When the word "mathematician" comes to mind, famous historical figures like Pythagoras, Archimedes and Isaac Newton may come to mind. Under their guidance and the revolutionary ideas of many others, mathematics has come a long way from just simple shapes and arithmetic to an increasingly central part of our modern world.
Not just generating new mathematical ideas and concepts, mathematicians are now in virtually every field of study and area of work. Would you like to become a mathematician in Malaysia? Read on to find out how you can start your journey towards a career in mathematics.
What is the English language requirement for university math?
We can't talk about being a mathematician without fulfilling your institution's entry requirements first! Let's see what you'll need to prepare before studying mathematics at your university and how you can apply for a maths programme there.
A good headstart would be thinking about what your priorities are when you leave home to study. Some of these questions could be: Does it matter if I go to a prestigious institution or not? Do I want to study at a public or private institution? Is it necessary for me to study somewhere close to home or can I opt to study in another city?
Another element to think about is the cost of studying for a maths degree in Malaysia.
Next, look out for courses and universities you may be interested in based on your priorities. Course structures and information about universities in Malaysia are widely available to students on the Internet, so it's not necessary for you to visit these universities in person. Apart from researching these programmes and places online, try asking your teachers or seniors who are familiar with your interests as they may provide further insight into these places.
How do I start a career in mathematics?
When you've finally found your preferred course and university, it's time to apply! From the previous research that you've done, you may have come across entry requirements or language requirements for the course you are interested in. Focus on these three main components below:
Grade requirements
If you have already sat for your SPM examination or the O-Level examination, you will often need at least 5 credits in English, Mathematics, and other relevant science subjects. If you are at the pre-university level, your prerequisites may differ across different institutions, but it is often a minimum CGPA of 2.50 to 3.00 that will get you into university.
Language requirements
Most universities will require you to fulfil some English language test qualifications, even if it is for a maths degree in Malaysia. This means you'll have to sit for English proficiency tests such as MUET, IELTS or TOEFL. You can take these tests when you take up a pre-university programme as these language qualifications are usually already part of the course.
Other entry requirements
Finally, check off what other entry requirements are needed by the institution of your choice. This often includes a copy of your identification card, your academic transcripts and reference letters from your school. When preparing your application, try to have at least two extra copies of each document on hand so that you'll have a copy for yourself and another just in case you'll need to bring them to your campus later.
Here is everything else you need to know about a maths degree in Malaysia.
How long does a mathematics degree take?
If you want to build a career in mathematics, there are several educational pathways you can take. If you've already completed your studies up until the SPM level, then you can think about the different pre-university courses to apply for. To progress into a bachelor's in maths in Malaysia, you will need to complete a pre-university programme as one of the prerequisites. Do you know the different branches of maths at university?
Let's compare the possible educational pathways for each level of tertiary education.
Before Your Degree
Before commencing your bachelor's degree in mathematics, it's often the choice between taking a pre-university course, international foundation or diploma. Pre-university courses such as STPM, A-Level, SAM or AUSMAT takes about a year to complete, which can be taken after they've completed their SPM, O-Level or other equivalents exams.
A foundation programme takes a year to complete and a diploma will take two years, but these two are courses that are often specific to the degree you will take later on. However, it is important that you check with your university on these prerequisites to make sure your Pre-U qualifications don't go to waste!
During Your Degree
Congratulations on making it to your maths degree! After completing the prerequisites, you will spend another three years studying for your degree. However, if you've taken a diploma, you can directly move into the second year of your degree studies. So while you may take longer than other Pre-U courses if you took a diploma, you will spend around 2 years studying maths at the bachelor's level.
After Your Degree
It's good to consider applying for a postgraduate course upon completing your degree as you can expand your career opportunities, especially if you are really interested in the subject. A master's degree will take you about two to four years to complete, and after that, a PhD takes about a year.
Nonetheless, you can start your career as early as after you've completed your first maths degree. What are some things you can do with your maths degree?
Which job is best for maths students?
There are many jobs out there you can pursue as a mathematician. Whether your interest is in applying differential equations to real-world problems or generating new ideas in mathematical research, Malaysia is home to an abundance of opportunities to grow your career in mathematics.
Did you know the average mathematician's base salary is about RM158,000 per year?
That is an equivalent hourly rate of about RM75 per hour as an average mathematician. At the entry-level, you may earn about RM110,000 per year. At the senior level, this goes up to about RM198,000 in a year. It is worth noting, however, that these salaries may change depending on your job scope and area of specialisation.
Some of the highest-paying jobs among math majors include jobs as an actuary, data scientist, data engineer, and quantitative analyst. While most of these careers involve a great deal of statistical analysis and data processing, you can still find other careers in other fields such as education, banking and finance.
Even with these abundant opportunities, you may wonder if taking a major in math is hard. Of course, with further university studies, you can increase your chances of getting a well-paid job as well as more experience in the field.
How do I further my studies after university?
Although studies may be challenging at the postgraduate level, it's definitely encouraged that you further your studies in maths to become a true mathematician. Students with these higher-level qualifications will benefit in their careers as well!
Both public and private universities in Malaysia offer a wide range of math-related studies at the postgraduate level, such as Universiti Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, and Sunway University. You can opt for any course ranging from a Master's in statistics to a PhD in mathematical sciences. It's really up to which field you want to specialise in, along with how long you will spend studying mathematics in Malaysia.
Another way to further your expertise is to be actively involved in the field. Put yourself out there by joining workshops, talks, and seminars on mathematics and recent findings on the subject. This is also an opportunity for you to meet others in the same field and grow your contacts, which can greatly boost your professional network.
To really start off on the right foot, it would be helpful to work on your mathematical skills even from now. Superprof provides accessible learning to everyone, and this includes mathematics at every level of education, too. If you'd like to work on your problem-solving skills in maths, over 3,000 mathematics tutors on Superprof Malaysia are ready to enhance your learning experience!
Would you like to have your maths lesson in-person or via webcam? Superprof has the option of both, which also comes with the choice of either one-on-one or group classes for students. Find out more when you visit our Superprof Tutors page, which details the job descriptions of each tutor, even their lesson fees and style of teaching.
Our Superprof tutors often respond within hours - yes, that means you can directly message your tutor via our tutors' page! All you have to do is sign up with Superprof for free, click on your preferred tutor's profile, and you can set the date for your first lesson from there.
Start building your career as a mathematician with Superprof today!
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