Q: I understand you have to be a genius, or at least a nerd, to be a mathematics major. Is that true?

Mathematics is not a major reserved for geniuses. The skills required to succeed in the program are accessible to almost all students who enjoy the subject and are willing to work hard, but the payoff is worth the effort. As far as the nerd factor is concerned, it is true not many people want to carry on a serious conversation about mathematics at a party (except to emphasize how weak they are in the field). This just gives mathematics majors an opportunity to demonstrate how well rounded, witty, and creative they can be. Treat it as a challenge!

Q: I will need a strong support structure to enable me to perform up to my ability. What is provided through the department?

Faculty in the department are available to work with you individually during their posted office hours and by appointment. The department also employs a number of advanced students to conduct peer tutoring sessions. You will be treated as a person, not a number.

Q: Is there any type of student organization?

A student-run Math Club plans activities ranging from invited speakers who provide information on career options and job interviewing techniques to social events with faculty. They have periodic fund raising activities to support their programs. The department also sponsors a chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national honor society.

Q: What is the Data Analysis Institute and how does it involve undergraduate majors?

The Data Analysis Institute operates under the umbrella of the department. It accepts contracts to process data for university and external customers. Some advanced undergraduate students are hired to help on these projects as required.

Q: Does the program prepare a person for later life?

A recent poll of employers listed the following "transferable skills" they look for in a new employee:

• Comparing similarities or differences
• Computing, working with numbers
• Analyzing, breaking down into parts
• Organizing, classifying, systematizing, prioritizing
• Seeing patterns among a mass of data
• Deciding, evaluating, appraising, making recommendations.

These are exactly the skills that result from studying mathematics.

Q: I am not positive what I want to do for the rest of my life. In fact, I may want to try several careers before I retire. How will mathematics help me?

In addition to the technical skills gained, courses in mathematics also help a person learn to be more disciplined and organized. They help develop reasoning ability and the overall flexibility required to adapt to our changing world. It is a degree for the present, with an eye to the future.

Q: What is the opinion of CEO's of leading corporations about mathematics majors?

A recent front page article in the Wall Street Journal included the following quote: "'Your grandfather may have had the same job his whole life, but you could have five different careers to train and retrain for,' warns Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive John Young. He prizes math and science foundation skills that prepare future employees for continuous learning."

Q: Is it possible to major in mathematics and still be certified to teach on the secondary level?

Yes. This can be accomplished two ways. First, a student can follow the curriculum outlined in the dual degree program described later in this booklet. Upon graduation, the student receives two bachelors degrees, one in mathematics, the other in education, and certification to teach on the secondary level. A second approach would be to minor in education (selecting courses with the assistance of an advisor in the School of Education) and complete certification requirements in a graduate level program in the School of Education.

Q: Besides teaching mathematics on the college and pre-college levels, what other career opportunities are available?

Although teaching is the first (only?) career that people usually think of when considering mathematics, the truth is that only about one-third of all mathematics majors become teachers. A recent edition of Jobs Almanac listed actuary, computer programmer, systems analyst, mathematician, and statistician as the five best jobs. Other possible choices include data analyst, financial analyst, management consultant, and cryptologist. A whole array of additional choices become available if the mathematics major is combined with a background in computers.

Q: What opportunities are there available for mathematics majors to pursue further study beyond the bachelor's level?

Mathematics is an excellent preparation for graduate school in many disciplines. Mathematics itself is the most obvious choice, but in fact the majority of undergraduate mathematics majors attend graduate school in another discipline. Some of the more popular fields are computer science, business, engineering, economics, and law, but the flexibility gained from the major combined with proper support courses opens the door to almost any field.

Q: How do I declare a major in mathematics?

Students can declare a major beginning at the end of their freshman year by completing a short declaration card which can be obtained in the departmental office, COLH 440.