|
Why
Mathematics/Economics? Career
Opportunities Mathematics/Economics
Major at IUP
|
The
Questions....
I
love the challenge of math, but I care
deeply about social issues as well. Is
there a field that combines both?
Math
excites me, but I want to apply it to
"real" problems. What should
I choose as a college major?
The
Answer....
A
mathematics/economics major at Indiana
University of Pennsylvania! |
Why
Mathematics/Economics?
If
Congress chops $150 billion of government
spending to balance the budget, will the economy
boom? Or, will the spending cuts force firms to
lay off workers and send us into a recession?
If
Nike boosts shoe prices by 5 percent, will
consumers run to Reebok? How many? Will Nike
profits rise or fall?
What
is the most cost-effective way of cleaning the
environment? Must a guarantee of basic medical
care for all citizens break the bank? Do harsher
prison sentences deter criminal activity?
If
Pizza Hut wants to grab more business, should it
open new restaurants? Expand its menu? Lower
prices?
Answers
to such questions require solid grounding in
both economics and mathematics. Economists model
the way people behave: the way we respond to
financial and non-financial incentives. Economic
theories frame the issues, but mathematics
provides the tools. Which economic theories
work? We need data and statistical tools to tell
us. Which policy options are the best? We need
mathematical tools to measure costs and
benefits.
Career
Opportunities
Students
with a joint background in mathematics and
economics face a wide variety of career options.
Many pursue graduate degrees in fields such as
economics, operations research, public policy,
law and business. They find a strong demand for
their services in such diverse areas as finance,
business research, education, management, and
public policy analysis.
|
"Economics
and mathematics are like automobiles
and gasoline. Separately, it's tough to
see what
they can do. But, put them together, and
you can
really go places!"
-Dr. Robert Toutkoushian
(IUP Class of 1984) Executive Director
of Policy
Analysis, University System of New
Hampshire
"A math/econ degree is a perfect
start for a career
in business planning or public policy
analysis."
-Dr. George Chressanthis
(IUP Class of 1977) Senior Economic
Analyst, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
|
The
Mathematics/Economics Major at IUP
IUP
is one of the few Pennsylvania schools offering
a bachelor's degree in mathematics/economics.
Students take introductory courses in both
disciplines and choose from a variety of
upper-level mathematics and economics electives.
Liberal Studies core courses are required of all
IUP students, and a range of free electives
complete the joint curriculum
Internships
and independent study option are also available.
Both
departments offer a student-centered environment
and a tradition of excellent instruction.
Classes are small and are taught by faculty
members, never graduate students. Introductory
classes average from thirty to forty-five
students. Most upper-level classes range from
ten to twenty-five students.
|
Interested?
For
more information about our departments,
our faculty, program
requirements, and what we offer, visit our web pages at http://www.chss.iup.edu/economics/
and http://www.ma.iup.edu.
You can also contact Dr.
Stephanie Jozefowicz by email at smjozef@iup.edu
or at Department of Economics, IUP,
Indiana, PA 15705, (724) 357-2640.
Phone calls,
letters, and personal visits are
welcomed!
|
|
