DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS START YOUR JOURNEY AS A WILDCAT TO DAY!
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STATISTICS
Welcome! Whether you have made the decision to study mathematics or are still considering this as one of several options, we are glad you are here! We want to help you understand not just what will happen in your courses during your time at IWU, but potential career paths for your journey after graduation. The following pages contain a sampling of possible careers in mathematics and their connections to the programs available in our department: MATHEMATICS MA JOR Preparation for graduate school or technical career in business, industry, or government MATHEMATICS-INTERDISCIPLINARY MA JOR Preparation for a career applying mathematics to problems in a related discipline MATHEMATICS EDUCATION MA JOR Preparation for teaching high school or middle school mathematics ACTUARIAL SCIENCE MINOR Preparation for an actuarial career, usually with the Math-Interdisciplinary major STATISTICS MINOR Preparation for using data to answer complex realworld questions DANIEL KITECK | Associate Professor of Math BOB MALLISON | Associate Professor of Math SCOTT MCCULLOUGH | Associate Professor of Math MEVIN ROYER | Division Chair, Professor of Math BECKY WAKEMAN | Assistant Professor of Math 765-677-1703 MISTI.BEAL@INDWES.EDU INDWES.EDU/UNDERGRADUATE/DMCIS
Statistics Minor A statistics minor combined with other majors is excellent preparation for careers or graduate studies in a variety of fields including actuarial science; economics and business; the life, physical, and computing sciences; medicine; and the social sciences. Nearly all of these fields have an increasing amount of data being collected, and a developed ability to analyze and solve problems is valued in any discipline. The number of required classes for this minor is kept low to allow students to choose electives most helpful in their own major. Statistics is at the foundation of the rapidly growing field of “big data” which refers to data sets too large to analyze by traditional means. The now-massive number of electronic data collection devices may help companies make better decisions if usable information can be extracted from this data. The statistics minor has been especially popular with students in majors such as Psychology and Biology who plan to do statisticsbased research in graduate school. These students will benefit greatly from a thorough knowledge of statistical practice.
ACTUARIAL SCIENCE
WILL I ENJOY IT? Actuarial Science Minor The Indiana Wesleyan University Minor in Actuarial Science prepares students to enter the actuarial profession. Designed by IWU Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Bob Mallison, the plan of study prepares students for the first two actuarial exams and satisfies the Society of Actuaries’ requirements for Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) in Mathematical Statistics, Accounting and Managerial Finance, and Economics. The minor is intended for students taking a Mathematics or Mathematics Interdisciplinary Major, although students with other majors can also include it by taking the necessary mathematical prerequisites.
Most math majors enjoy solving problems. Try your hand at those below and check your answers at indwes.edu/undergraduate/dmcis
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Four friends have been identified as suspects for hacking into a computer system. They have made statements to the investigating authorities. Alice said “Carlos did it.” John said “I did not do it.” Carlos said “Diana did it.” Diana said “Carlos lied when he said I did it.” If only one person is telling the truth, who is the hacker? If only one person is lying, who is the hacker?
2
Suppose there are three utility plants (water, electric, and gas) in a town. Three factories are to be built, each requiring a direct line from each of the utility plants. Can the factories be situated so that no utility lines cross one another?
The Society of Actuaries describes an actuary as “a business professional who analyzes the financial consequences of risk. Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to study uncertain future events, especially those of concern to insurance and pension programs. They evaluate the likelihood of those events, design creative ways to reduce the likelihood and decrease the impact of adverse events that actually do occur.” Actuaries are important parts of their companies’ management teams. Their work combines strong analytical skills, business knowledge and understanding of human behavior to design and manage programs that control risk. Surveys consistently report actuarial science as one of the “best” careers based on job availability, satisfaction, security, working conditions, and salary. The coursework is primarily taught by Dr. Mallison, who is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries and who practiced as an actuary for over twenty years. He already has a track record of coaching students to pass the first actuarial exam while an undergraduate. IWU alumni currently work as actuaries in insurance companies such as Auto Owner’s and Western & Southern.
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Suppose marbles can have three colors – red, blue, and white – with equal probability. If four marbles are randomly selected, what is the probability that there is at least one marble of each color?
CAREER
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
opportunities MATHEMATICS
MATH
MATH
INTERDISCIPLINARY
EDUCATION
BUS I N ES S / F I N AN C E Economist* Quantitative Financial Analyst* Operations Research Analyst Investment Analyst
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Actuary Market Research Analyst
Kelly Day MAJOR: MATHEMATICS EDUCATION GRAD YEAR: 2009 CAREER: MATH TEACHER
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“I am currently teaching 7th grade math at Westfield Middle School in a community just north of Indianapolis. I was created to be a math teacher and when I teach I feel pleasure in knowing that I am doing what God made me to do. I owe so much to the math department of IWU. The math professors trained and molded me both intellectually and spiritually into the teacher I am today. More specifically, I owe a special debt of gratitude to the IWU math department for a grant I received to travel throughout Asia one summer. My IWU senior seminar thesis was based on international achievement in mathematics. I took the research I had used for my senior project and transformed it into a grant proposal that was accepted and funded by the Eli Lilly Foundation. The grant allowed me to travel to seven different Asian countries. During this time, I interviewed numerous teachers, visited several schools and completed the research I started five years ago. The summer was an incredible blessing to me and would not have been possible without the guidance of my IWU math professors and their dedication to pushing me to achieve my fullest potential. They helped me find and pursue my passion, and with those tools God has been able to open up some incredible doors for me."
S TATI S T IC S / IN F O RM ATI CS Statistician* Data Scientist* Data Analyst
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C OMP U T I N G Cryptanalyst Numerical Analyst Algorithms Engineer E N G I N E E RIN G/ S C I ENCE/M ED I CI NE Meteorologist Mathematical Modeler R & D Scientist* Engineering Analyst Medical Doctor*
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Systems Engineer
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ACA DE M IA/ RE S E ARCH/ED U CATI O N College Professor* Mathematician* High School Teacher Middle School Teacher
*Graduate/professional degree usually expected
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(Kelly was subsequently awarded a Fullbright Distinguished Award for Teaching and spent a semester in Finland researching the Finnish education system. Then in 2019, Kelly was one of the three Indiana state finalists in math for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.)
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
Mathematics Education Major The Mathematics Education major prepares students to teach mathematics in middle school and high school. The program meets the Indiana Board of Education mathematics standards and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in consultation with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. A degree in Mathematics Education will equip you with the knowledge needed in your field of study, the skills necessary to convey that knowledge effectively to students, and the dispositions required to be a successful educator and difference-maker in the lives of your students and colleagues. Students in this major participate in four levels of field experience. The first level is two weeks of "Observation/ Participation". The second level is two semesters of "Tutoring/Mentoring" done at a local school helping individuals and small groups. The third level is the "Junior Content-Specific Practicum" involving two semesters of field experience in two different levels of content classrooms teaching a minimum of six lessons. The fourth level is 14 weeks of full-time student teaching, half of which may optionally be done in a foreign country. Virtually all IWU Math Education graduates receive teaching job offers before or immediately following graduation. Some choose to stay in Indiana, while others return to teach in their home state. Employment of high school teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Rising student enrollment should increase demand for high school teachers. Many schools report that they have difficulty filling teaching positions for certain subjects, including math, science, English as a second language, and special education. As a result, teachers who specialize in these subjects should have the best job prospects. The median annual wage for high school teachers was $60,320 in May 2018.
MATHEMATICS POSITIONS TAKE RANK!
Job Market Projections, Wages and Satisfaction
TOP
10
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in mathematical occupations is projected to grow by over 50,000 new jobs from 2016 to 2026, a growth rate of 28%, which is nearly four times the average overall jobs growth rate of 7%. High growth rates are projected for nearly all of the sample jobs in the table. Businesses and government will drive much of this growth with an increasing emphasis on the use of big data.
#1 GENETIC COUNSELOR # 2 M ATHE M ATIC IAN
Median annual wages for mathematicsrelated positions were $86,700 in May 2018, which was more than twice the overall median annual wage of $38,640.
#3 #4 #5 #6
bls.gov/ooh/math/home.htm
BEST JOBS OF 2018
UN IVE RSITY PRO F E SSO R OC C UPAT IONA L T H E R A P IST STATISTIC IAN MEDICAL SERVICES MANAGER
# 7 DATA SC IE N TIST #8 INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST #9 OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYST #10 ACTUARY careercast.com/jobs-rated/2018-jobsrated-report
DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU GRADUATE TO START TRANSFORMING THE WORLD. MAKE POSITIVE, REAL-WORLD CHANGE NOW. Mathematics Major A Mathematics degree will prepare you for further study in graduate school or for occupations in business, industry, and government where clear thinking, problem-solving skills, and mathematical maturity are valued. Your studies will emphasize the integration of faith and learning, integrity, critical thinking, discipline, communication, and technology skills. This degree includes an independent mathematical research experience working closely with a professor. Students frequently present these projects at professional conferences, and several have led to publication. Recent representative projects include “All Possible Solutions to Numbrix Puzzles”, “The Glass Billiards Problem”, “Fisher Price Never Taught us How to Pack Circles in Triangles”, and “New Theorems for the Digraphs of Commutative Rings.” Since the degree prepares you for the possibility of graduate studies, it also requires several classes at a more rigorous academic level than our other mathematics-related programs. IWU students completing this degree have gone on to graduate schools such as the London School of Economics, University of Kentucky, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University, Ball State University, Miami University of Ohio, and Rochester Institute of Technology. Others have entered the workforce in positions such as business analyst, pricing analyst, R&D lab technician, and cryptanalyst (for the US National Security Agency).
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
PAST
placements Milliman, Indianapolis IN Valve & Meter Performance Marketing, Indianapolis IN Maxwell Group, Duluth GA Western & Southern Financial, Cincinnati OH Eli Lilly, Indianapolis IN Jacobus Energy, Milwaukee WI Erie Insurance Group, Erie PA Medical Protective, Ft Wayne IN IWU Financial Aid, Marion IN
Students may complete their internship with any employer provided the job meets the faculty's criteria for academic credit.
Student Internships IWU students typically earn their internship credit as part of a paid summer job. Students frequently report that the internship was one of the most valuable parts of their education, and the internships have frequently led to an offer of a permanent job.
Luke Nelsen
Caryn Willis
MAJOR: MATHEMATICS GRAD YEAR: 2012 CAREER: VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
MAJOR: MATHEMATICS GRAD YEAR: 2016 CAREER: BIOINFORMATICS SCIENTIST, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
“The math department at IWU was beneficial to me in many ways. First, the professors cared a lot about the students! This made a big difference when I encountered tough days or needed math help and advice. Second, I got to participate in math events such as competitions, colloquium talks, conferences, and fun get-togethers. These exposed me to aspects of mathematics beyond what courses cover. Third, the individualized advice I received for career plans made it possible for me to get a Ph.D. in math. I am certain that I would not have had a successful graduate experience if it had not been for the recommendations to take Analysis and Topology and to apply to some additional schools.”
“During my senior year at IWU, I attended a national math conference with the math department. There, I discovered the field of Computational Biology and its applications in cancer research. So, after taking a gap year, I attended Carnegie Mellon University for my Master of Science in Computational Biology degree where I applied my math skills with new computational and biology knowledge. Since graduating Spring 2019, I have started a Bioinformatics Scientist position at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, I am working on developing Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis Algorithms to help Scientists and Oncologists understand the diverse makeup of tumors. I am thankful for the opportunities I was given at IWU to discover my passions and develop the mathematical and personal foundations I have to help me in my career and life. ”
(After receiving his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Colorado Denver, Luke joined the University of Indianapolis in 2019 as a Visiting Assistant Professor).
MATHEMATICS-INTERDISCIPLINARY
Mathematics-Interdisciplinary Major A Mathematics-Interdisciplinary major provides a strong background for students planning to directly enter the workforce in a non-teaching career. A growing awareness of the power of mathematics in many other disciplines has led to a high demand for mathematicians who are able to apply their skills to solve challenging, ill-defined, large-scale, and cross-disciplinary problems. This major requires a minor in a related academic area chosen by the student (Actuarial Science, Business Administration, and Statistics are the most common). Students generally combine their internship requirement with a full-time paid summer job. IWU students completing this degree have entered the workforce in positions such as associate consultant, associate financial analyst, collateral specialist, and actuarial analyst.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Ian McCulla
Cole Ward
MAJOR: MATHEMATICS GRAD YEAR: 2009 CAREER: ACTUARY
MAJOR: MATH INTERDISCIPLINARY GRAD YEAR: 2018 CAREER: ACTUARY
“IWU provided me with an excellent framework to begin my actuarial career...the Mathematics Department’s emphasis on technical writing, presentations and group assignments helped me develop communication skills essential to excel in a business setting.”
“I have passed two exams since I started working. I have four total now, and I will soon be taking STAM, which would be number five if I pass. I am in the Annuity Products division, so I am involved with annuity pricing, maintenance, and rate setting. Pension risk transfer is a large part of my everyday work. I am also in charge of a couple of deferred annuities and am currently working on pricing a new indexed annuity alongside an FSA. This includes working with teams outside of actuarial to design and price the product so it will be competitive in the market but reach desired profitability goals. I am also provided study time on the job, so I fit that in where I can.”
(Ian is a consulting actuary at Milliman and a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries).