Bachelor of Arts in Applied Mathematics

Program Overview

The University of Providence’s Bachelor of Arts in Applied Mathematics degree program allows students the ability to dive into the mathematical tools and reasoning to solve significant problems across various industries.

The applied math major serves as preparation for graduate study in mathematics, statistics, data science / analytics, operations research, or actuarial science, to name a few.

The applied mathematics major at the University of Providence is designed to guide motivated students step-by-step through the process of building a deep and broad foundation of core knowledge and skills in mathematics, statistics, and computer science to enable the student to create, implement, evaluate, and communicate complex mathematical models in a wide range of scholarly and industrial applications.

All courses for the applied math major are available both in-person at the Great Falls campus and online through Moodle Collaborate, with the exception of laboratory science course electives.

B.A. in Applied Mathematics Program Highlights

Universally Transferable Skills – Our carefully selected base curriculum in calculus, computer programming, matrix theory, and probability/statistics will provide you with a strong and well-rounded foundation in precisely those areas of math that have become universal and indispensable in all the major fields that utilize high-level quantitative or pattern-based reasoning.

Customizable – In the Applied Mathematics major, you can choose electives to prepare yourself for a diverse range of career paths including academia, pre-engineering, bioinformatics, statistical consulting, operations research, actuarial science, or data science.  Or, you can choose the Quantitative Business concentration that is specifically designed to provide an entry-level skillset for business analytics or a competitive edge going into an MBA program.

Balance of Concept and Computation – Mathematical reasoning happens between your ears, not on a page or in a computer.  Even the most powerful computers and algorithms will yield results that are useless or outright harmful if not carefully directed and interpreted by a human with the proper intuition.  In the UP Applied Mathematics major, we balance our classroom approach to ensure your own gray-matter gets the necessary and effectively apply modern computational tools.

On-campus or Online – Our math and computer science courses are designed with an option to be completed asynchronously online for busy working professionals, but on-campus students will be able to benefit from close face-to-face interaction with faculty in a traditional live classroom setting.

Faculty Want to Help – You will get to know your teachers in a supportive, small-class environment, and they will likewise get to know you.  They will be accessible to you in and out of the classroom.  We abide by a spirit of “no soldier left behind” – if you are willing to put in the effort, we will do whatever we can to help you achieve success in the classroom and beyond.

Distinctive Applied Math Courses – Game Theory is a dominant and rapidly-developing field within modern economics, business and military/geopolitical strategy, and our course also introduces the broader field of rational decision-making.  Our first semester in Mathematical Statistics includes preparation for the Society of Actuaries “Exam P”, and our course in Financial Mathematics includes preparation for the Society of Actuaries “Exam FM”.

Applied Mathematics Major Concentrations

Applied Mathematics Concentration

For students interested in scientific research, statistical consulting, and/or financial engineering, this concentration explores a broad range of STEM-related graduate and career specializations.

Quantitative Business Concentration

This concentration serves as preparation for quantitatively rigorous MBA or Business PHD programs, or business analytics programs. This concentration is ideal for students interested in a pathway towards an actuarial or related career. Within this concentration, students will take two courses in preparation for the actuarial exam.

This concentration will utilize interdisciplinary strengths from economics, business administration, computer science, mathematics, and statistics.

Minors

• Mathematical Analysis –The heart and soul of this minor consists of the uncontested, time-honored, complete sequence of undergraduate calculus: progressing from a single variable into our three-dimensional world and culminating with differential equations – the universal language of modeling physical, chemical, biological, ecological, and economic processes that involve continuously changing quantities.  You will round out and tailor-finish your universally applicable calculus foundation with two electives of your choice, with options ranging from probability to matrix theory, or computer programming to game theory.
• Statistics -The statistics minor is intended to serve as a foundation and a springboard to a higher level of confidence and capability for students who anticipate careers or graduate study that involves conducting research or using research literature to make decisions in natural or social sciences, or in medical, business, or sports analytics.  You will gain the necessary background skills in logic, set theory, and calculus to achieve a mature understanding and mastery of probability theory.  That will in turn serve to give you a much deeper-than-average understanding and robust working ability with applied statistical methods covered in our survey methods course.  Statistical research methods play an especially important role in biology, psychology, and exercise science, but may be of interest to students in diverse fields such as criminal justice, education, or business administration.
• Business and Finance – A streamlined collection of college math coursework designed primarily to give students in business administration or related programs a competitive edge in the job market or in MBA programs.  You will gain a solid foundation in calculus and statistical methods before taking a deeper dive into the mathematical theory of interest.  Called by J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller “the 8^th wonder of the world”, the logic of compounded interest is foundational to insurance, real-estate, and finance, and it is a primary driver of all sectors of the modern economy.  Whether you have an ambition to work in high-finance or insurance, or whether you just want a stronger mastery of the underpinnings of loans and retirement planning for running a small business, this minor should serve you well.  Outside of the business administration major, this minor might appeal to any students who have entrepreneurial ambitions or an interest in personal investing.

Skills You’ll Learn

The business world is increasingly data-driven, and there is a very distinct need for individuals with the skills that are necessary to make sense of that data. These are precisely the skill provided to students through the applied mathematics program.

Applied mathematics majors at the University of Providence will learn these skills and more:

• Mastery of basic set theory and mathematical logic – the common foundation for all types of deductive and inductive reasoning.
• Basic proficiency in computer programming.
• Vector calculus and differential equations – the language of physics, chemistry, economics, mechanical and electrical engineering, and control systems.
• Probability and Statistics – the science of chance occurrences and effective methods to extract useful information from noisy real-world data.
• Linear Algebra/ Matrix Theory – indispensable perspectives and tools for high-end statistics, data science, computer graphics, or engineering math.
• Machine learning – design and application of supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms for prediction and classification of especially large or ill-characterized data, including regression and logistic regression, neural networks, and clustering.
• Software – Octave/Matlab, Geogebra, Python, R, LaTeX, and Sage.
• Synthesis of all the skills listed above: the ability to create, implement, evaluate, visualize, and present mathematical models.
• In the Quantitative Business concentration: essential topics in management, legal, accounting, and advertising for general business administration.

Careers with a Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics

An increasing number of professions need the skills of individuals with the ability to apply the tools of mathematics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the areas in which advanced quantitative skills, such as those implicit in an applied mathematics program include:

• Logisticians
• Operations Research Analysts
• Statisticians
• Actuaries
• Data Scientists and Analysts
• Epidemiologists
• Programmers for numerically controlled devices
• Software Engineers
• Computational Analysts
• Data Engineers
• Data visualization specialist

Writers from business-oriented journals have identified the fact that the best jobs have a significant mathematical component to them. Among the places where individuals with strong quantitative preparation can expect employment include:

• Airlines
• Other transportation companies
• Governmental Agencies
• Marketing research firms
• Insurance Companies

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and related sources, the wages for people in these fields is typically very strong.  Typical entry level wages start at more than $80,000 with mid-level specialists commanding amounts in excess of $100,000 per year.

Application and Admission Requirements

• Program Application: Complete an online undergraduate application.
• Official Transcripts: Official high school transcripts may be sent directly from your high school to University of Providence | Admissions | 1301 20th Street South | Great Falls, MT 59405. They may also be submitted electronically. Include transcripts from any dual enrollment or other pre-college programs attended and results of any AP tests taken.
• Testing Scores: Official ACT or SAT score reports should be sent if your score with test date is not recorded on your transcript. Our ACT code is 2410, SAT is 4058. Though strongly recommended, providing official test scores is not required. If you have taken either test, it is best to have your scores sent to the University of Providence.