Mathematics

Career potential

The world is becoming increasingly quantitative. More and more, the solutions to problems ranging from environmental policy decisions to multimillion-dollar investment allocations depend on quantitative reasoning and complex mathematical models. A degree in mathematics from the University of North Texas will provide you with the skills needed to work on important, challenging, real-world problems in business, industry, government and education.

With a bachelor's degree in mathematics you may:

• develop new models for evaluating stock options and pricing derivatives
• create state-of-the-art techniques for predicting atmospheric reactions and transport of chemical pollution
• improve algorithms for computer-aided aircraft design
• design procedures for DNA- and protein-sequencing
• develop image and voice recognition systems
• teach math at a private school, in a public school district or in higher education

Math majors work for AT&T, Citigroup, Eastman Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Alcatel-Lucent, Microsoft Corporation, NASA, the National Security Agency, Philips Electronics, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Silicon Graphics Inc., Texas Instruments, Union Bank of Switzerland, United Services Automobile Association, the U.S. Army and Navy, and school districts across the United States.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in mathematics

The Department of Mathematics offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees with a major in mathematics at the undergraduate level. Master of science, master of arts and doctoral degrees with a major in mathematics are available at the graduate level.

As a math major, you will take courses in several core areas, including differential and integral calculus, vector geometry, abstract algebra and analysis. These courses will provide the mathematical foundation and analytical skills you will need to pursue a teaching career, to solve real-world problems or to enroll in a graduate or professional school. You may also take courses in probability, statistics, differential equations, numerical analysis, graph theory and dynamical systems.

UNT mathematics faculty members are internationally recognized as experts in their fields. Many faculty members have also worked as consultants for private companies and government agencies. Among faculty members who regularly teach UNT's undergraduate math courses are Ph.D. graduates of Auburn, Brown, M.I.T., Ohio State, Penn State, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, UC-San Diego, Texas and Yale.

The UNT mathematics department offers a number of scholarships for undergraduate math majors and sponsors an undergraduate seminar series.

Getting hands-on experience

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may work in a job related to your major through UNT's office of Cooperative Education and Internships. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience.

Math majors may also apply to work in the Math Lab, a tutoring service funded by fees paid by undergraduates enrolled in 1000- and 2000-level mathematics courses. Math majors may also apply for positions assisting instructors with grading.

Upper-level math majors frequently work with faculty members on research grants, gaining valuable research experience as a preparation for graduate school. They also have access to UNT's outstanding mathematics library, which contains more than 500 mathematics journal subscriptions, most of which are available electronically.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year. For your high school math requirements, you are encouraged to take Advanced Placement courses when available.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

The undergraduate advisor in the Department of Mathematics will help you plan your class schedule each semester. Faculty members can also give you career advice. The department office is in the General Academic Building, Room 435.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.