Math majors are not as common as some other majors, but they are still a significant percentage of college students.
Detailed answer question
Math majors are not as common as some other majors, but they still make up a significant percentage of college students. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2018-2019 academic year, there were over 1.7 million bachelor’s degree recipients, and math degrees accounted for just above 2% of them.
Despite the lower percentage of overall graduates in this field, pursuing math as a major has its advantages. For example, math majors tend to earn high salaries upon graduation, with some of the highest median starting salaries in many job markets. Additionally, math majors can provide practical skills that are in high demand in a growing number of fields.
As stated by Stanley Gudder, a former American mathematician and professor at the University of Denver, “Mathematics is not only real, but it is the only reality. That which is not mathematically true is not just inexact but is not real.” Gudder’s quote highlights the importance and significance of mathematics in all areas of life.
Here are some interesting facts about math majors:
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Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences in the world, with evidence of mathematical concepts dating back to ancient Greece, China, Egypt and India.
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Mathematics is used in a wide range of professions, from business to healthcare, engineering, economics, and technology to name a few.
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Some notable mathematicians whose discoveries have advanced the field significantly include Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Pythagoras, Nikola Tesla, and Leonardo da Vinci.
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Mathematics is also used in various everyday activities such as cooking, shopping, and traveling.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the mathematical field are projected to grow by 30% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The following table shows the top 10 U.S. universities that awarded the most bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and statistics during the 2019-2020 academic year:
| University | Bachelor’s Degrees in Mathematics and Statistics |
|---|---|
| University of California-Los Angeles | 332 |
| University of California-Berkeley | 284 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 239 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 175 |
| University of Washington | 170 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 165 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 156 |
| New York University | 150 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 149 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 145 |
Overall, while math majors may not be as common as some other majors, pursuing a degree in mathematics can lead to a wide range of career opportunities and high earning potential.
Further responses to your query
While I’m rather biased on this topic, I think it’s a great one.
Here are some perks to it:
• If you don’t know what you want to do yet, math gives you a wide range of options. For a lot of those options, you’d need more schooling, but there are many fields that a math background can help you in. To name just a few: engineering, computer science, business, economics, medicine, one of the natural sciences, middle/high school teacher (you could teach math or anything that relies heavily on it), college professor, and, of course, mathematician. Plus, those are just the ones that first came to mind for careers that would directly relate to your undergraduate, if you get your math degree then decide you want to be a concert pianist or sushi chef or whatever else, a degree in mathematics won’t stop you, and the problem solving abilities you’ll have gained will come in handy even in occupations that don’t use very much math directly.
• You’ll likely make some bank. Of course getting a degree…
See related video
“The Math Major” video discusses the differences between applied and pure math. Applied math is using math to solve problems outside of math, such as modeling oil spills, predicting stock market fluctuations, and creating wildfire forecasts. Pure math involves proofs, where students learn to prove mathematical concepts and equations like proving that the product of two odd integers is odd. Additionally, the video explains a proof involving the assumption that the square root of 2 can be represented as a ratio of two integers leading to a contradiction, showing that the square root of 2 is irrational. Learning these proofs is important for opening up opportunities in other pure math courses and careers such as abstract algebra.
Moreover, people are interested
People also ask, How common is math major? As an answer to this: In 2020-2021, 30,202 people earned their degree in mathematics, making the major the 35th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, mathematics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,168 and had an average of $21,863 in loans still to pay off.
Consequently, Is math major the hardest major? As an answer to this: Not surprisingly, mathematics takes second place for hardest college major. A bachelor’s in math may seem a bit generic, but it’s actually quite flexible. Employers everywhere are seeking individuals who think independently, creatively and critically, and math students do exactly that.
What are the most common math majors? The most common type of math degree is a bachelor’s of science in mathematics. This major incorporates an advanced mathematics curriculum, with a specific focus on abstract concepts, formulas, and algorithms. Graduates with a B.S.
Is math a competitive major?
In reply to that: However, because lots of students need to take math classes, universities often have lots of math professors and therefore lots of spots for math majors. This can make these majors less competitive but, make no mistake, you’ll need to show exceptional math skills to be considered a strong applicant for a math major.
Keeping this in consideration, How popular is mathematics as a major? The reply will be: Mathematics was the 32nd most popular major in the 2019-2020 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 30,668 degrees in this year alone. This represents a small change of only 0.8% from the prior year’s total of 30,415 math degrees awarded.
Consequently, How many undergraduate programs are there in mathematics?
There are four undergraduate programs in mathematics. The first three are all part of Course 18 and lead to the degree Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. The fourth is Mathematics with Computer Science, Course 18C, and leads to a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Computer Science.
Do mathematics majors take Algebra? As a response to this: Many mathematics majors start their undergraduate degree program by taking an array of liberal arts classes from psychology to English literature. But they also take a lot of mathematics courses. Many programs require pure mathematics majors to take several courses of algebra that build upon one another.
Then, What are the different types of math degrees?
The response is: These degrees allow students to follow specific interests and prepare them for the unique needs of the fields they hope to enter. This list includes some of the most common specialties offered in math departments, including applied math, pure math, statistics, and computer science.
Is mathematics a good major?
Response: Mathematics is a subject that incorporates abstract thinking and solving complex puzzles. And degrees in this field can be as intricate and unique as the theorems you’ll come to understand. When choosing a college major, students can quickly become overwhelmed by the number of options they have.
What are some common math careers?
In reply to that: Common math careers include actuary, mathematician, statistician, research analyst, and educator. In this guide we explore potential career paths, earning potential, and degree options. We also provide tips and tools for launching a career in math. Why Pursue a Career in Math?
Keeping this in consideration, What is a common college major?
The answer is: College majors can be broad, such as English, or more specific, like petroleum engineering. While not all students go on to work within their major, following a certain track throughout college can offer students skills to pursue various opportunities. Below is a list of common college majors.
Consequently, How many courses can a math major take?
Answer: A list of approved courses can be found in the Math major FAQ. Pure mathematics majors can count up to two courses from related departments. Some of these courses are listed below; a full list can be found in the Math major FAQ.