Mathematicians
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics > Science and MathematicsProjected Growth: Much faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Extensive Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.
Common job titles of Mathematicians include:
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Experience and Education
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
37.5% said they needed a Master's Degree.
33.33% said they needed a Doctoral Degree.
Tasks
Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
Assemble sets of assumptions and explore the consequences of each set.
Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry.
Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.
Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code.
Tools
Universal serial bus USB flash drives
Supercomputers
Personal computers
Optical disk drives
Laptop computers
Graphing calculators
Desktop computers
Technologies
C#
C++
IBM SPSS Statistics
JavaScript
Linux
Mathsoft Mathcad
Minitab
All TechnologiesMySQL
Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
Python
R
The MathWorks MATLAB
UNIX
Algae
AMPL
Analyse-it
Analysis and Visualization of Time Sequences AVTS
Apfloat
Aptech Systems GAUSS
ARfit
AUTO
Aztec
Computer Algebra System for Algebraic Geometry CASA
DataDescription DataDesk
DifEqu
Discrete Dynamics Lab DDLab
DSP Development DADiSP
EleSoft Research
Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
Geomview
GNU Octave
Graphics Programming Environment GRAPE
GraphPad Software GraphPad Prism
IBM SPSS Amos
Insightful S-PLUS
Interactive Mathematical Proof System IMPS
JACAL
Kant
KSEG
LINDO Systems LINDO API
MacKichan Software Scientific WorkPlace
Magma
Maplesoft Maple
Maxima
Maximal Software MPL Modeling System
MicroPress VTeX
ModelKinetix ModelMaker
Multipath Corporation Fast Matrix Solver FMS
Numeritek NUMERICA
PARI/GP
Polymath Software POLYMATH
Provalis Research Simstat
SAGE
SHAZAM
STATISTICA
SuperANOVA
Symmetrica
Systat Software SigmaPlot
The MathWizards MathViews
UNISTAT Statistical Package
Wolfram Research Mathematica
Skills
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Abilities
Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Quantitative Abilities › Mathematical Reasoning
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Cognitive Abilities › Quantitative Abilities › Number Facility
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Deductive Reasoning
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Inductive Reasoning
Arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Information Ordering
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension
Come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Fluency of Ideas
Generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Category Flexibility
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Expression
Come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Originality