Mathematics is of paramount importance to the Physical and Engineering Sciences and very significant in the Economic, Social and Biological Sciences. Mathematics is the essential tool with which scientists formulate theories and analyse their consequences.
As well as being remarkably effective in applications, Mathematics has been studied in its own right for centuries because of its elegance and beauty. Few people will remain totally unmoved by their first verification of such results as the theorem of Pythagoras, or Euler's formula for the vertices, faces and edges of any convex polyhedron (e.g. a pyramid or a cube). The curiosity that leads to such results is a vital force that continues to inspire the mathematician and often leads to unexpected connections. For example, surprising applications to the coding of communications have been obtained not only from the algebraic theory of the integers but also from results concerning the optimal packing of objects in space.
Career Prospects
A degree in Mathematics is the gateway to a wide variety of careers. Whether or not these degrees have included courses particularly relevant to the organisation, employers are keen to enrol mathematicians for their potential ability to analyse and comprehend continuing developments, whether in technology, business or commerce. One of our recent graduates writes: “I am working as a Business Consultant. My job basically involves a lot of the ground work involved in consulting, such as market research, analysing company performance etc. I am enjoying it ... I have used Maths as a way of thinking, or analysing problems”.
Many of our graduates are finding employment opportunities in the financial sector - in banking, in insurance and actuarial work and in accountancy. These opportunities may arise in companies of varying sizes, from international to local. Similar opportunities also arise for those of our graduates who go into business analysis and management. Many of these opportunities occur directly after graduation, but in some cases, students study for a further year in an MSc or Diploma course to enhance their employment opportunities in these areas.
A sizeable proportion of our graduates also find work in areas of employment related to computing. Some of these jobs are directly related (one recent graduate describes his job as Games Programmer), others are combined with knowledge of financial management and, particularly, operational research, and yet others arise in a wider consultative capacity in a variety of fields. Mathematical modelling is invaluable in a variety of areas. Another recent graduate says: One thing I have found interesting in the last year and a half, was the high demand for mathematical advice in most biological fields. I would strongly recommend mathematical modelling to anyone with a wish to apply mathematics.
Finally a career in teaching in schools or institutes of higher or further education is the goal of a number of graduates. Normally this involves obtaining a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education at one of the Colleges of Education.
Further Study
Last but by no means least, many of our graduates decide to extend their qualifications by taking post-graduate courses, in Aberdeen or at Universities
throughout the UK and beyond. With a higher degree in mathematics, employment prospects are even more substantial. One option open to graduates is a career in academia, but many other highly beneficial possibilities do exist.
Aberdeen Maths Society
The society aims:
- To raise the profile of Mathematics as a discipline and a hobby to the University of Aberdeen community.
- To improve the social environment for students studying Mathematics
- Offer students not studying Mathematics at University level to participate in activities related, and unrelated, to the subject.
Join the Aberdeen Maths Society -