Undergraduate Programs
The Mathematical Sciences Department offers the bachelor of science degrees in two areas: mathematical sciences and actuarial mathematics.
Students who choose the mathematical sciences major may outline their own programs or focus in one of four suggested areas of specialization: computational and applied analysis, discrete mathematics, operations research, and statistics/probability. Because mathematical sciences majors must become familiar with modern computational modeling tools and applications, they gain a solid background in computers and a firm foundation in science and engineering.
- Professionals in computational and applied analysis develop mathematical models of continuous phenomena in the physical or biological sciences. They apply appropriate computational tools and interpret the results in light of experimental evidence, often working as part of a team of scientists and engineers.
- Discrete mathematicians solve problems in a wide range of disciplines, from ecology to cryptography and computer science.
- Those in operations research use mathematical methods to determine the optimal solutions to problems facing business, industry and government.
- Statisticians develop models of random phenomena that point the way to effective strategies for decision making in the face of uncertainty.
Actuaries provide financial evaluations of risk that help professionals in the insurance and finance industries, and many in large corporations and government agencies make strategic management decisions. Fellowship in the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (achieved by passing a series of examinations) is the most widely accepted standard of professional qualification to practice as an actuary. WPI's program enables students to take the first steps toward preparing for these exams and introduces these majors to the fundamentals of business and economics.
Last modified: July 24, 2006 10:43:45