What is Applied Mathematics
What is Applied Mathematics - Applied Mathematics is a special branch of mathematics that involves the application of mathematical concepts in different fields, such as physics, engineering, computer science, medicine, etc. It goes beyond the theoretical foundations and attempts to solve real-world problems through a practical application of mathematical concepts. The study of applied mathematics, then, becomes one of the more crucial undertakings for a student looking to further his/her career in a number of fields, including mathematics itself.
As per the new UGC recommendation, applied mathematics is now considered at par with mathematics when calculating aggregate marks for admission to undergraduate courses for commerce and humanities. Because it was introduced by the CBSE to improve the practical mathematical skills of those that want to be a part of the social sciences, humanities, commerce, and other fields, the curriculum of applied mathematics is well aligned with multiple disciplines. As such, a spate of career options opens up for those who take up applied mathematics as a subject in class 11 and 12 and beyond. This article looks at the details for pursuing applied mathematics, the course curriculum, career options, skill sets required, and gives a general description of what is applied mathematics on the whole.
See also: UGC asks universities to consider applied mathematics introduced by CBSE for admission.
Eligibility Criteria (UG and PG) of Applied Mathematics
For Applied Mathematics Undergraduate Course
Passed 10+2 or equivalent with PCM.
A minimum of 50% in class 12 or equivalent (may vary depending on the university).
Sit for the university-specific entrance test.
For Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Course
Minimum of 50% marks in a bachelor’s degree with mathematics as a subject for at least 2 years.
Sit for entrance exams, such as CPGET, as prescribed by the university.
Entrance Exam for Applied Mathematics
Not all universities require aspirants to sit for entrance examinations for bachelor’s or master’s degrees in applied mathematics. In most cases, students only need to meet the eligibility criteria of the university and the course they’re applying for. Depending on the university, students may be required to sit for the following examinations:
JMI Entrance Exam- Conducted by the Jamia Millia Islamia University, JMIEE is required to get admission in applied mathematics undergraduate programmes offered by the university.
JEE Main- Some universities will require aspirants to sit for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main).
It is not necessary that the aforementioned entrance examinations will be required by every university for applied mathematics courses. Most universities will proceed with the admission process based on the scores in class 12. To know more regarding what is applied mathematics admission criteria for a college, refer to the admission guidelines for the college that you want to apply to.
Scope of Applied Mathematics in India and Abroad
Pursuing applied mathematics at the undergraduate and graduate levels has a wide career scope in India as well as abroad. Students can choose to take up applied mathematics in their postgraduate studies to specialize in research-oriented fields.
Knowing what is applied maths and its application in different areas of study will provide a bigger picture of what one can do with a degree in applied mathematics. Some of the career options that are available for those pursuing applied mathematics include a professorship, data analyst, statistical analyst, operations research analyst, financial analyst, data scientist, actuary, quantitative analyst.
Course Subjects
While pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, one will have to study a variety of subjects. Some of these are as follows:
For Applied Mathematics Undergraduate Degree:
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Commerce
- Computer Science
- Differential Equation and Geometry
- Discrete Mathematics
- Linear Programming and Theory of Games
- Number Theory
- Statistics
The undergraduate degree will also include subjects from various fields of BA, B.Com, and other related subjects.
For Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Degree:
- Linear Algebra and Programming
- Functional Analysis
- Non-Linear Programming
- Fluid and Classical Mechanics
- Numerical Analysis
- Dynamical Systems
See also: Online Mathematics and Computing courses and certifications
Careers in Applied Mathematics
Because of the pervasive nature of mathematics, once one understands what is pure and applied mathematics, it opens up a variety of career opportunities for individuals. These include, but are not limited to, research careers in engineering, statistics, computer science and social sciences, as well as actuarial sciences, mathematical modelling, finance, and cryptography.
Knowing what is pure and applied mathematics and the difference between them is not something that many people are aware of. To remedy this, graduates can also give back to the community by becoming teachers of which there’s always been a dire need in our society.
See also: Top 10 career options after B.Sc. Mathematics
Upcoming trends
Lately, because more and more people have started understanding what is applied maths and the industries have begun integrating data-driven approaches of functioning, there’s been an uptick in the career opportunities for applied mathematics graduates. As such, an increasing number of universities have started offering courses in applied mathematics.
With a growing trend in the field of applied mathematics, further integration with other fields is expected to take place in the years to come coupled with an increasing number of universities offering courses for the same.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Applied Mathematics Job Profiles
Some of the job profiles for applied mathematics include the following:
Job Profile | Job Description |
Mathematician | Mathematicians take up research-based projects in institutions and work to find solutions to mathematical problems. Knowing what is computational mathematics is a big plus. |
The job of a statistician requires one to gather data, interpret it and draw conclusions. They also use learned strategies to improve the services offered by different companies and organizations. | |
Actuaries are responsible for using the fundamentals of mathematics, particularly statistics, to assess business and financial risks, working predominantly with insurance companies. | |
Cryptographer | Cryptographers work to secure information technology systems and computers by creating algorithms and encryptions. They are also required to decode encrypted systems and decipher algorithms. |
Finance Manager | Financial Managers are responsible for investigating financial reports, monitoring data, forecasting, and analyzing markets to improve profitability. |
Professor | Maths professors teach in schools and colleges to impart an understanding of applied mathematics and its use in a variety of fields. |
Business analysts interpret the workings of a company, research and analyze data to help the company solve business problems and become more profitable. |
Top recruiters in the field of Applied Mathematics
- IIT Delhi
- BITS Pilani
- Edudrive Education Service
- Good Solutions
- ISI Kolkata
- Ernst & Young
- Wipro Technologies Inc.
- McKinsey and Company
Average Salary
The salary of applied mathematicians varies depending on their skills, expertise, and the company they an individual works for. Here is the average salary for the different job profiles:
Job Profile | Income per Annum |
Mathematician | Rs. 7 to 9 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Statistician | Rs. 5 to 7 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Actuary | Rs. 7 to 9 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Cryptographer | Rs. 6 to 8 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Financial Manager | Rs. 7 to 9 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Professor | Rs. 5 to 7 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Business Analyst | Rs. 5 to 7 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for Applied Mathematics
There are a variety of skills required for those who want to pursue a course in applied mathematics and a career as an expert in this field. Analytical, problem-solving skills, communication, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and the ability to manipulate ideas and derive conclusions based on data are some of the skills necessary for those pursuing courses and careers in applied mathematics.
Depending on the field of work, these individuals will need to have what it takes to work independently as well as in teams, be forward-thinking, have good time management skills, and be confident in their analysis. All these skills are necessary to understand what is applied mathematics in general and opt for careers in different fields.
Course Curriculum for Applied Mathematics
The course curriculum for applied mathematics introduces students to the basic mathematical techniques for solving problems in different fields. Furthermore, students learn the foundational concepts necessary to understanding how to go about coming up with such solutions, including an in-depth study of probability and statistics, mathematical modelling, abstract algebra, discrete mathematics, programming, etc. All these things combined provide a holistic idea of what is applied maths on the whole.
See also:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Depending on the organization and the field they’re a part of, applied mathematicians can use their understanding of mathematics to research, analyze information, encrypt data-sensitive systems and decode encryptions, provide financial forecasting, and develop or improve the existing business models.
Knowing what is pure and applied mathematics and the difference between them is crucial before opting for either one. Where pure mathematics deals with problems related to mathematics itself, applied mathematics used mathematical concepts to solve problems in different fields such as physics, economics, biology, etc.
Applied mathematics courses include the study of the core concepts such as statistics, algebra, mathematical modelling, probability, as well as knowing what is computational mathematics.
To know what is applied mathematics is to know the mathematical processes involved in finding solutions to problems in different fields.
The study of applied mathematics can be difficult if you don’t have the relevant skills. However, if you have an affinity for mathematics and solving real-world problems with it, pursuing applied mathematics can be a highly rewarding endeavour.