In addition, the department provides service courses for students majoring in other fields. If you are considering mathematics as a career, you should be able to concentrate for long periods of time and enjoy working independently with ideas and solving problems. Areas you may prepare for include mathematics of physical and life sciences, graduate studies, computer science, mathematics of social sciences, statistics and actuarial science, and secondary teaching. The Option in Applied Mathematics prepares students either to assume attractive and challenging positions in aerospace, electronics, or to pursue graduate work in pure or applied mathematics. The Option in Statistics provides a program balanced between theoretical and applied statistics.
Students are especially well prepared to pursue a graduate degree.
Statisticians find many carreer opportunities in cutting-edge research in such fields as medicine, pharmaceuticals, business, quality control, and the social sciences. The Single Subject Credential in Mathematics provides students with the necessary background for obtaining a California Secondary Teaching Credential in mathematics. A fifth year of education courses and student teaching is needed to complete the credential requirements. The faculty have strong preparation in many fields of mathematics plus a commitment to excellence in teaching. Students have the opportunity to participate in these challenging programs.