Most cryptologists have a graduate degree. Operations Researcher Operations research is the application of mathematics to decision making. Mathematicians working in this area analyze large, complex systems in human organizations, often with the aid of computer programs. They solve problems in energy management, finance, crime, the environment, city planning, manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, health, and a host of other fields. Operations researchers often have a Master's degree.
Numerical analysis involoves designing and testing computer algorithms which give accurate results.
Many numerical analysts also use computer programs to model various situations which cannot be explored directly. For example, discovering how computer and other electronic devices will work in space is too expensive to test in space, so a computer model may be used. Similarly, predicting both local weather and global climate change is done by computer simulation. Systems Analyst Systems analysts often work for computer and software companies or consulting firms. They work on a wide variety of problems such as product design and testing, scheduling, communications, and restructuring of troubled companies.