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Job Report Mathematicians
Nature of the Work
Mathematicians work in one of the oldest and most basic sciences. Mathematicians
today are engaged in a wide variety of activities, ranging from the creation of new theories
to the translation of scientific and managerial problems into mathematical terms.
Mathematical work falls into two broad classes: Theoretical (pure) mathematics; and
applied mathematics. However, these classes are not sharply defined and often overlap.
Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical science by developing new
principles and new relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although they
seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, this pure
and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing many scientific and
engineering achievements. For example, in 1854, G.F.B. Reimann invented a seemingly
impractical non-Euclidian geometry that was to become part of Albert Einstein's theory of
relativity. Years later, this theory contributed to the creation of atomic power.
Applied mathematicians use mathematics to develop theories, techniques, and
approaches to solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, and the
natural and social sciences. Their work ranges from analysis of the mathematical aspects
of launching communications satellites to studies of the effects of new drugs on disease.
Much work in applied mathematics, however, is carried on by persons other than
mathematicians. In fact, the number of workers using mathematical techniques is many
time greater than the number actually designated as mathematicians.
Working Conditions
Mathematicians working for government agencies and private firms have structured
work schedules. They may work alone with only computers, calculators, and mathematical
formulas as company. Or they may be an integral part of a research team that includes
engineers, computer scientists, and others. Deadlines, overtime work, special requests for
information, and travel to attend seminars or conferences may be part of their jobs.
Mathematics faculty have flexible work schedules, dividing their time among
teaching, research, consulting, and administrative responsibilities.
Employment
Mathematicians held about 18,000 jobs in 1990. In addition, about 33,000 persons
held mathematics faculty positions in colleges and universities.
Most mathematicians working in the government--primarily Federal--and in service
and manufacturing industries. The department of Defense and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration are the primary employers of mathematicians working in the
Federal Government. Major employers within the services sector were miscellaneous
business services, including research and development laboratories; educational services;
and noncommercial educational and research organizations. Within manufacturing, guided
missiles and space vehicles; aircraft; and office, computing, and accounting machine
industries provided the most jobs.
Mathematicians work in all States but are concentrated in those with high-technology
industries.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
An advanced degree is the preferred requirement for beginning teaching jobs, as
well as for most research positions. However, in most 4-year colleges and universities, the
Ph.D. degree is necessary for full faculty status. The master's degree is generally the
minimum requirement for teaching jobs in 2-year and small 4-year colleges.
A bachelor's degree is considered adequate preparation for some jobs in private
industry and government. Individuals with this background usually assist senior
mathematicians by performing computations and solving less advanced problems in applied
mathematics. The majority of bachelor's degree holders work in related fields such as
computer science where employment opportunities are rapidly expanding. However, an
advanced degree is a prerequisite for the more responsible positions. Many research
positions require the doctorate.
The bachelor's degree in mathematics is offered by most colleges and universities.
Mathematics courses usually required for a degree are analytical geometry, calculus,
differential equations, linear algebra, probability theory and statistics, mathematical
analysis, and modern algebra. Many colleges and universities urge or even require
students majoring in mathematics to take several courses in a field that uses or is closely
related to mathematics, such as computer science or mathematics and statistics is
particularly desirable. A prospective college mathematics student should take as many
mathematics courses as possible while in high school.
About 470 colleges and universities offer the master's degree in mathematics; nearly
200 also offer the Ph.D. In graduate school, students conduct research and take advanced
courses, usually in a specific field of mathematics such as algebra, mathematical analysis,
or geometry.
For work in applied mathematics, training in the field in which the mathematics will
be used is very important. Fields in which applied mathematics is used extensively include
physics, actuarial science, engineering, and operations research; of increasing importance
are computer and information science, business and industrial management, economics,
statistics, chemistry and life sciences, and the behavioral sciences.
Mathematicians should have a working knowledge of computer programming since
most complex mathematical computation is done by computer.
Mathematicians need good reasoning ability, persistence, and the ability to apply
basic principles to new types of problems. They must be able to communicate well since
they often need to discuss the problem to be solved with non-mathematicians.
Job Outlook
Employment of mathematicians is expected to increase about as fast as the average
for all occupations through the year 2000. Most job openings, however, will arise from the
need to replace experienced mathematicians who transfer to other occupations, retire, or
leave the labor force for other reasons.
The shortage of Ph.D.'s in mathematics is expected to continue, resulting in
favorable employment opportunities. In industry, holders of the doctorate in applied
mathematics have better employment prospects than their theoretically oriented colleagues.
Holders of the doctorate in theoretical mathematics should continue to have good
opportunities for teaching and research jobs in colleges and universities.
Industry and government agencies will need mathematicians for work in operations
research, mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, computer systems design and
programming, information and data processing, applied mathematical physics, robotics,
market research, commercial surveys, and as consultants in industrial laboratories.
Holders of a master's degree in mathematics may have difficulty finding a job in
college teaching or theoretical research. However, there will be many openings in applied
areas such as computer science and data processing.
Bachelor's degree holders in mathematics with a strong background--preferably a
double major--in computer science should have very good opportunities in computerized
data processing activities in industry. Those who meet State certification requirements may
become high school mathematics teachers, who are currently in short supply.
Earnings
According to a 1990 College Placement Council Survey, starting salary offers for
mathematics graduates with a bachelor's degree averaged about $28,600 a year; for those
with a master's degree, $30,800; and for new graduates having the Ph.D., $42,325.
Starting salaries were generally higher in industry than in government or educational
institutions.
According to the Professional Scientific Personnel Report, 15th edition, experienced
mathematicians averaged from $36,712 to $71,750 a year.
Fringe benefits for mathematicians tend to be similar to those offered to most
professional who work in office settings; vacation and sick leave, health and life insurance,
and retirement plans, among others.
Related Occupations
A degree in mathematics generally qualifies one to enter related occupations such
as actuarial scientist, statistician, computer programer, systems analyst, and operations
research analyst. In addition, a strong background in mathematics facilitates employment
in fields such as engineering, economics, finance, and genetics.
Sources of Additional Information
Several brochures are available that give facts about the field of mathematics,
including career opportunities, professional training, and colleges and universities with
degree programs.
Seeking Employment in the Mathematical Sciences is available for $2, and $2 for
additional pairs of copies, from:
American Mathematical Society, P.O. Box 6248, Providence, R.I. 02940.
Professional Opportunities in Mathematics is available for $1.50 from:
Mathematical Association of America, 1529 18th St. NW., Washington, D.C.
20036.
For specific information on careers in applied mathematics, contact:
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, 1405 Architects Building, 117
S. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.
For information on a career as a mathematical statistician, contact:
Institute of Mathematical Statistics, 3401 Investment Blvd., No. 7, Hayward,
California 94545.
Information on Federal job opportunities is available from area offices of the State
employment service and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management or from the Federal Job
Information Centers located in various large cities throughout the country.
For information about careers in noncollegiate academic institutions, contact:
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1906 Association Dr., Reston,
VA 22091.
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