Many career paths in business, industry, and government depend on mathematical modeling and mathematical analysis. Rutgers offers five-year B.A./M.S. tracks that help to prepare students for entry into such careers. Tracks leading to master's degrees are available in fields such as economics, mathematical finance, industrial and systems engineering, operations research, and statistics. There is also a five-year, dual-degree track with the Graduate School of Education (see the catalog section Preparation for Secondary School Teaching). With proper planning, students in these tracks can finish a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and a master's degree from one of these fields within five years.
The various tracks differ in details and requirements, but share the following common features. Undergraduate math majors apply for entry into a five-year track before their senior year. Accepted applicants are admitted to the master's program contingent upon successful completion of their undergraduate mathematics degree, plus additional coursework in their area of applied interest. Typically this requires students to take as undergraduates more than the standard 120 credits needed for graduating with a bachelor of arts degree. Some of these credits will be in graduate courses and will count toward the master's degree. In the fifth year, accepted students complete the coursework for the master's program. More detailed information on the five-year tracks is available on the mathematics department webpage.
Students will find that a mathematics major is excellent preparation for graduate study in statistics, operations research, industrial engineering, economics, or financial mathematics, even if they choose not to pursue a five-year track. Such students would apply to graduate programs in these areas in their senior year, as normal. Departmental advisers can guide students in their selection of coursework outside the mathematics department to best prepare them for the graduate programs of their choice.
