“The difference between the poet and the mathematician is that the poet tries to get his head into the heavens while the mathematician tries to get the heavens into his head.”
― G.K. Chesterton
Mathematics is a study of numeric science, using approaches like algebra, calculus and basic arithmetic and deals with structure, space, quantity, and change. B.Sc. Mathematics, as a subject aims at studying and investigating of structure, quantity, and space, develops understanding of analytical skills and purposeful abilities and competencies in Mathematics. The course also builds skills for fundamental applications of mathematical strategies applied to general concepts beyond theoretical mathematics. The topics included in the three year program are Trigonometry, Algebra, Calculus, Vector Calculus, Differential Geometry, Graph Theory, Complex Analysis, Real Analysis, Differential Equations, Laplace Transforms, Statistics for Mathematics, Numerical Methods, Discrete Mathematics. In India the tuition fee for a three year BSc Mathematics program varies from rupees 5,000 to 2 Lac.
Interpreting and analyzing resultant information, overseeing and finding patterns as well as drawing conclusions are some of the skills necessary to study B Sc Maths. Decent knowledge of computer applications also helps students in coping up with the course. Candidates are expected to exhibit mathematical contentions and conclusions with precision and exactness; and have the capacity to examine considerable amounts of data and information. Moreover to study B.Sc. Math degree students will have to take subjects like Physics and Chemistry in the pass course.
After completing B.Sc. Math degree course students can do higher studies in the domain like – M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. Degree program in Mathematics, on completion of which they can look for a lecturer post colleges and universities. B.Sc. Math Honours degree is also extremely valuable for future studies in accounting and statistics, for example, ICWA, CA and CS. After B.Sc. Maths one can also opt for M.Sc. in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Astronomy, Actuarial Science, MCA/MBA et al.
Eligibility and Admission
Math Honours is a three year degree course studied after completing 12th class from a recognized board or its equivalent exam, with PCM subjects at the plus-two level. The general eligibility criteria is completing 10+2 or equivalent examination in Science stream with at least 50% marks in maths from a recognized board or institute. However, each college has its own cut off marks and higher the college ranking higher goes the cut off.
B.Sc. Math degree programs are offered by an array of colleges and universities of India and most of them follow a merit-based admission process. Marks scored by applicants at the plus-two level are considered as the admission criteria. However, some institutes do conduct entrance tests to allot seats to deserving candidates.
Those who want to take admission to this program have to fill an online admission form available on the website of the college/university/institute which will subsequently issue a cut-off list that will ensure admission to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.
Following are the colleges and universities that conduct entrance tests for B.Sc. Math Honours program in India:
- SAT conducted byGitam Institute of Science for Bachelor of Science (BSc with Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry / Electronics/Computer Science)
- CUCET conducted by Central Universities (On a rotational basis) for various BSc and Integrated courses
- PUBDET conducted by Presidency University, Kolkata for BSc Mathematics
- Banaras Hindu University
- Jamia Hamdard University
- Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences
- Ranchi University
Top Colleges to study B.Sc mathematics are:
St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi
St. Stephen’s (NIFR 2020 Ranking – 4) is the oldest college in Delhi and the alumni of the college include IPS/IAS/IFS officers, ministers, economists, historians, authors, journalists, advocates, Supreme Court Judges et al.
The College offers B.Sc honors in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics and offers M.Sc in Operational research, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Presidency College, Chennai
Presidency College, Chennai (NIFR 2020 Ranking – 5) is one of the two Presidency colleges established by the British in India, the other being the Presidency College, Kolkata. National Assessment and Accreditation Council reaccredited the college and awarded the grade “A” in 2005.
The College offers B.Sc and M.Sc in Mathematics, Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Physics, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology and Psychology
St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata
St. Xavier’s is a Private College located in Kolkata (NIFR 2020 Ranking – 7), offers undergraduate, postgraduate, Ph.D. and various diploma and certificate courses.
The college offers specialization in Four Disciplines at the Undergraduate level, two disciplines at the postgraduate level and three disciplines at the Ph.D. level. The University also offers B.Ed and Integrated M.Sc course to its candidates.
St. Xavier’s College offers B.Sc in Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Microbiology, Physics, and Statistics.
Loyola College, Chennai
Loyola College offers B.Sc and M.Sc in Mathematics and is ranked 2nd among Top 100 colleges in India by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2017. The College was ranked 6th by the NIRF Ranking 2020. Loyola College is accredited ‘A’ by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and offers 19 undergraduate and 19 postgraduate courses. Moreover, the college also offers Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in the fields of Arts, Commerce, and Science.
Presidency University, Kolkata
Presidency University (NIFR University Ranking 41) which signed MOU with the University of Groningen, and Cambridge University, and Trinity College Dublin offers multiple undergraduate and postgraduate programs in English, Bengali, Sanskrit, History, Geography, Chronology, Astronomy, Mathematics, Chemistry et al.
Admissions are done through entrance examinations conducted separately for UG and PG courses by Presidency University Bachelor Degree Entrance Test (PUBDET). Shortlisted candidates are then called for counselling by the university.
Fergusson College, Pune
Fergusson College (FC), Pune (NIFR 2020 Ranking – 42) is affiliated to the University of Pune and accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ grade. Admission is the college is based and the college provides Undergraduate Courses in Mathematics, Animation, Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronic Science, Environmental Science, Geology, Microbiology, Physics, Statistics and Zoology.
M Sc Courses offered by the college include post grad in Mathematics, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Botany, Computer Science, Electronic Science, Environmental Science, Geology, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, and Physics.
Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College (MCC), (NIFR 2020 Ranking – 17) has received the Rating of A+ (equivalent to 90-95%) by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and has signed 15 MOUs with various educational institutions around the world, and many more for students exchange program. Madras Christian College offers B.Sc and M.Sc in Mathematics, Chemistry, Geography, Microbiology, Physical Education, Physics, Zoology, Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Statistics, and Visual Communication.
St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
St. Xavier’s College is an autonomous institute (NIFR 2020 Ranking – 90), is affiliated with the University of Mumbai and offers UG, PG, certificate and diploma courses in the field of Arts, Science, Business and Commerce. The college has beens awarded ‘A+’ grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The College offers B.Sc in Mathematics, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Geology, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Physics, and Statistics.
Oxford College, Bangalore
The Oxford College of Science is a degree college in Bangalore and is a part of Oxford Educational Institutions. The college offers B.Sc in Mathematics and the combinations are B.Sc in Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science, B.Sc in Electronics, Mathematics and Computer Science, B.Sc in Physics, and Mathematics and Computer Science. The College also offers M.Sc in Mathematics.
Christ University
Christ University is a deemed private university exclusively known for its undergraduate courses and has been ranked among the top ten colleges for UG courses in India. Admission is based on entrance exam conducted by the university which offers different combinations of subjects like B.Sc in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, B.Sc in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, B.Sc in Physics, Mathematics, Electronics and The College also offers M.Sc in Mathematics.
Other reputed colleges to study BSc Maths in India –
- Quantum University, Roorkee
- Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
- ST Joseph’s College, Calicut
- Elphinstone College, Mumbai
- St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad
- National Post Graduate College, Lucknow
- Jai Hind College, Mumbai
- Hindu College, Delhi
- Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore
- University of Lucknow, Lucknow
- Ranchi University, Ranchi
- Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair
- Jawaharlal Nehru College, East Siang
- Ramjas College,New Delhi
- Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi
- Hans Raj College, New Delhi
Career Prospects after B.Sc in Mathematics
A plethora of career opportunities exist in the field of mathematics and graduates are employed in education institutions like schools, colleges, both government and private ones and also in other organizations and industries like banking jobs both in government or private banks, investment, insurance, finance, and risk-management. Candidates can work as tutors or own coaching centres. Candidates can also go for.
Other places where their degree credited are
- Accountancy
- Investment
- Insurance
- Government as well as public administrations
- Commercial surveys
- Research operations
- Numerical analysis
- Actuarial sciences
- Mathematical modeling
- Computer sciences
- Cryptography
Some popular job roles are-
- Statisticians (Salary – 3 to 4 Lac)
- Business Analyst (Salary – 8 to 9 Lac)
- Mathematician (Salary – 9 to 10 Lac)
- Risk Analyst (Salary -5 to 6 Lac)
- Data Analyst (Salary – 3 to 4 Lac)
Other job roles include accountant, personal banker, computer programmer, demographer, economist, loan officer, mathematician, researcher, technical writer, treasury management specialist etc.
The initial salary for these positions in the government organizations is between 10,000 to 30,000 rupees a month while in the private organizations and corporates the package after B.Sc. Mathematics is between 2 to 8 lakh per annum.