Program Description
If you are analytical and a problem-solver, mathematics may be right for you. Mathematics is a field that can lead to a variety of careers including mathematician, statistician, engineer, data analyst, actuary, programmer, and more.
Associate Degree Programs in Mathematics
Data Science (Associate of Science)
The Data Science program offers students an introduction to the field of data science, including the processing, manipulation, analysis, interpretation, and ethical use of data. Specifically, this program focuses on the mathematical and computer science-related aspects of the field. Students will be positioned to transfer to a four-year program or entry-level positions in the industry.
Required Courses & Learning Outcomes
Refer to the college catalog for a list of required courses and learning outcomes for the Data Science degree program.
Mathematics (Associate of Science)
The Associate of Science Mathematics prepares students to transfer to a four-year institution for continued study in mathematics, and/or mathematics education. As technology increases, the level of mathematics in the job market also increases. A two-year degree in mathematics gives students analytical skills that are valued in industry. A four-year degree in mathematics opens doors in many areas not traditionally thought of as mathematical. Business, industry, and government hire people who earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics to provide support services involving analysis modeling or scientific computing. The computer literacy requirement will be met throughout the course work in the degree program.
Required Courses & Learning Outcomes
See a list of required courses and learning outcomes for this program in the college catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a good job if I major in mathematics?
Absolutely! The job of “mathematician” repeatedly ranks high in “best jobs” lists in terms of salary, growth potential, and job satisfaction. Typically the majority of the top jobs involve significant amount of mathematics.
What careers are available to me if I major in mathematics?
A degree in mathematics can lead to a variety of careers: mathematician, software engineer, data analyst, actuarial scientist, financial analyst, research analyst, and more.
Will a mathematics degree help me if I want a job in business or finance? What if I want to become a lawyer?
If you're interested in business, a math major supplemented with some business courses may be a better for you than a business major. Running a company is really about problem solving. And that's something you can learn in your undergraduate studies, due to the inherent intellectual curiosity around math and physics.
If you're interested in a job in Finance, you may be interested to know that Wall Street has become a major employer of math majors. Mathematics is used on Wall Street for mortgage banking, financial derivatives, and stock market analysis.
In addition, the proliferation of statistics in everything ranging from business, public health or government, has many organizations seeking math majors. Statisticians often seek to predict the patterns of behavior of large groups based on relatively small samples, and probability theory provides the theoretical foundation for statistics. One business with an extreme interest in statistics is insurance. Actuaries are highly paid professionals that serve as specialist statisticians and consultants responsible for computing insurance rates.
If you're interested in being a lawyer, the critical thinking skills and training in logic that are ubiquitous in all math classes will help you prepare for law school. The proofs one does in mathematics classes are arguments used to convince someone that a theorem or mathematical statement is true. This is not all that different from creating logical arguments to convince a judge or jury to rule in your favor.
Admissions & Advising
Cecil College is an open enrollment institution. Get more information, find out how to apply, or meet with an advisor.
Transfer
Whether transferring coursework to Cecil College or transferring your completed degree or certificate to a four-year institution, transfer is a viable option to help meet your educational goals.
Recent undergraduate students have attended a variety of institutions including, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), University of Maryland, Towson University, Frostburg University, and University of Delaware.
Transfer information for Maryland colleges and universities is available through the Articulation System of Maryland (ARTSYS) website at www.artsys.usmd.edu. Additional transfer information can be found on the Transfer Agreements page.
Faculty
Full-time Faculty
Dr. Chris Castillo
Associate Professor of Mathematics, Department Chair
Ph.D., University of Delaware
ccastillo@nullcecil.edu
Brandie Biddy
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
M.S., Johns Hopkins University
bbiddy@nullcecil.edu
Dr. John Climent
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., University of Delaware
jcliment@nullcecil.edu
Allan Drach
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
M.A., Villanova University
adrach@nullcecil.edu
Dr. Anne E. Edlin
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D. Temple University
aedlin@nullcecil.edu
Elizabeth Leavy
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
M.A.S., Rutgers University
eleavy@nullcecil.edu
Kimberly Sheppard
Professor of Mathematics
M.S., Clemson University
ksheppard@nullcecil.edu
Adjunct Faculty
Cecil College's adjunct mathematics faculty are highly credentialed in their discipline and have years of professional experience.