistician
  • Hydro Geologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Cartographer
  • Risk & Insurance Specialist
  • Technical Writer
  • Systems Analyst
  • Robotics Programmer
  • Satellite Communications
  • Urban Planner
  • Biostatician

Success Strategies

  • Note that greatest demand is for applied mathematicians with skills in computer science, electronics design and theory, statistics and probability.
  • Develop computer and research skills. Learn to use relevant software packages.
  • Earn a master's degree in math, business, or related field for advanced positions or for consulting jobs.
  • Maintain excellent G.P.A. for graduate/professional school admission.
  • Gain relevant experience through internships, volunteering, summer, or part-time jobs.
  • Join related professional organizations.
  • Acquire a business minor.
  • Volunteer to assist a professor with research.
  • Gain knowledge of computer languages and programming.
  • Take classes and earn relevant certifications.
  • Become the financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization.
  • Acquire a master's degree or Ph.D.for teaching positions at the college or university level.
  • Volunteer to teach, supervise, or tutor with organizations such as Big Brother/Sister, YMCA, or churches.
  • Pair a strong background in mathematics with another technical discipline such as computer science or engineering.

Online Resources

Math Jobs- http://math-jobs.com/us
Jobs for Mathematics- http://www.mathjobs.org/jobs
National Security Agency Careers- http://www.nsa.gov/careers/
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Job link- http://www.siam.org/careers/
American Mathematical Society Undergraduate Resources- http://www.ams.org/employment
Cool Math: Careers in Math- http://www.coolmath.com/careers.htm
Careers in Math- http://www.cln.org/themes/careers_math.html
Career Resources- http://www.awm-math.org/
Women in NASA- http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/intro.html
US Department of Energy Career Intern Program- http://humancapital.doe.gov/pers/cip/applicant/index_applicant.htm
Internships at NASA- http://www.nasajobs.nasa.gov/studentopps/employment/default.htm
Science Careers Web- http://www.sciencecareersweb.net/

Professional Associations

American Mathematical Society- http://www.ams.org/
Association of Women in Math- http://www.awm-math.org/ads.html
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)- http://www.nctm.org/
Texas CTM- http://tctmonline.org/
Mathematical Association of America- http://www.maa.org/
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics- http://www.siam.org/
Council for African-American Researchers in the Mathematical Sciences (CAARMS)- http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/
CAARMS/CAARMS-index.html