Mathematics
The demand for mathematicians is projected to be robust. A shortage of math teachers, a growing need for specialists in actuarial science, and increased demand for greater efficiencies in computer networking and data analysis suggest a strong job outlook for mathematicians.
Why Penn State Behrend?
When you pursue the B.S. in Mathematics at Behrend, you choose to study in one of four options within the major. This allows you to customize your degree to your career interests.
Applied Math is the option that emphasizes numerical analysis, modeling, and problem-solving, while Pure Math typically is chosen by students preparing to pursue an advanced degree in mathematics. Business Math option students take additional coursework in statistics, management information systems, economics, and finance; Computer Science option students also study programming, computational science, algorithms, and numerical methods.
For even greater specialization, you could pursue a certificate in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics, or add a minor in Statistics to your degree. Are you interested in teaching? It’s possible to seamlessly double major in Secondary Education in Mathematics. Graduating with both content and teaching degrees offers you the immediate benefit of meeting federal Highly Qualified Teacher status guidelines, which improves your job marketability.
Regardless of the option you choose, you’ll have opportunities to participate in faculty-supervised undergraduate research. Student-faculty collaboration has generated research in mathematical biology, game theory, abstract algebra, random variables, math education, pattern formation, statistical modeling, statistics and sports, graph theory, stock market analysis, and the history of math, and these projects frequently resulted in student presentations at regional and national professional conferences. You also may receive financial support for your research experience, either from $350,000 in annual college-wide funding or from your faculty mentor’s external grants.
Internships offer you the real-world work experience that employers are looking for. Erie is home to Larson Texts, a publisher of best-selling secondary and college-level math textbooks, and Erie Insurance, the county’s 15th largest property and casualty insurer. Both are popular internship destinations for Mathematics majors.