Kerry Whisnant, an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and professor of physics at Iowa State University, may be on to something that will greatly impact team winning percentages. Mathematical models that he and other fanatic baseball statisticians have helped produce may accurately predict teams' successes. Whisnant and other members of the Society for American Baseball Research have analyzed...
College Professor
Pace Nielsen
“Mathematics has an unearthly beauty and majesty…
At the University of California, Berkeley, I earned my Ph.D.. During this time I gained a deeper knowledge of modern mathematical research.”
“Why do mathematics? If you want to gain a greater ability to reason, understand science, answer hard questions, teach truth, or just appreciate a little more the wonders of the world around you, then you have your answer.”
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level. Postsecondary teachers include college and university faculty, postsecondary career and technical education teachers, and graduate teaching assistants.
Low-end Salary:
$27,590/yr
Median Salary:
$56,120/yr
High-end Salary:
$113,450/yr Education:
The education and training required of postsecondary teachers varies widely, depending on the subject taught and educational institution employing them. Educational requirements for teachers are generally highest at research universities, where a Ph.D. is the most commonly held degree; at career and technical institutes, experience and expertise in a related occupation is the principal qualification.
Math Required:
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Calculus I, II, III
Linear Algebra
Ordinary Differential Equations
Real Analysis
Abstract Algebra
Theory of Analysis
Complex Analysis
Although faculty at junior colleges may only need the math in this list, most math professors at research universities need much more math than this.
When Math Is Used:
A college professor’s time is largely spent on research, preparing class material, meeting with students, or however else he or she chooses. Math is used when the professor teaches the specific courses he or she chooses and when the professor conducts mathematical research.
Potential Employers:
Professors are hired everywhere at universities, state colleges, and technical institutes.
Facts:
With the exception of scheduled classes-which can consume as few as three hours a week in graduate universities or up to twelve to sixteen hours per week for undergraduates—a professor’s time is largely spent on research, preparing class material, meeting with students, or however else he or she chooses. This profession is thus best suited for motivated self-starters, and its highest rewards are given to those who can identify and explore original problems in their fields.
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Quote Of The Day
"I feel my training in mathematics provided me with the invaluable ability to apply logic, reason, and careful quantitative, as well as qualitative, analysis to my work. These thought processes are desired and applicable to almost any field."
Senior Engineer
Figures represent salary potential.
© BYU Mathematics Department 2009
Additional support provided by:
Mathematical Association of America