Mathematics is essential to our daily transactions and applications. All through the years, dedicated mathematicians have made notable contributions to society, by solving problems in diverse fields, including medicine, economics, computer science, psychology, social science, management, physics and engineering.
Mathematicians And How They Fare
Those who adhere to the Pythagoras path, use a combination of computing techniques, computer technology, mathematical theories and algorithms to solve engineering, economic, business and physics problems. Many students pursue higher degrees in general mathematics to become full-fledged mathematicians and then go on to teach. However, these days applied math is becoming a subject of choice for most students. Those with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree have excellent employment opportunities in specific fields, involving research. Math majors, in applied and general mathematics do extremely well in their chosen careers.
According to a survey, in 2004, mathematicians were successfully employed in nearly 2,500 positions. In addition, over 20,000 mathematicians held faculty positions in universities and colleges.
Careers For The Math Savvy
Those who have a penchant for the subject can pursue careers in areas like engineering and construction, planning and surveying, research and development, pharmacology and medicine, finance and insurance and any related field of science. Mathematics is often a combination subject. It is taken up with another subject. A successful combination can result in the following options:
-If you are good at math and love geography, you can pursue a career in community development, transportation planning, code enforcement, economic development, natural resources, historic preservation, urban design, parks and recreation and housing.
-If you specialize in math and biology, you can be a microbiologist, physiologist, marine biologist, medical practitioner, zoologist, botanist, ecologist and biotechnologist.
-If math and biology are your chosen subjects, you can pursue a career as a hydrologist, sedimentologist, glacial geologist, volcanologist, paleomagnetist, petroleum geologist, environmental scientist, engineering geologist, paleontologist, geochemist, geomagnetist and seismologist.
-If you have excellent math abilities and also enjoy computer science, then you can probably pursue a career as a network systems analyst, computer scientist, computer programmer, database administrator, telecommunications specialist, software engineer or a programmer analyst.
-When you combine math with art, you can be a part of an exciting profession, like a commercial and industrial designer, landscape architect, archivist, architect, graphic designer, drafter and interior designer.
-Mixing math with business gives you interesting professions such as estimator, broker, financial analyst, ratings analyst, actuary, statistician, accountant and auditor, financial advisor and financial planner to consider.
Many mathematicians work for state governments, insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturing, software publishers and aerospace.
By and large, mathematics affects most of what we do in life. It is the foundation for most other subjects and it is fascinating in its own realm. With the consistent technological advancements, applications and career opportunities in mathematics are expanding.
There are several colleges online that offer undergraduate and advanced degree programs in science and math. At these schools, you can earn a degree relatively quickly as long as you make a commitment to your course of study and apply yourself when doing the work.
Online courses are convenient and flexible. These colleges let you complete your studies online during evening hours or at any other time in the comfort of your own home. You can attend your classes on weekends or late at night as you work toward your degree. The colleges may also offer tutorial programs or let you consult with mentors if you are having trouble with the work.
Ellis College offers online degrees in science and math. Its degrees are designed for each individual student. Financial assistance is provided, as well as tuition repayment plans. The school offers the tools of the New York Institute of Technology to help its students.
Ashford University also offers online degrees in science and math. The school was founded in the early 1900s and has served students well to this day. One of its advantages is that students can move toward a Liberal Arts degree. It is designed to help individuals who have not completed their degrees elsewhere. The school says it has the lowest fees of any college on the Internet and offers a flex-pay plan. Students can earn degrees at their own pace. Unlike traditional schools, it offers its services 24 hours per day and will help you manage classes while working at your regular job.
Ashford University offers a Master's degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management, and a Master's degree in the Arts of Teaching. There is financial assistance available, including Stafford loans, Federal Plus, and federal Pell grants. Keep the Pell Grant aid in mind because many online schools do not offer this type of aid.
Pell Grants are designed for low-income students. Those who qualify can use the grants to attend school without paying monthly fees because the grant is issued by the federal government. Universities rarely offer help with the federal Pell Grants, but if you are struggling with finances, these grants provide good resources.
There are many issues to consider when thinking about getting a degree online. The schools online are helpful in getting students some type of financial aid, including scholarships and grants. When applying at an online school, look for institutions that will provide assistance through Pell Grants and/or scholarships. Most schools will help applicants go through the loan application process. Make sure you consider all the aspects of your education when considering an online college, including the kind of degree you want, the school's history, financial aid, and grants. You want to choose a school that will let you get the most out of an online degree.
“We have to move on class.” Has your child ever been told this by their teacher?
Math for some students, just seems to fly right over their heads. Has your child ever stated “I am really trying to listen to my teacher, but I don’t understand anything he or she is writing on the board ” When you find this is the case for your child, in order to help, what’s key is taking one concept at a time, just one, because chances are your child is feeling overwhelmed by the whole idea of math. Upon taking that one concept the two of you are working on, you may need to cut way back on your explanation in helping your child to understand.
When working with students, I discovered some of them were afraid to show they didn't know a particular concept, because as far as they were concerned, they were supposed to understand, yet they didn’t. I had to help them see, it was safe to let me know this. The manner in which I worked with them was one of warmth, never of ridicule or surprise if the child did not understand. If the environment felt unsafe to a child, they shut right off. When I exhibited support, immediately I would experience relief in my student and subsequently a willingness on the student’s part to ‘give it a go’.
In my 5th grade classes I found routinely, some of the kids did not know what a fraction was and therefore were unable to move forward into adding, understanding equivalent fractions, changing mixed numbers to improper fractions and the reverse. In fact when I began teaching 5th grade, I had to relearn concepts. I also realized parents sometimes needed to do the same. What I did routinely was cut back for the students. I could never assume they understood a concept at some pre-decided level. I regularly started from square A. For instance with fractions, I would show them how a fraction worked. I would draw a circle and divide it into 3 parts, shade in the 1 to show just what 1/3 meant. I would spend perhaps two days having them practice strictly drawing fractions; 2/5, 3/10 etc.
Finding your child’s level of entry needs to be done with every new concept you and your child take on. The amount you need to cut back can vary significantly one concept to the next. Your child may be great at determining area, but may be having it rough with angles. Take it a step at a time. This is how the math concept as a whole will be mastered, one step at a time. Once your child has moved up the line, then they will be able to calculate the multi-step problems that go hand in hand with math.
At homework time or whenever you are working with your child, let your child know, you are there to help him or her get it, and that you will work with them to ensure that happens. Set a clear goal of just how much work your child will need to accomplish. Once your child understands the steps of how to do a particular type of problem, cut them loose on their own. Then check a problem periodically to see how they are coming along. If wrong answers are appearing, many times with multiple step problems, they may be calculating incorrectly only one of the steps. If this is the case, help your child see that Hey, it's only this one step of five, so that's not so bad Once you handle the missed step, all should sail smoothly from there Then rejoice with a cookie and a “Good going ” to your child.
So again, find your child’s true level of entry on a concept. Let them know it’s ok if they do not understand something. Work the concept, one step at a time. Set up expectations. If your child is doing multi-step problems and getting them wrong, check to see if it’s perhaps just one step they are confused on. And . . . . . don’t forget to rejoice with a “Good going.” Very important, that last step.
Author: Elizabeth Saas
Conquer Math Phobia Now
If you are afraid of math, tell yourself that by the end of this semester you won't be anymore. Math phobia is a widespread epidemic in our country, so if you suffer from it, you're not alone. However, if you need to take a math class, you can do well — even if you have historically feared math. The first step towards doing well in math is to tell yourself that you can. Follow the tips below for studying, and eventually, you'll begin to believe it.
To Do Well in Your Math Class, Go To Your Math Class
Just because you can cut class in college doesn't mean that you should. Especially in math. Math is a subject that draws heavily on your visual learning abilities. You need to be able to watch the professor work out equations on the board. And if you're not there, you can't do that. Attending class is a great first step, but it's not enough. Take notes on what the professor says and does, and when you get confused, put your hand up in the air and ask a question. You might be the only one with your hand up, but you're not the only one with your question.
Attend Section As Well — Make Your TA Your New Best Friend
Most math courses are taught in large lecture formats that meet a couple of times a week. If your math class is like this, then you will also have section a couple of times a week — a smaller group meeting of students led by a TA, or teaching assistant to your class's professor. If you are bashful about asking questions in the large crowd that is your lecture, you will feel more comfortable asking them here. You should not miss section because it offers a great opportunity for more personalized attention.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Before you get to section, you should do your best with the assignments that you have. If you run into problems with your problems, you can ask your TA about them. You should also review your notes from class and make sure that you understand everything that happened. Math is a discipline that builds on itself. You need to make sure you can master every step along the way so that you'll be able to tackle the next ones as well.
Source: articlesbase.com