Mathematician

By: Philip BourqueFor: Mrs. Bland – Period 1

GLC 205Submitted: Wednesday March 26, 2014

Introduction

I have selected the career path of a mathematician. Up until recently I have wanted to become a forensic scientist. My decision was altered due to the fact that I would much rather follow a career based on mathematics, a subject that I take the most joy from. A mathematician is a career that I can imagine myself doing because I like to find the correlation between data and work out numerical equations.

PurposeThe reason I selected the career of a mathematician is because of my

love for math. The appeal lies in the purely logical sense of the correlations and solutions. There is always an answer and a reason for that answer. Not only do I enjoy the subject of mathematics, I excel in it as well. I have consistently shown an aptitude for solving problems and understanding the processes that were undergone.

Career DescriptionA mathematician “Conducts research in fundamental mathematics and in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields, and solves or directs solutions to problems in various fields by mathematical methods: Conducts research in such branches of mathematics as algebra, geometry, number theory, logic, and topology, and studies and tests hypotheses and alternative theories. Conceives and develops ideas for application of mathematics to wide variety of fields, including science, engineering, military planning, electronic data processing, and management. Applies mathematics or mathematical methods to solution of problems in research, development, production, logistics, and other functional areas, utilizing knowledge of subject or field to which applied, such as physics, engineering, astronomy, biology, economics, business and industrial management, or cryptography. Performs computations, applies methods of numerical analysis, and operates or directs operation of desk calculators and mechanical and electronic computation machines, analyzers, and plotters in solving problems in support of mathematical, scientific, or industrial research activity. Acts as advisor or consultant to research personnel concerning mathematical methods and applications. May be designated according to function as Mathematician, Applied (profess. & kin.); Mathematician, Research (profess. & kin.).”1

1"Mathematician." Dictionary of Occupational Titles. N.p., 23 May 2003. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://occupationalinfo.org/02/020067014.html>

Where the University Program is Offered

University in Ontario Location

Queen’s University Kingston

University of Waterloo Kitchener

University of Toronto Toronto

University in other provinces Location

University of British Columbia Kingston

McGill University Montreal

University of Alberta Edmonton

University in the U.S.A Location

New York University New York

Yale University New Haven

University of California Los Angeles

High School RequirementsGrade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

Principles of Mathematics MPM1D1

Principles of Mathematics MPM2D1

FunctionsMCR3U1

Advanced FunctionsMHF4U1

ScienceSNC1D1

ScienceSNC2D1

Biology SBI3I1

Calculus and VectorsMCV4U1

Geography of CanadaCGC1D1

Canadian History in the 20th Century CHC2D1

ChemistrySCH3U1

Biology SBI4U1

English ENG1D1

English ENG2D1

PhysicsSPH3U1

ChemistrySCH4U1

Core FrenchFSF1D1

Career and Civic StudiesGLC2O1/CHV2O1

EnglishENG3U1

EnglishENG4U1

Religious EducationHRE1O1

Religious EducationHRE2O1

World Religions: Beliefs, Issues, and Traditions HRF3M1

Religious EducationHRE4M1

Dramatic ArtsADA1O1

Dramatic Arts ADA2O1

Intro to Anthropology, Psychology, and SociologyHSP3U1

Philosophy: Questions and TheoriesHZT4U1

Healthy and Active Living Education PPL1O1

Technological DesignTDJ2O1

American HistoryCHA3U1

Canadian and International LawCLN4U1Prerequisites for a 

Mathematic MajorPrerequisites for  Science Electives

University Path First Semester

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4Linear AlgebraMATH 110/6.0

Advanced CalculusMATH 280/3.0

Mathematical Theory of InterestMATH 384/3.0

Linear and Nonlinear Optimization MATH434/3.0

Principles of EconomicsECON 110/6.0

Introduction to Real AnalysisMATH 281/3.0

Real AnalysisMATH 328/3.0

Applications of Matrix AlgebraMATH 405/3.0

Intro to BiochemistryBCHM 102/3.0

Statistics And Probability ISTAT 268/3.0

Group TheoryMATH 310/3.0

Number Theory and Cryptography MATH 418/3.0

Introduction to Literary StudyENGL 100/6.0

Principles of Chemical ReactivityCHEM 212/3.0

Elementary Number TheoryMATH 311/3.0

Mechanistic Organic ChemistryCHEM 311/3.0

General ChemistryCHEM 112/6.0

Main Group ChemistryCHEM 211/3.0

Organic ReactionsCHEM 223/3.0

Biological ChemistryCHEM 323/3.0

Second Semester

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4Differential and Integral CalculusMATH 120/6.0

Rings and FieldsMATH 210/3.0

Life ContingenciesMATH 385/3.0

Introduction to Galois TheoryMATH 414/3.0

Microeconomic Theory IECON 121/3.0

Differential EquationsMATH 231/3.0

Applied Methods in StatisticsSTAT 361/3.0

Algebraic TopologyMATH 443/3.0

Vector CalculusMATH 211/3.0

Statistics And Probability IISTAT 269/3.0

Linear AlgebraMATH 312/3.0

Information Theory MATH 474/3.0

Complex AnalysisMATH228/3.0

Differential EquationsMATH 232/3.0

Evolutionary Game theory MATH 339/3.0

Mathematics with a Historic PerspectiveMATH 381

Introduction to StatisticsMATH 263/3.0

Applications of Numerical MethodsMATH 272/3.0

Differential GeometryMATH 341/3.0

Graph TheoryMATH 401/3.0

2"Degree Plans." Queen's University. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/sites/default/files/Degree%20Plans.pdf>

2

SalariesA mathematician’s salary can vary depending upon their experience

and field of work. An actuary typically starts out at $40K to $60K.3 The actuary then must move their way up through the ranks towards management. Someone in a management position could potentially earn 150K per annum.4

The average salary for a mathematician is $104,293.5 This average has been steadily rising by about $2000 per year.6

3,4"Mathematician Salary." Career Cruising. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <https://www2.careercruising.com/careers/earnings/529>

5,6"Mathematician." My Blueprint. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <https://core.myblueprint.ca/Students/Compare-Programs.aspx?id=O.1320> 

Related CareersSoftware Engineer Software engineers design, maintain and

create software for almost any kind of job. They write code for the computers and phones we use. They even create the safety protocols on the I.S.S.

Actuary Use numbers and rates to create statistics for banks, investors, governments, and credit unions.

Meteorologist Gathers data on the climate of the planet. Study the effects of global warming on weather patterns.

Employment Opportunities

The hiring outlook for mathematicians is one filled with opportunity. He need for people with a high level of math education is rising due to the increase in technology, population, and electronics. Who else would calculate the amount of fuel needed to reach Mars during the upcoming mission to colonize the red planet Mars? Mathematicians are the brains behind the phones you hold, the lights you see, and yes, even the cars you drive. According to the University of Waterloo, Mathematician is one of the best jobs that someone can get with a math degree.

Interesting Facts• It is possible to drill a square hole.• Pi will never repeat itself and never ends.• A mathematician named William Shanks attempted to calculate pi

to the 707th decimal place but made an error at the 528th digit, therefore everything after was wrong.

• In 1997, a divide by zero error occurred when a crew member entered “a” in the database on board of the USS Yorktown, a billion dollar navy smart boat, brought down all the machines on the network causing the ship’s thrust system to fail.

• There are just four numbers (after 1) which are the sums of the cubes of their digits:

153 = 1^3 + 5^3 + 3^3370 = 3^3 + 7^3 + 0^3371 = 3^3 + 7^3 + 1^3407 = 4^3 + 0^3 + 7^3

BudgetExpenses Year 1 ($) Year 2 ($) Year 3 ($) Year 4 ($)

Food 3600 3600 3600 3600

Tuition 7 5706 5706 5706 5706

Computer/Electronics

2300

Insurance 2200 2200 2200 2200

Books/supplies 1400 1400 1400 1400

Residential 8 12000 (residence) 6600 (apartment) 6600 (apartment) 6600 (apartment)

Transportation 240 240 240 240

Gas 1000 1000 1000 1000

Entertainment 1200 1200 1200 1200

Cell Phone 1440 1440 1400 1400

Shopping 2100 2100 2100 2100

Vacation 2500 2500 2500 2500

Necessities 500 500 500 500

Safety Money 4000 4000 4000 4000

Total per annum 40186 32486 32486 32486

Grand Total 137644

7,8"Determining Your Budget." Queens University. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.queensu.ca/admission/financing/budget.html>

Amount supplied by parent: $38000/aPersonal income: $3000/aTotal Income:41000Total expenses:40186

This means I have met the requirements for the expenses and will not need to take out a loan.

Conclusion

I have learned that going to university is far more complex than I originally thought. It requires you to micromanage many tasks, whether they be, with your classes or living on your own.

Yes I would still love to become a mathematician. I would like to do far more broad research about the career though. I am still unsure about the intricacies of the job and would like to determine these.

I have not made any changes to my original secondary education timetable.

Bibliography"Degree Plans." Queen's University. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. 

<http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/sites/default/files/Degree%20Plans.pdf>

"Determining Your Budget." Queens University. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.queensu.ca/admission/financing/budget.html>

"Mathematician." Dictionary of Occupational Titles. N.p., 23 May 2003. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://occupationalinfo.org/02/020067014.html>

"Mathematician." My Blueprint. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <https://core.myblueprint.ca/Students/Compare-Programs.aspx?id=O.1320> 

"Mathematician Salary." Career Cruising. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <https://www2.careercruising.com/careers/earnings/529>

https://math.uwaterloo.ca/math/future-undergraduates/careers-mathematics

http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/sites/default/files/Courses.pdf

ReflectionDesires1.What career are you interested in pursuing?I am interested in becoming a mathematician.2.What attracts you to this career?I love math in general and a career in this field would suit me best.3. What are the pros and cons to this career?The pros include doing what I love, great salary, and working around others with the same interests. I can only think of one con and that would be that I may be required to write theoretical papers.Skills1.What are some of the transferable skills that you have presently that are good for this career?I have a good worth ethic, I love the subject, and am a logical person.2.Are there any skills that you think you need to develop?No, I think I am well equipped for this career.3. What is your learning style?I am a visual learner.4. Will your learning style match the career?Yes I am able to visualize mathematic problems in more than one way. I see more than numbers, but rather the connections and correlations.Personality1. What is your personality style?I am a slightly introverted person but am bale to socialize well with people.2 does your personality match the career?Yes I am able to work on my own to solve the mathematic and numeric problems, but also explain them to others.

ReflectionsExperiences1. What experiences do you have to prepare you for this career?Math class is the only experience I have with this path.2. Are there other experiences you need?I may need experiences in the higher levels of arithmetic and mathematics but that will come in time.Action plan1.When completing the orange school course selection sheet, did you discover during your discussion with your guidance councilor that changes might be required?I have not met with my guidance councilor yet.