Mathematics Transfer Pathway

Alternative Job Titles for Mathematicians

• Computational Mathematician
• Computational Scientist
• Cryptographer
• Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst
• Image Scientist
• Knowledge Engineer
• Mathematician
• Research Computing Specialist
• Research Scientist
• Researcher

Job Tasks and Activities for Mathematicians

• Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
• Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
• Analyze security of systems, network, or data.
• Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.
• Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
• Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
• Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.
• Design computer modeling or simulation programs.
• Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code.
• Determine appropriate methods for data analysis.
• Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry.
• Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
• Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
• Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
• Develop scientific or mathematical models.
• Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
• Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
• Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
• Prepare analytical reports.
• Present research results to others.
• Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
• Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
• Update professional knowledge.

Interests for Mathematicians

• Investigative
  Studying and researching scientific subjects and human behavior.
• Conventional
  Following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting.

Skills for Mathematicians

In order of importance

• Mathematics
  Using math to solve problems.
  Importance: 100/100
• Critical Thinking
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  Importance: 81/100
• Complex Problem Solving
  Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  Importance: 78/100
• Active Learning
  Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
  Importance: 75/100
• Reading Comprehension
  Reading work-related information.
  Importance: 75/100
• Science
  Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
  Importance: 66/100
• Writing
  Writing things for co-workers or customers.
  Importance: 63/100
• Judgment and Decision Making
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
  Importance: 63/100
• Learning Strategies
  Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
  Importance: 60/100
• Speaking
  Talking to others.
  Importance: 60/100
• Active Listening
  Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  Importance: 60/100
• Systems Analysis
  Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
  Importance: 56/100
• Instructing
  Teaching people how to do something.
  Importance: 53/100
• Systems Evaluation
  Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
  Importance: 53/100
• Monitoring
  Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  Importance: 50/100
• Time Management
  Managing your time and the time of other people.
  Importance: 44/100
• Social Perceptiveness
  Understanding people's reactions.
  Importance: 44/100
• Coordination
  Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
  Importance: 44/100
• Persuasion
  Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
  Importance: 41/100
• Operations Analysis
  Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
  Importance: 38/100
• Programming
  Writing computer programs.
  Importance: 38/100
• Management of Personnel Resources
  Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
  Importance: 31/100
• Service Orientation
  Looking for ways to help people.
  Importance: 22/100
• Negotiation
  Bringing people together to solve differences.
  Importance: 22/100
• Management of Material Resources
  Managing equipment and materials.
  Importance: 16/100
• Management of Financial Resources
  Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
  Importance: 16/100
• Technology Design
  Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
  Importance: 16/100
• Operations Monitoring
  Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
  Importance: 16/100
• Quality Control Analysis
  Testing how well a product or service works.
  Importance: 13/100

Knowledge for Mathematicians

In order of importance

• Mathematics
  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  Importance: 100/100
• English Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Importance: 70/100
• Computers and Electronics
  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  Importance: 62/100
• Education and Training
  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  Importance: 54/100
• Engineering and Technology
  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  Importance: 44/100
• Physics
  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
  Importance: 43/100
• Administration and Management
  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  Importance: 29/100
• Foreign Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
  Importance: 25/100
• Design
  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  Importance: 23/100
• Communications and Media
  Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  Importance: 22/100
• Biology
  Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  Importance: 22/100
• Customer and Personal Service
  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  Importance: 21/100
• Chemistry
  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  Importance: 21/100
• Economics and Accounting
  Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  Importance: 19/100
• Administrative
  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
  Importance: 17/100
• Public Safety and Security
  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  Importance: 16/100
• Personnel and Human Resources
  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  Importance: 16/100
• Law and Government
  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  Importance: 15/100
• Medicine and Dentistry
  Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  Importance: 14/100
• Telecommunications
  Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  Importance: 14/100
• Psychology
  Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  Importance: 14/100
• Sales and Marketing
  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  Importance: 13/100
• Transportation
  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  Importance: 11/100
• Mechanical
  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  Importance: 10/100
• Production and Processing
  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  Importance: 8/100
• Sociology and Anthropology
  Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
  Importance: 7/100
• History and Archeology
  Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  Importance: 7/100
• Philosophy and Theology
  Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
  Importance: 7/100
• Geography
  Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  Importance: 6/100
• Therapy and Counseling
  Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  Importance: 3/100
• Food Production
  Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  Importance: 2/100
• Building and Construction
  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  Importance: 1/100
• Fine Arts
  Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
  Importance: 1/100

Physical Abilities for Mathematicians

In order of importance

• Mathematical Reasoning
  Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
  Importance: 100/100
• Number Facility
  Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
  Importance: 88/100
• Deductive Reasoning
  Using rules to solve problems.
  Importance: 78/100
• Inductive Reasoning
  Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
  Importance: 78/100
• Written Comprehension
  Reading and understanding what is written.
  Importance: 75/100
• Oral Comprehension
  Listening and understanding what people say.
  Importance: 75/100
• Information Ordering
  Ordering or arranging things.
  Importance: 75/100
• Oral Expression
  Communicating by speaking.
  Importance: 72/100
• Written Expression
  Communicating by writing.
  Importance: 69/100
• Problem Sensitivity
  Noticing when problems happen.
  Importance: 69/100
• Category Flexibility
  Grouping things in different ways.
  Importance: 69/100
• Fluency of Ideas
  Coming up with lots of ideas.
  Importance: 69/100
• Near Vision
  Seeing details up close.
  Importance: 66/100
• Originality
  Creating new and original ideas.
  Importance: 63/100
• Perceptual Speed
  Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
  Importance: 50/100
• Selective Attention
  Paying attention to something without being distracted.
  Importance: 50/100
• Speed of Closure
  Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
  Importance: 50/100
• Speech Recognition
  Recognizing spoken words.
  Importance: 50/100
• Flexibility of Closure
  Seeing hidden patterns.
  Importance: 50/100
• Speech Clarity
  Speaking clearly.
  Importance: 50/100
• Visualization
  Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
  Importance: 44/100
• Memorization
  Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
  Importance: 44/100
• Time Sharing
  Doing two or more things at the same time.
  Importance: 28/100
• Far Vision
  Seeing details that are far away.
  Importance: 28/100
• Finger Dexterity
  Putting together small parts with your fingers.
  Importance: 22/100
• Visual Color Discrimination
  Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
  Importance: 19/100
• Auditory Attention
  Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
  Importance: 16/100
• Hearing Sensitivity
  Telling the difference between sounds.
  Importance: 16/100
• Depth Perception
  Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
  Importance: 13/100
• Trunk Strength
  Using your lower back and stomach.
  Importance: 13/100
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
  Importance: 10/100

Tools and Technology used by Mathematicians

• Desktop computers
• High capacity removable media drives
• Mainframe computers
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers
• Read write digital versatile disc DVD
• Scientific calculator
• Analytical or scientific software
  • AMPL
  • ARfit
  • Algae
  • Analyse-it
  • Analysis and Visualization of Time Sequences AVTS
  • Apfloat
  • Apple Shazam
  • Aptech Systems GAUSS
  • Aztec
  • Computer Algebra System for Algebraic Geometry CASA
  • DSP Development DADiSP
  • Data visualization software
  • DataDescription DataDesk
  • DifEqu
  • Discrete Dynamics Lab DDLab
  • EleSoft Research
  • GNU Octave
  • Geomview
  • GraphPad Software GraphPad Prism
  • Graphics Programming Environment GRAPE
  • IBM SPSS Amos
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • Insightful S-PLUS
  • Interactive Mathematical Proof System IMPS
  • JACAL
  • KANT
  • KSEG
  • LINDO Systems LINDO API
  • MacKichan Software Scientific WorkPlace
  • Magma Design Automation software
  • Maplesoft Maple
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • Maxima Software
  • Maximal Software MPL Modeling System
  • Minitab
  • ModelKinetix ModelMaker
  • Multipath Corporation Fast Matrix Solver FMS
  • Numeritek NUMERICA
  • PARI/GP
  • Polymath Software POLYMATH
  • Provalis Research Simstat
  • SAS
  • STATISTICA
  • Sage Accounting Software
  • StataCorp Stata
  • SuperANOVA
  • Symmetrica
  • Systat Software SigmaPlot
  • The MathWizards MathViews
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNISTAT Statistical Package
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
• Business intelligence and data analysis software
  • Tableau
• Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Salesforce software
• Data base management system software
  • MySQL
• Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Structured query language SQL
• Desktop publishing software
  • MicroPress VTeX
• Development environment software
  • C
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
• Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise application integration software
  • Extensible markup language XML
• Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Photoshop
• Internet browser software
  • Web browser software
• Network security or virtual private network VPN management software
  • Vormetric Application Encryption
• Object or component oriented development software
  • C#
  • C++
  • Object oriented development environment software
  • Oracle Java
  • Perl
  • Python
  • R
• Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software
  • Apple macOS
  • Bash
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft operating system
  • UNIX
• Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Program testing software
  • User interface design software
• Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
• Transaction server software
  • Web server software
• Web platform development software
  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • PHP
• Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word

Employment Industries for Mathematicians

• Federal government, excluding postal service
  1,200 employed
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state
  400 employed
• Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
  300 employed
• Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
  100 employed