What is applied mathematics and why does it matter?
While pure mathematics is simply the study of mathematics outside of any practical applications, applied mathematics is an interdisciplinary field that takes the skills needed for pure math—including analytical thinking, logical reasoning and problem-solving—and applies them to real-world challenges.
These problems arise in diverse fields such as science, medicine and engineering, in applications as broad as investment analysis in finance, developing new components in engineering, artificial intelligence algorithms, and digital-imaging technology in healthcare.
Applied mathematics graduates can choose from a variety of career paths and the number of global job opportunities is increasing all the time; possible career pathways include hedge fund investment analyst, robotics expert, data scientist, logistics consultant or cybersecurity specialist. Applied mathematicians are the ideal candidates for any number of roles in the future, and they’re needed now.
A highly customizable program
You can tailor the Bachelor in Applied Mathematics program to your own professional aims and interests, with three concentrations to choose from. In the program’s final year, you dive deep into the area that corresponds to your career goals:
Industrial mathematics is about developing the most efficient mathematical methods to solve problems in different industries. This concentration looks more closely at many of the program’s general concepts, such as mathematical modeling, statistics and operational research, giving students a thorough grounding in mathematical and computational tools.
By using advanced techniques in differential equations, numerical calculus and network theory, students get to grips with the intricacies of industrial applications. Industrial mathematics is a practical and interdisciplinary concentration focused on developing sought-after skills, leading to roles in industries such as banking, pharmaceuticals, transportation or even neuroscience.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic, with emerging technologies such as ChatGPT transforming how we live and work. AI covers a range of topics, including machine learning and natural language processing, with new applications being discovered every day. Businesses are increasingly investing in AI and incorporating it into their processes, and this concentration gives students in-depth knowledge of key competencies in the field: statistics, data analysis and data visualization, as well as insights into machine learning.
Students learn how to use tools to transform mathematical knowledge into AI expertise, potentially opening doors in a wide range of sectors including logistics, medicine, robotics, chemistry and even marketing. New roles are emerging all the time in this fast-evolving environment, and this concentration will provide a future-proofed skill set.
Financial mathematics is a critical skill in the finance sector, which relies on mathematics as well as analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Financial mathematics has applications in risk management, data mining, stock trading and investment strategies. This concentration covers topics including stochastic differential calculus and computational economics, as well as important business skills like pricing and risk evaluation.
Interdisciplinary content, such as behavioral economics, provides a well-rounded professional profile for anybody wishing to work in banking, e-commerce or in the fast-growing area of fintech. Career opportunities include quantitative analyst, decision analyst or financial consultant. Financial mathematics skills are in high demand, so this list is by no means exhaustive.
Skills for any industry
Applied mathematics graduates have knowledge and transferable skills that will allow them to excel in a wide range of careers.
In Finance, mathematical computations and number-crunching are used in risk analysis, financial modeling and algorithmic trading. While in Technology, mathematical frameworks handle real-world AI applications, and in Engineering, applied mathematics graduates can contribute in fields such as aerospace, automotive and robotics. Even in Healthcare, applied mathematics experts can make a difference by applying their skills to medical imaging, epidemiology and healthcare analytics.
So there’s a broad spectrum of potential careers available after a Bachelor in Applied Mathematics, with career pathway options as varied as the discipline’s possible applications.
The Board
IE School of Science & Technology is committed to keeping all our programs on the cutting edge of their respective fields. That’s why, in May 2023, we inaugurated the Bachelor in Applied Mathematics Advisory Board. The carefully chosen board comprises prominent mathematicians from a variety of backgrounds and internationally renowned academic institutions, companies and research institutes.
The Board will provide support in various aspects, ensuring students benefit from a well-rounded and up-to-date curriculum, and identifying and promoting professional opportunities for them. This will foster a collaborative environment and enable us to offer our students both research and industry internship opportunities.
Collaborative agreement with the RSME
IE University and the Royal Spanish Mathematical Society (Real Sociedad Matemática Española, RSME) signed a new agreement in April 2023, to promote research and collaboration in applied mathematics through workshops and other initiatives with experts from academia and industry alike.
The new collaboration will provide direct career benefits to our students. By working with real practitioners, they can explore the world of work, getting to grips with the interdisciplinary aspects of applied mathematics that will be so useful in their professional futures.
If increased creativity in problem-solving, practical experience and a competitive edge in the labor market sounds like what you’re looking for in a math program, the Bachelor in Applied Mathematics is your starting point for whichever unique career path you choose.
