Advising Information for BA/BS Mathematics

Academic Advising

After declaration of a major or minor in mathematics, each student will be assigned an advisor from the faculty of the department. Students must consult with their major and minor advisors prior to each registration. This is the case even if a student has another major and minor advisor in that major. Mathematics majors obtaining certification in education should consult advisors in the Department of Education in addition to their advisors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Career and Academic Paths

Through their choice of mathematics and statistics electives, students may tailor their program for a wide variety of career goals. Mathematics and statistics majors are in great demand in the increasing interdisciplinary world.

UMBC students have used a degree in mathematics or statistics as a launching pad for a wide variety of careers ranging from information technology to pursuing a law degree. Working as a mathematician or statistician in the industry or government, becoming an actuary, secondary school teaching, and pursuing a graduate degree in a subject of their choice are just a few options for a graduate.

Concentrations for Mathematics Majors

Each concentration identifies a suggested list of courses grouped by a common theme. These lists are useful for career advising.

Concentration for Graduate Study

This is particularly appropriate for those who wish to pursue advanced studies in mathematics at the graduate level. French, German or Russian should be used to satisfy language General Foundation Requirements, because these languages are a requirement of some graduate institutions.

Concentration in Applied Mathematics

This is recommended for students who wish to prepare for industrial Andrew Rukhin employment with engineering or physical science applications, immediately after obtaining a baccalaureate degree, either B.S. or B.A. The emphasis in this concentration is applications in which physical phenomena and processes are modeled with differential equations and the numerical solutions of these systems.

Concentration in Optimization and Operations Research

This is recommended for students who wish to prepare for industrial employment as applied mathematicians/ operations researchers. It is also particularly appropriate for those interested in the optimization techniques applicable to economics, management science, engineering and physical sciences.

Concentration in Actuarial Science

This is designed for students who wish to prepare for a career in actuarial mathematics. Courses in this concentration will prepare a student for the first examinations administered by the Society of Actuaries.

Validation by Educational Experience (VEE): Students are advised to take the following courses that have been approved by Society of Actuaries to satisfy its Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirement in three topics.

VEE - Applied Statistical Methods: VEE - Economics: VEE - Corporate Finance:
Concentration in Mathematics Education

This has been developed in cooperation with the UMBC Department of Education and is specifically designed for students who wish to become certified as secondary school mathematics teachers. Students should consult with an advisor in the Department of Education for specific requirements for certification.

Select one course: 3 Credits Note: One science course (e.g. PHYS 121) is also required by this program.
Concentration in Statistical Sciences

This is designed for students who wish to prepare for careers as statisticians or for other careers heavily using probability and statistics. This concentration is appropriate for students who pursue graduate study in statistics.

Special Opportunities

UMBC's proximity to federal agencies in the Baltimore-Washington area provides ample opportunities for internships and cooperative education experiences during the academic year and the summer. A close relationship exists between UMBC faculty and the staff at the National Security Agency (NSA). Many students have served as interns at NSA and have found employment there.

Upon graduation, others have co-oped at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and BlueCross/BlueShield.

Student Organizations

Pi Mu Epsilon, National Mathematics Honors Society

Pi Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honors society, has an active chapter at UMBC and organizes joint activities with the Mathematics and Statistics Council of Majors.