Department of Mathematical Sciences of DePaul University

DePaul University - Department of Mathematical Sciences

Overview of Undergraduate Programs

Description of Concentrations:

Pure Mathematics
Provides a broad mathematical exposure for students who are interested in studying and/or doing mathematics research in graduate school.
Mathematical Computer Studies
Prepares students for employment in government or industry and for graduate study in mathematics and/or computer science.
Teacher of Secondary Level Mathematics:
Offers students a very good fundamental understanding of mathematics that is essential for employment in industry as well as in high school teaching.
Actuarial Science, Quantitative Analysis/Operations Research , and Statistics:
Each of these three concentrations can lead either to a baccalaureate degree or to a dual Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Applied Mathematics degree.

Career Possibilities:

Careers that employ mathematicians are numerous. Those who receive the baccalaureate degree in pure mathematics are highly prized for their problem-solving skills and are capable of finding employment in a wide variety of occupations including computer programming and data analysis. The need for good elementary, junior high school and high school mathematics teachers is acute in many communities. All mathematics concentrations provide easy access to employment in education. Actuarial Science Quantitative Research Statistics can be very fulfilling and provide mathematical professionals with excellent compensation. Actuaries assess risk and plan risk management for insurance companies, pension consulting firms, and government; they also help shape corporate and government policies. An actuarial career provides opportunities for virtually limitless upward and/or transverse mobility in the corporate and business world. Specialists in operations research are employed in numerous positions in finance, computer applications, and production scheduling and forecasting. Statisticians are employed by government, industry, marketing research companies, and consulting firms to design surveys and experiments and to generate and analyze statistical data. All these mathematical professionals make valuable contributions to society.

Many companies offer internships and/or student employment on a competitive basis through their personnel departments.

Placement of our department's graduates has been strong in Secondary Teaching, Statistics and Actuarial Sciences. Companies and firms that have hired and recruited our graduates include:

Abbott Laboratories, Allstate Casualty, Allstate Life Insurance, Amoco, Andersen Consulting, Baxter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Bureau of the Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNA COs, Coopers and Lybrand, Fort Dearborn Insurance Co., Hewitt Associates, IBM, Kemper Financial Services, Navistar, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Price Waterhouse, Reuters, Sprint Telecommunications, State Farm Insurance Co., The State of Illinois, and William Mercer Company.

Many of our graduates have continued their educational careers receiving master's degrees and doctorates from the nation's leading graduate and professional schools. This is not surprising given the University's policy of hiring and retaining faculty committed to both instruction and research. The bottom line is that DePaul University's Department of Mathematical Sciences provides students with a solid mathematical foundation for quantitative or analytical careers.