B.S. in Mathematics — Programs of Study

Mathematics Concentration

Mathematics provides elegant, effective tools for solving problems in nearly every area of human endeavor — from the sciences to business and economics to the social sciences — and it especially appeals to students who like to solve problems. This concentration helps you understand the structure of mathematics, stimulates interest in research, and prepares you for later work. You can use a mathematics background as an entry point to fields such as physics, computer science, software engineering, economics, business, finance, medicine, or law. The major also fully prepares graduates for master's or Ph.D. study in mathematics and related fields. Students who choose a mathematics major without one of the concentrations below can select either a pure or applied math option.

Mathematics Education Concentration

The Mathematics Education concentration leads to secondary certification in mathematics. This licensure is designed for those who want to teach mathematics in grades 7–12 in middle and high school settings, and it requires additional coursework in education. School systems consistently need graduates with strong mathematical backgrounds to teach and inspire the next generation of doctors, scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.

Statistics Concentration

Statistics is the science of gathering and analyzing data. Statisticians work all over the world in many capacities: determining the effectiveness and safety of new medicines for pharmaceutical companies, controlling quality in manufacturing, setting policy premiums and estimating payoffs for insurance companies, analyzing consumer demand, and planning services for government agencies. To learn more about the field, explore careers in statistics from the American Statistical Association.

While there are jobs for statisticians with undergraduate degrees, many employers require an advanced degree. The statistics concentration at Austin Peay provides excellent preparation for master's-level work; our graduates have gone on to graduate school in statistics or taken actuarial exams.

Actuarial Science Concentration

Actuarial science uses mathematics and statistics to study and manage risk — evaluating the probability of future events and finding ways to reduce their likelihood or impact. Actuaries combine skills in math, statistics, finance, and economics to solve risk-related problems for the insurance industry, government, banks, and other financial institutions. This concentration prepares you for a career as an actuary, consistently ranked as a top job for salary, work environment, and employment outlook, as well as many other careers in finance and insurance.

Data Science Concentration

Data science is an emerging field that combines mathematics, statistics, and programming to develop and apply methods for solving real-world problems. Demand for data science professionals is high across many industries, including technology, public health, business, insurance, banking, and environmental science. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that jobs for data scientists will grow faster than average through 2028, and as of February 2021 the average salary for a data scientist was $113,609.

This concentration trains students to move quickly into industry positions and spark new discoveries. Graduates gain the theoretical, practical, and comprehensive knowledge of data analysis needed to become data analysts, quantitative analysts, financial analysts, and researchers. The concentration is open to individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

Minors

Minor in Mathematics

Mathematics plays an increasingly important role in many fields, including economics, biology, medicine, manufacturing, and logistics. Many graduate programs in these areas encourage or expect applicants to be competent in calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. An 18-hour minor in mathematics can meet that expectation in most cases.

Minor in Mathematics requirements

Actuarial Science Minor

Actuaries play a vital role in today's economy by managing risk — the chance that an undesirable, unexpected event occurs. They work not only in insurance companies but also in government, private corporations, colleges and universities, banks, investment firms, public accounting firms, labor unions, and rating bureaus. The actuarial profession is consistently rated among the top-ranked jobs. Regardless of your major, an actuarial science minor is a strong addition to a resume. At 18 credit hours, it's an ideal fit for students graduating in computer science, business, finance, accounting, physics, mathematics, or engineering.

Actuarial Science Minor requirements

Applied Statistics Minor

Statistics is vital to nearly every modern industry — forensic science, agriculture, engineering, medicine, business, finance, and healthcare administration among them. General knowledge of even basic statistical tools makes you more competitive in the job market. Job prospects are strong for those with statistical skills, and statisticians with graduate degrees command very good starting salaries. Regardless of your major, a statistics minor can strengthen a resume and prove useful on the job.

Applied Statistics Minor requirements

Data Science Minor

Demand for professionals with data science skills is robust, with excellent career prospects across diverse sectors and competitive starting salaries. For students unable to complete all the coursework in the Data Science concentration, the minor offers a viable alternative. This 18-credit-hour program is designed to build proficiency for students majoring in computer science, business, physics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, psychology, geology, geography, earth sciences, and biology. It provides a structured pathway to essential data science knowledge and analytical skills that apply across many industries.

Data Science Minor requirements

Course Descriptions

The academic bulletin includes course descriptions for Mathematics courses and Statistics courses.