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...
Physician
Jeff Anderson, MD PhD
Director of Functional Neuroimaging
University of Utah Department of Neuroradiology
BS Math BYU
“Most people who train in mathematics do not end up as academic mathematicians, although many do end up in academics. Mathematics is possibly the ideal training for any career in science, medicine, law, or business. It teaches rigorous thought, problem solving, and creativity.”
“I have an amazing job where I study the brain using functional MRI half time, and spend half time in clinical practice reviewing neuro-radiological exams such as MRI’s and CT’s. Most of the research projects I’m involved in use some type of analysis that is facilitated by mathematical training. I write my own data analysis software, which gives me big advantages in pursuing cutting edge theories. It’s a competitive world in academics as in most fields, and solid mathematical training gives you the ability to compete in the intellectual high country where fewer investigators feel comfortable, and where the most sophisticated and beautiful ideas tend to live.”
Physicians, or doctors, diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive health care.
Earnings of physicians and surgeons are among the highest of any occupation, and depend on area of specialty and how long the individual has been a physician.
Low-end Salary:
$137,119/yr
High-end Salary:
$321,686/yr Education:
Becoming a doctor requires more training than most other jobs. It usually takes at least 11 years to become a doctor: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 years working in a hospital. To become a doctor, you should study mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and English.
Do you love mathematics, but want to pursue a career as a doctor?
"Professional graduate schools in business, law, and medicine think mathematics is a great major because it develops analytical skills and the ability to work in a problem solving environment. And results on admission tests for graduate and professional schools show that students majoring in mathematics receive substantially higher scores than most other majors."
William Allard & Clark Bray
Duke University, Mathematics Department
Math Required:
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Calculus I
Calculus II (useful)
Linear Algebra (useful)
Statistics and Probability
When Math Is Used:
Physicians use math in every day practice. For example, they use statistics and probability to interpret tests results. When a patient is treated for an illness, the probability is used to determine which type of treatment to use, if any.
“Evidence-based medicine, the use of statistical models to guide diagnoses and treatment, is already changing how doctors practice.” - Ian Ayres
Potential Employers:
Approximately 15 percent of physicians are self-employed. About half of wage–and-salary physicians and surgeons work in offices of physicians, and 18 percent are employed by hospitals. Others practice in Federal, State, and local governments, including colleges, universities, and professional schools; private colleges, universities, and professional schools; and outpatient care centers.
Facts:
Anesthesiologists focus on the care of surgical patients and pain relief. They are responsible for maintenance of the patient’s vital life functions—heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, breathing—during surgery. They also work outside of the operating room, providing pain relief in the intensive care unit, during labor and delivery, and for those who suffer from chronic pain. Anesthesiology is the specialty where individuals can receive the highest salary as a physician.
Know of a math-related career or how one uses math? Submit a career entry to the site!
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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
I found this math problem online about how physicians use math that I thought was pretty cool: http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/farid/mathkids/doctor.html
It talks about how to compute the probability that a patient is actually sick and explains why the accuracy ratings on different tests don't really let your know your chances of being sick or not.