A major in mathematics will prepare you for a variety of professional careers or graduate school by helping you develop strong analytical and quantitative skills.
The program offers two concentrations—mathematics and applied mathematics—giving you the option of pursuing a wide range of career and graduate-study paths.
What It’s Like to Major in Mathematics at Ball State
Our programs are designed to give you the flexibility to focus on topics and specialties that interest you most. To sample the high-level work that Ball State students are producing, explore our undergraduate research journal, Mathematics Exchange.
In the mathematical sciences, all of the courses that our majors take have small class sizes. This allows faculty members to get to know students and be available for questions, mentoring, and the one-on-one attention that you need to excel.
Major Requirements
As a mathematics major, you’ll choose one of two concentrations to complete along with our University Core Curriculum.
Mathematics (57-58 credits) — With a focus on a wide range of mathematical topics, the mathematics concentration provides you with flexible career opportunities in a variety of areas such as market analyst, cryptographer, or certified financial analyst as well as options for graduate and professional study.
Applied Mathematics (58 credits) — If you are interested in more emphasis on the application of mathematics to solve real-world challenges, an option in applied mathematics is great preparation for a career in industry, for the government, or at research laboratories. This major will also prepare you for graduate school in areas such as applied mathematics, statistics, physics, or engineering.
For a complete list of all courses and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
What Can You Do with a Degree in Mathematics?
A degree in mathematics prepares you for a wide range of career and graduate-study paths.
Graduates who directly enter career paths find work in:
- business
- government
- engineering
- statistics
- physics
- manufacturing
In addition, a degree in mathematics prepares you for graduate studies in mathematics-related disciplines, law, medicine, and more.
Some of the careers our students pursue after graduate study include:
Student Testimonials
Hear from some of our current and former students about their experiences in the program.
Alumnus Keeps Astronauts Safe
Adam Mullins applies analytical skills he gained as a math major and computer minor to calculating risks for NASA’s $150 billion International Space Station.
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UIndy is home for 2018 BSU Grad, Casey Noll
Casey is an instructor of mathematics at the University of Indianapolis and doing what they love. Casey's passion for teaching began as an assistant in the Department's Emporium and Casey is grateful to Dr. Dan Rutherford for his impact on their decision to teach.
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Career in Department of Homeland Security
Alumnus Chris Jackson works as an operations research systems analyst in Air and Marine Operations, which is a law enforcement agency in the Department of Homeland Security.
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From Student to Professor: Ellen Weld
Ellen Weld graduated from Ball State in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree. She then completed her doctorate at Purdue University. Ellen has recently joined the ranks of academia and is using her expertise to train the next generation of scholars and pursue research in her field.
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Students Optimize Cummins' Engines
Undergraduate math students partnered with Cummins Inc. to improve their engine performance by building a mathematical model to identify the moment of engine inefficiency within the ignition.
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A Fellow of the American Mathematical Society
Dr. Christopher Leininger has gone from Ball State undergrad to tenured Professor of Mathematics at Rice University, and recently was named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society
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Paying for Your Education
In addition to the dozens of scholarship options and financial aid offered through Ball State’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Department of Mathematical Sciences awards scholarships to our own students. Find a scholarship.
Apply to Ball State
Admission to Ball State is selective, and we carefully evaluate all applications on an individual basis. Applying is easy. Use our convenient, comprehensive, and secure online application.
Apply Now
Questions?
One of the best ways to understand why Ball State stands out is to come see it for yourself. You can schedule a visit through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Make sure to tell them you’re interested in our program. Or if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.