Applied Mathematics
What this major studies in college, how to prepare in high school where a source says so, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Much of applied mathematics is intimately tied to computing. [1]
The technical skills it describes include math skills: broad training in the core of mathematics and, in addition, statistics, mathematical modeling and numerical simulation. [1]
Mathematical careers in business, industry and government continue to evolve and diversify. [2]
Typical college courses
The CUPM Curriculum Guide of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) includes reports on applied mathematics, mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, differential equations and operations research. [3]
The B.S. requires Introduction to Mathematical Modeling and Probability, among other courses. [4]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the Wake Forest University bachelor of science in applied mathematics, 2026–2027 bulletin. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: Wake Forest bulletin) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Algebra I (or Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations) | One of the choices in this example programWake Forest University's B.S. in applied mathematics requires Linear Algebra I or Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. [4] | Linear Algebra I (MTH 121) covers vectors and matrices, linear transformations, when a matrix can be inverted, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and orthogonal projections. [5] | No prerequisite is listed for it, and credit is not allowed for both MTH 121 and MTH 205. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Vectors: components and operations · Dot product and applications · Matrices and matrix operations · Determinants, inverses and systems · Matrices as transformations · Systems of three equations | |||
| Ordinary Differential Equations (or Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations) | One of the choices in this example programThe B.S. requires Ordinary Differential Equations or Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. [4] | Ordinary Differential Equations (MTH 251) covers linear equations with constant and with variable coefficients, and theorems on when first-order equations have a solution and when it is unique. [5] | It comes after MTH 112, unless the prerequisite is overridden. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Differential equations and slope fields · Separation of variables and exponential models · Higher-order derivatives · Antiderivatives and indefinite integrals · Exponential functions and the number e | |||
| Introduction to Mathematical Modeling | Required in this example program[4] | Introduction to Mathematical Modeling (MTH 351) teaches how to model, analyze and simulate continuous processes with software such as MATLAB or Mathematica, with topics such as dimensional analysis, stability, bifurcation and phase plane analysis. [5] | It comes after MTH 121 and MTH 251, or MTH 205, unless the prerequisite is overridden. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Building functions to model situations · Fitting functions to data · Logistic growth · Exponential and logarithmic models · Separation of variables and exponential models | |||
| Introduction to Numerical Methods (or Numerical Linear Algebra) | One of the choices in this example programThe B.S. requires Numerical Linear Algebra or Introduction to Numerical Methods. [4] | Introduction to Numerical Methods (MTH 355) covers computing on modern computers, floating point arithmetic and round-off error, and computer methods for problems such as finding roots, approximation and integration. [5] | It comes after MTH 112 and one of MTH 121, MTH 205 or MTH 206, unless the prerequisite is overridden. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Limits from graphs and tables · Sequences and summation notation · Riemann sums and area · Linear approximation and L'Hôpital's rule · Algorithms and a first program | |||
| Probability | Required in this example program[4] | Probability (MTH 357) covers distributions of discrete and continuous random variables and sampling distributions, including much of the material for the first actuarial exam. [5] | It comes after MTH 112, unless the prerequisite is overridden. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Probability rules · Conditional probability and independence · Random variables and expected value · Binomial distributions · The normal model | |||
Typical high school preparation
- Students who are interested in becoming mathematicians or statisticians should take as many math courses as possible in high school. [6]
This is general advice from the cited source, not a rule for every college. Confirm each college’s own list.
Related majors
Each card opens that major’s page. Compare the courses before you choose, and confirm each college’s own list.
Mathematics
Penn State's bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in mathematics share a common core of mathematics courses, and both prepare students for graduate work in mathematics. [7]
Statistics
Penn State's statistics major helps prepare students interested in mathematics, computation and the quantitative side of science for careers in industry and government as statistical analysts, or for graduate training in statistics. [8]
Physics
Penn State's physics major provides a sound program of technical and general education for students planning a career in physics and related fields. [9]
Data Science
Data sciences is a field that develops, applies and checks methods, systems and tools for drawing useful knowledge, sound conclusions and actionable insights from large, complex and varied data. [10]
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Operations research analysts
Operations research analysts use mathematics and logic to help solve complex issues. [11]
Operations research analysts may need a degree in operations research or a related field, such as applied mathematics. [11]
The median annual wage for operations research analysts was $88,940 in May 2025. [11]
Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [11]
Operations research analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation, and some employers require or prefer a master's degree. [11]
Mathematicians and statisticians
Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems. [6]
Some mathematician and statistician positions are available to those with a bachelor's degree. [6]
The median annual wage for mathematicians was $126,710 in May 2025. [6]
Overall employment of mathematicians and statisticians is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [6]
Mathematicians and statisticians typically need at least a master's degree in mathematics or statistics. [6]
Questions people search
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Sources
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). SIAM Education Committee Report on Undergraduate Degree Programs in Applied Mathematics. https://www.siam.org/media/uhxkshs4/undergraduate_degree_programs_math.pdf. May 2014. Checked .
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). Careers in Applied Mathematics. https://www.siam.org/programs-initiatives/professional-development/career-resources/careers-in-applied-mathematics/. no edition stated. Checked .
- Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Curriculum Guide to Majors in the Mathematical Sciences (CUPM). https://maa.org/resource/cupm-guide/. developed in 2015 by the MAA Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics. Checked .
- Wake Forest University. B.S. in Applied Mathematics. https://bulletin.wfu.edu/undergraduate/departments-programs/mathematics/bs-applied-mathematics/. 2026–2027 Bulletin. Checked .
- Wake Forest University. Mathematics (department page with MTH course descriptions). https://bulletin.wfu.edu/undergraduate/departments-programs/mathematics/. 2026–2027 Bulletin (edition shown on the program page). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians and Statisticians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mathematics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/mathematics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Statistics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/statistics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Physics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/physics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Data Sciences, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/data-sciences-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Operations Research Analysts. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.