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...
Mathematical Physicist
A mathematical physicist applies mathematics to problems in physics and develops mathematical methods suitable for the formulation of physical theories.
Low-end Salary:
$52,070/yr
Median Salary:
$94,240/yr
High-end Salary:
$143,570/yr Education:
Usually a Ph.D. in mathematics or physics is needed to work as a mathematical physicist. People who want permanent jobs in basic research at universities and government labs need even more training. People with a master's degree in physics often get jobs in manufacturing and applied research and development. Those with a bachelor's degree often work as technicians or research assistants.
Math Required:
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Calculus I and II
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Topology
Combinatorics
When Math Is Used:
Math is constantly used as a mathematical physicist as they use models and equations to solve a variety of physics-related problems.
Potential Employers:
About 38 percent of mathematical physicists work in scientific research and development services firms. Another 21 percent work for the Federal Government, mostly in the Department of Defense or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Others work in colleges and universities, usually in research.
Facts:
The great seventeenth century English physicist and mathematician, Isaac Newton, developed a wealth of new mathematics (for example, calculus and several numerical methods) to solve problems in physics.
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Quote Of The Day
"Students often ask me what to take in school… my answer?... follow your natural interests, but take lots of math!"
Vice President and General Manager for GE Medical Systems
General Electric Company
Figures represent salary potential.
© BYU Mathematics Department 2009
Additional support provided by:
Mathematical Association of America