Why Study Mathematics?

Why Major in Mathematics?

• Research-oriented institutions such as IBM, EDS, Bell Labs, and the Rand Corp., as well as other industries with research components such as the automobile industry, hire those with mathematics degrees to be part of their research teams.
• Many companies prefer to hire employees with degrees in mathematics for computer related positions such as Programmer or Systems Analyst.
• Statisticians are employed in both the public and private sectors in positions which require the analysis of data or the design of statistically sound quality control programs.
• Operations Research is sometimes called "the Mathematics of Decision Sciences " and involves the use of mathematics, statistics and computer science. To prepare for this rapidly growing field, students usually do their undergraduate work in mathematics and graduate work in Operations Research.
• Actuaries are employed by insurance companies and many other large companies. Usually, only a BS degree, with course work in linear algebra, is required for initial hiring. Actuarial trainees then pass a sequence of exams to become fully qualified. In a recent study, "actuary" was judged to be among the least stressful of all occupations!
• Mathematics Teachers are in great demand at high schools and community colleges. Nationally, the emphasis on teaching math and science at the elementary level has become a top priority. Elementary schools often favor applicants with a strong background in mathematics.
• Businesses in general often hire mathematics graduates as managers. Managers must use mathematics related tools such as statistics, operations research and computer technology. A student with an undergraduate major in mathematics has a strong advantage when entering the field of management.

  Why Study Mathematics At Wayne State?

  The Department of Mathematics takes pride in the quality and variety of opportunities available to our students.

  Internationally Recognized Faculty

  The Department has a large faculty of 40 professors who, in addition to teaching, are engaged in research in pure and applied mathematics and in statistics.

  Teaching Excellence

  Five members of our faculty have received the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. The quality of our instructional programs is top priority, and our students are able to interact with and take even basic mathematics courses from outstanding faculty.

  Small Class Size and Individual Attention

  A typical class contains about 30 students. Professors have the opportunity to know each of their students and encourage consultations during office hours.

  Course Selection

  Undergraduate courses are offered at a variety of times to accommodate both day and night students. Courses are scheduled so that part-time as well as full-time students have full access to all required courses.

  Technology

  Graphing calculators are utilized in the classroom. Computer facilities, with a variety of mathematical software, are available to undergraduates.

  Learning Support Services

  The Mathematics Department offers a number of special programs and support services to provide the greatest opportunity for all students to succeed in mathematics courses. These programs and services are described below.

  Employment Opportunities

  Students who work hard to succeed in mathematics and who truly enjoy doing mathematics have the opportunity to become mathematics tutors.

  Research Opportunities

  Mathematics majors at WSU have the opportunity to participate in an innovative and highly successful research group.

  Special Programs and Support Services

  The Mathematics Tutoring Center

  The Math Tutoring Center is available to all WSU students on a walk-in basis and also by appointment. Top priority is given to students taking math courses such as calculus and precalculus, but students in any curriculum which requires an understanding of mathematical concepts are also assisted. The Center is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association, and tutors receive on-going training and supervision. The Tutoring Center also provides employment for math majors. The tutors reinforce their own knowledge of mathematics and develop a deeper understanding of the subject.

  The Emerging Scholars Program

  The Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) is an honors-level Calculus and Pre-calculus program designed to increase the number of students who succeed and excel in Mathematics. If you plan to major in Mathematics, the Sciences or Engineering, and if you have a commitment to excellence and are truly willing to work hard to reach the heights, you may be a candidate for ESP.

  PREP (Pre-Emerging Scholars Program)

  PREP is a program designed for students who, because they hope to pursue careers in Engineering, Mathematics, Math Education or Science, will need to master a great deal of Mathematics (at least through Calculus), but who presently lack the background needed to begin taking college-level math (MAT 1800). It is an intense program for students who have both the determination and the mathematical ability to excel.

  The Undergraduate Research Group in Mathematics

  This project was conceived as a follow-up program for those ESP students who had successfully completed the calculus sequence and were junior and senior mathematics majors. It has now expanded to include students who were not in the ESP program. The goal of the research program is to give undergraduate students a preview of "what mathematicians do", that is, engage in research toward solving unsolved problems and creating original mathematics. Students profit in two ways from these research endeavors. First, they have the opportunity to learn advanced mathematics, from topology to number theory, as well as to raise their programming skills. Second, they experience the thrill of mathematical discovery that rewards the young mathematician who tackles a problem that no one has yet been able to solve - and solves it. Our students have found many new solutions and have presented their results at professional conferences.

  WSU Math Corps and the Mathematics "Pipeline"

  The Math Corps is a combined academic enrichment and mentoring program that brings Detroit students together to teach math and to learn math from other students. High school students teach middle school students, WSU students teach high school students, and all students interact with WSU faculty. It is based upon the goal of a self-perpetuating "army" of students from college through middle school who excel in math and pass their knowledge and enjoyment of the subject on to other students, and those students would pass on this tradition to others. The Math Corps includes a highly successful Summer Camp and the Super Saturdays program.

  Through the Math Corps, the Mathematics Department has established a "pipeline" from Middle School through college. The unifying philosophy is two-fold: 1) A commitment to the achievement of excellence through hard work, dedication, and a regimen of challenging mathematics; and 2) A commitment to collaborative learning, with students developing a clear sense of being part of a community.

  If you are interested in further information on becoming a mathematics major at Wayne State University, or if you would like further information on any of these programs, please call or send e-mail. We also invite you to call the Department to arrange to come for a visit. Our faculty would be pleased to meet with you and to answer your questions. For an appointment, please call (313) 577-2479 or e-mail chair@math.wayne.edu.

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