STEM careers are some of the highest in demand nation and worldwide. The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences includes seven different departments. Your studies at BYU—combined with research, internships, and other experience—can prepare you for a productive career. Using the boxes below, you can explore careers related to all seven departments.
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Chemistry & Biochemistry
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Chemistry & Biochemistry Alumnus: Clark Turner
Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. are directly employed in the chemistry industry, and these jobs pay 45 percent more than the average U.S. manufacturing wage, according to the American Chemistry Council’s website.
These links contain informative information about what you can do with this major:
Computer science majors are trained to think creatively, to solve complex problems, and to communicate with clarity and precision. Upon successful completion of the computer science program, graduates are actively recruited by major computer corporations, commercial software companies, and research institutions. In addition, graduates are sought after by employers in other fields, including graphics and animation, business, health, and banking. Current national forecasts predict that a favorable market for technology-related jobs will continue well into the next decade.
The geological sciences consist of a number of disciplines aimed at understanding the earth’s origin and development, including the natural processes that have operated upon and within the earth since the formation of the solar system. With the development of remote-sensing technology and the ability to explore the solar system by spacecraft, geological sciences have become increasingly important in understanding not only the earth, but the moon, other planets and their moons, and small bodies that orbit the sun. Careers in the geological sciences field include environmental geology, engineering geology, geological education, petroleum geology, field geology, science writing, and environmental law.
Mathematics is central to life in this technological society. The rigor and discipline required to excel in mathematics help students develop skills that are in constant demand. Graduates obtain positions in a wide variety of business, governmental, and industrial enterprises. Mathematics majors are also sought after by professional schools of law, medicine, and management. Mathematical experience beyond basic calculus enhances the life and capabilities of every intellectually curious student.
These links contain helpful information for those exploring careers in mathematics:
Physics and astronomy majors find jobs in research and development in high-tech industries, in engineering, and computer software/IT. They go on to graduate schools in all engineering fields, the physical and biological sciences, and to professional schools specializing in medicine, law (especially patent law), and business. Physics and astronomy majors often work in universities, government labs, observatories, and planetariums.
These links provide useful information for exploring careers in physics and astronomy:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of statisticians is projected to grow 27 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected to result from more widespread use of statistical analysis to make informed business, healthcare, and policy decisions. In addition, the large increase in available data from the Internet will open up new areas for analysis.”
These links provide useful information for exploring careers in stats: