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Introduction to Mathematics
Have you ever been made fun of in class for the fact that your life revolves around numbers? Or picked on in school for being a math geek? Well, here’s your chance to get even! Figures have shown that today, mathematics graduates are the most well-paid of graduate jobs in other sectors. Besides, mathematics graduates have one of the lowest levels of unemployment across the world. Mathematics can be combined with other graduate degrees such as actuarial studies, biology, computer science, economics and finance or taken as a stand-alone master’s program. With a math degree, you can work in various sectors and professional fields since numbers are a vital component in most areas. It was, and remains, one of the most multi-faceted and comprehensive careers, since it provides an enticing combination of good remuneration and flexibility in choice when it comes to choosing a job.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Mathematics is a science-related field and most grad schools provide an MSc on its completion at the master’s level. As mentioned before, one can pick mathematics as a stand-alone graduation subject, in which case one will be awarded with an MSc in Mathematics or an MSc in Mathematical Studies., Alternatively students can opt for a combination of mathematics and actuarial science, astronomy, biology, computer science, economics, finance, management science, music, operational research, physics, and statistics. Students can also pursue joint honours in mathematics with languages such as French, German or Spanish.
Top grad schools offering master’s courses in mathematics require prospective students to have completed their bachelor’s degrees with a first class or honours, and with mathematics as one of their core areas of study. This is essential to enable the students to grasp the higher level of study effectively. In certain cases, the course eligibility criteria may be to have the prospective student study another scientific subject at the undergraduate level. An example of this would be in the case of a combined honours degree of math and physics, where the applicant must have studied both math and physics at the undergraduate level.
There is good news for those who have not fared well in their bachelor’s degrees as those with a third class degree or other qualification may be admitted after passing a Diploma in Mathematics. In the field of mathematics, work experience is not given too much emphasis although a candidate having sufficient work experience does have an added advantage over one that does not. For the most part, grad schools do not place too much emphasis on work experience since a mathematics degree is not the pathway to any single profession. Rather, it is a field of study that leaves a large number of options open.
PhD programs in mathematics are also available in a number of grad schools. These are mostly for those wishing to pursue mathematics as an academic subject and make a profession as a teacher or academic. PhD programs are generally for longer periods of time, i.e. three years or more, and have separate eligibility requirements since they involve a lot of research. If you are keen on studying mathematics at the graduate level, it is best to research the different programs offered by the top graduate schools in your country, find out their eligibility requirements and then apply accordingly so you do not feel cheated.
WHAT SKILLS WILL I ACQUIRE?
Age-old mathematical concepts as well as the latest theories are all blended together and taught to the mathematical graduate. Since the course is very technical, involving a lot of figures and denominations, one thing you can be sure of when you complete the course is that your accounting will never go wrong.
A master’s course in mathematics will provide you with the logical thought processes involved in the subject that are highly sought after. They give you the opportunity to acquire a wide range of business, science or languages skills that will help you to find the right employer. The ability to think rationally and to process data clearly and accurately are other skills that you acquire from a master’s degree in mathematics.
When it comes to joint or combined courses, a mathematics masters degree also provides knowledge of the other subject that one is studying with math and how that combination will provide employment opportunities in related fields.
A knack with numbers can prepare you for a range of jobs and provide you with the self-belief to approach a prospective employer with confidence.
The math masters programs are mostly taught courses and rarely have research modules as they are practical, and not theoretical. The PhD courses, however, do involve a great deal of research as they are more academic-oriented.
