I am a final year student of B.Tech (Electronics and Communication Engineering). I want to pursue higher studies by doing M.Tech. My keen interest is in the field of Mathematics. Could you throw some light on all the options available for engineering graduates in the stream of Mathematics?
P.N.Apuroop
Application of Mathematics is found invariably in every discipline of science, engineering, industry, technology, etc.
A career in Mathematics is not just being a number-cruncher but solving problems in the environment of your choice. New application areas are being discovered constantly and older techniques are being applied in new ways. All the branches of Mathematics are applied to various career options. For example, Algebra is applied in the field of computer science, networking. Calculus is applied in rocket science, molecular structure.
Many industries rely on Applied Mathematics and computational science for the design and optimisation of aircraft, automobiles, textiles, computers, and a wide range of other products and services.
Higher studies
After completing B.Tech, you can pursue further studies and specialise in a particular subject. This will help you earn a better salary. It will also give you an advantage during interviews. Higher studies will help you build in-depth knowledge of the subject.
Your option of pursuing M.Tech in Mathematics after doing B.Tech (ECE) is very interesting. This branch of M.Tech is not very popular but is of high value.
For pursuing Master’s degree in any stream of engineering, you need to appear for GATE exam. The Indian Institute of Technology (IITS) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) conduct GATE.
The main purpose of GATE is to conduct tests for admission for master’s courses in Engineering. However, it also identifies suitable engineers/researchers in various areas and helps them choose their subjects of interest to pursue their master’s degree.
You can pursue M.Tech in Industrial Mathematics and Scientific Computing, Applied Mathematics or Statistics, etc.
Some of the universities offering M.Tech in Mathematics are listed below:
The Department of Mathematics, IIT Chennai offers M.Tech. in Industrial Mathematics and Scientific Computing which is one of the most prospective courses which prepare students for the better career in the industry. This programme trains manpower to
solve industrial problems. It teaches to simulate, optimise and control technical, financial and organisational process. Postgraduate students of science and graduate students of engineering with a valid GATE score are eligible for this course. GATE score is not mandatory for sponsored candidates. It is a two-year programme. For more information, please visit www.iitm.ac.in
Department of Mathematics, University Of Pune offers M.Tech (Industrial Mathematics with Computer Application) which is a three-year course. B.A./B. Sc. Mathematics or B.E./B. Tech./ (Engineering) can apply for this course. For further details, please visit http://www.unipune.ac.in/
Kuvempu University, Karnataka offers M.Tech (Industrial Maths & Computer Application) which is a two-year course. For further details, please visit http://www.kuvempu.ac.in/
After a Masters degree, you can pursue a Ph.D. Department of Mathematics, University Of Pune offers Ph.D. degree program where you have to submit a mathematical thesis containing original results. Having submitted his/her thesis, you have to face a viva to defend the thesis. The admission to the Ph.D. program is approved by a committee appointed by the University of Pune.
If you are interested in pursuing Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences, then IISc, Bangalore is another best place. For further details, please visit http://www.iisc.ernet.in/
Job prospects
Though there are many jobs that require mathematical skills, there are few jobs that carry the official title Mathematician.
Mathematics majors may end up in a job as Engineer or Analyst. Career opportunities in the mathematical sciences are classified into two broad categories, Educators and Practitioners.
If you are willing to work as educators, you can become a University Professor, College Teacher, High School Teacher.
If you are willing to work as practioners, you can become an Actuary, Computational Scientist, Operations Research Analyst, Systems Engineer or Systems Analyst, Scientific Communication, Software Engineer or Software Consultant, Statistician, Research Mathematician, etc.
Actuaries are generally hired by insurance companies (life, health, etc.), pension plans, businesses, consulting firms and government agencies.
A computational scientist interprets problems arised from the physical sciences and engineering in mathematical form and develops mathematical solutions to the problems.
A software engineer designs and writes software that performs non-numerical functions, such as graphics.
In non-academic positions, research mathematicians conduct mathematical research to large corporations and various departments of government such as the Department of Energy and various branches of the military.
After completing B.Tech (Electronics and Communication Engineering), you can pursue your higher studies in any of the above mentioned subjects as you are interested in the field of Mathematics. Hence, there are many career opportunities for you in a variety of industries.
T. Muralidharan
TMI e2E Academy
(Queries for this column can be sent to collegian@thehindu.co.in)
