Careers That Involve Mathematics & Science
Math is the underlying language of science. Its use has led to inventions and discoveries that have created modern civilization. In almost every field, there is some basis for math and some principles of science being applied. But in many fields, their roles are not immediately evident, or the math has been so worked into the system that the people doing the job need never know the actual math themselves. However, in cutting-edge fields, in many exciting careers and even in desk jobs, math is still used every day. Certainly, almost any research field involves some science.
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Engineering
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Engineering is an applied science. The discipline takes scientific principles and works them out mathematically to produce various outcomes. Civil engineers design roadways and canals. They are the builders of the engineering world and their designs require lots of math to ensure that what they build doesn't come crashing down or collapse from within. Mechanical engineers design all things mechanical. They have to calculate torque and power and measure a device's capabilities. Without mechanical engineers, we wouldn't have engines. Electrical engineers work in a world of circuitry, in which their designs create all the electric marvels we take for granted. And mechanical and electrical engineers do a lot of defense contract work as well, designing the next weapon or armored suit. There are also aeronautical engineers who design aircraft. If something can be designed, there was an engineer behind it.
Scientists
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Scientists specialize in many fields. Physicists may go into astrophysics and study the universe as astronomers. Those interested in the medical sciences may become doctors or do research to find new cures and develop new drugs. Chemists, too, do a lot of drug research, but also work in fields developing new products, including cosmetics. Chemists may also go into chemical engineering and work on oil-related projects. Geologists also work in oil, using their knowledge of earth science to locate viable oil sources as well as figure out how to get the oil out. Geophysicists study alternative fuel sources using geothermics.
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Money Crunchers
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Money is all about numbers and math, but not always simple math. Accountants use math constantly to balance books and organize businesses. Bankers, too, must deal in numbers. And like stock exchange brokers, both must deal in the math of probabilities as they track the fluctuating stock market. For them, the work is more than just noting fractions and whether the numbers have gone up or down.
Probability is an entire field devoted to the mathematical relationship of events that are likely to happen. Probability is used to calculate the odds of winning a lottery. It's used in all forms of gambling, like setting the odds on a horse. It's how casinos know how much to pay out on a win and how often a win should occur.
Jobs with Travel
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Pilots use a lot of math in calculating routes. They must account for wind correction and fuel consumption. They calculate weight and balance on the aircraft. Besides airline pilots, there are numerous jobs for small aircraft pilots, such as flying a pipeline, in which the pilot flies over pipelines looking for problems. Train engineers, too, calculate weight and balance among other calculations to ensure the train won't tip over when rounding a bend. Astronauts use a lot of math and science in their work. It's not just the team who put them into space that uses math. Once in space, they have only themselves to rely upon in the event of any emergency. And, operating the spacecraft, like operating a plane, requires math calculations. Scuba divers use math and charts to calculate decompression stops while ascending. They use math to determine how long they can remain underwater at given depths. Ship navigators use math to calculate their positions exactly.
Additional Fields
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Technicians who repair things need to read schematics and employ the necessary math and sciences. Computer programmers use computer science and all levels of math in creating programs that do everything from provide us with entertainment to saving our lives to making work easier. Architects use math in designing buildings. Much like civil engineers, their work is only as sound as their math. Miscalculations can cause buildings to collapse and can cost lives.
Lives are often held in the balance by the proper application of math and science. Anesthesiologists use math to calculate how much anesthesia a patient requires. There are numerous fields employing math and science opening up everyday.
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