Who is a Mathematician?
The tasks assigned to mathematicians are as diverse as the companies that employ them. They are often assigned to serve as mathematical consultants within teams of other specialists (engineers, accountants, sociologists, to name a few) and they are often part of a scientific team. Due to their exposure to diverse areas of mathematics (calculus and non-calculus based analysis, numerical analysis, statistics, operations research), they may perform the function of researching and guiding a project group to and through a certain method of analysis. The increased use of computers has greatly influenced the role of a mathematician. They may perform the function of preparing a problem to obtain a solution on computing devices. In many instances this may mean programming on the computer. In other cases the mathematician may never actually see the computer.
In short, mathematicians are highly skilled professionals who can apply their knowledge of mathematics to a wide range of fields. They are often involved in research, problem-solving, and data analysis.
Xavier University's Mathematics Department offers varied options in coursework and major areas of study which are designed to give the student a sound foundation in the Mathematical Sciences. Successfully completing one of the programs will prepare the student for graduate school or to enter a variety of careers, including actuarial science, banking, engineering, medicine, law, and teaching, among many others. Several opportunities exist for financial aid and scholarships.
