College Life

Private Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Princeton University
• Harvard University
• University of Chicago
• New York University
• Columbia University

State Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• University of California—Berkeley
• University of California—Los Angeles
• University of Michigan
• University of Texas—Austin
• University of Wisconsin—Madison

Classes in the Major

Pure Mathematics. If you liked geometry in high school, then you're in for a treat. A nerd-tastic math treat. Pure mathematics is completely unadulterated number work. It's hard to explain, but it's kind of like experimenting with Legos and seeing all the different types of buildings or cool figures you can make, but without having the objective of constructing an actual town. Geometry is just one type of pure mathematics. In a pure mathematics course, you'll be introduced to all of its friends: number theory, integers, algebra, and automorphic forms.

Geometry. Like all pure mathematics, geometry studies abstract concepts. It asks you to think about how space and objects work together, or what binary operations are used in a formula. It's not all that interested in the outside world. Pretty self-centered huh? Oh well, these types of math are used in everything from astronomy to engineering to physics, so I guess we can let their personality defects slide...

Applied Mathematics. This is where you apply the knowledge you've learned in your math classes to the fields of science, business, and engineering. No, really. That's where the applied comes from. Math isn't just about studying formulas. In these courses, you'll also learn about models used to analyze stuff in computer science and economics. Then, you'll figure out how different models can help you come up with new math theories. Math is a never-ending formula.

Statistics. If you go into any science, you'll need to know how to calculate probability. Theoretically, anything is possible, but what is the likelihood of each event taking place? What are the odds that as you're reading this sentence, you're also picking your nose? Hmm, well, it gets real fuzzy and abstract at this point, but there are some things we can calculate. For example, we know that the odds of rolling all sixes with three dice is one out of 216. A lot of people dread the thought of statistics, but it's super helpful when it comes to predicting outcomes.

Physics. Depending on whether you decide to study pure or applied mathematics, you might have to take a physics class. Now, we know what you might be thinking: "Hey, what the heck does math have to do with physics besides calculating formulas?" Well, Shmoopers, some people consider math to be the only source of truth in the universe. Deep. Pretty much everything can be explained with numbers. If you spill a bunch of Cheetos on the ground, there is a way to calculate exactly where each of the Cheetos will land. Crazy, huh? Physics, in a way, puts a face to all those numbers and fills in all the variables with observations, like how high the Cheetos bag is, how fast they're being poured, etc. Math is essentially the skeletal framework of everything in the universe.

Economics. This is where the rubber meets the road. You've already aced your intro to math and applied mathematics courses and now you've got to learn about economic theory. In these courses, you'll be asked to put your big-shot terminology like heterodox and neoclassical economics into practice. Don't worry, you'll pick up the lingo. Then, you'll sound even cooler than the kids throwing around their new jive these days. In these classes, you'll examine case studies and real-world scenarios where you get the opportunity to figure out the best solution to someone's financial problems using tried and true economic principles.