Courses & Careers

Select a career below and explore the maths they ‘use’, where the maths is in the curriculum and possible career pathways. Note: the career pathways are to be only used as a guide. There are other, dedicated websites, that provide comprehensive details to each course in Ireland and their respective entry requirements. Check out Careers Portal or Qualifax. Prior to making any career decision, it is advisable to book an appointment with your Guidance Councillor at school.

Additional careers will be added in time.

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Accounting Technician

Career description and Mathematics involved:

An Accounting Technician supports the work of accountants by undertaking a wide range of accountancy, financial and taxation tasks. They carry out accountancy tasks ranging from organising payroll and book-keeping, report preparation and ensuring all financial information is collated, checked and analysed to specific standards.

They use mathematics to compute calculations such as tax, invoice preparation and auditing internal and external accounts for making 'end of year' calculations.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic and Financial Mathematics.

Career Pathway:

Professional bodies such as Accounting Technicians Ireland provide qualifications designed specifically for the profession. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) administer the Chartered Accounting Technician (CAT) professional qualification.

Accountant

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Accountants offer financial advice, audit accounts and provide trustworthy information about financial records. This might involve financial reporting, taxation, auditing, forensic accounting, corporate finance, business recovery and insolvency.

Accountants use mathematical formulae to compare income, expenses, profits and debts to those of other companies in similar industries.

Accountants use addition and subtraction every day to arrive at totals for management and tax reports.

To forecast the expected cost for short-term or long-term planning, accountants may multiply actual current costs and expenses by a percentage. The forecast percentage often varies with the expected rate of inflation. When dealing with foreign suppliers or customers, accountants must calculate the currency exchange rates using division or multiplication and the current rate of exchange.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Financial Mathematics, Arithmetic, Number, Algebra.
Course:

A comprehensive discussion on pathways to become a Chartered Accountant here in Ireland is presented by Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Actuary

Brief Career description and Mathematics involved:

Actuaries understand the nature of risk and find ways to manage it. Develop the analytical skills and business knowledge necessary to design and manage programmes that control risk for the insurance and pension sectors.

Mathematics: Probability & Statistics, Algebra, Financial Mathematics, Calculus.

Career Pathway:

Actuarial & Financial Studies (UCD). Course Code: DN230
Actuarial Mathematics (DCU). Course Code: DC126

Air Traffic Controller

Brief Career description and Mathematics involved:

Air traffic controllers are responsible for coordinating and directing aircraft along flight paths.

Air traffic controllers use mathematics to compute quick mental calculations to understand distances and positions of flights
at a moment's notice. They also use mathematics to calculate rates of assent and decent for flights.

Career Pathway:

There is no specific course in Ireland, but the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have a Student Controller Programme (insert link here)
In the UK, NATS, (National Air Traffic Service) provide information on their website for Trainee Air Traffic Controllers (insert link here)

Animator

Career description and Mathematics involved:

An animator produces multiple images called frames, which when sequenced together create an illusion of movement known as animation. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, and video games.

Animators use mathematics: Trigonometry and translational geometry and complex numbers helps rotate and move characters in a scene.

Algebra is required to create the special effects that make images shine and sparkle.  Calculus helps light up a scene and turns blocky images into smooth more realistic images, especially for 3D graphics.

Course:

BA. Animation (Dun Laoghaire Inst' of Art Design & Technology) (Code: DL832)
BA. Animation (Letterkenny Institute of Technology) (Code: LY437)
BA. Animation Visual Effects & Motion Design (IT, Tralee) (Code: TL801)

 

 

Architect

Career description and Mathematics involved:

An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings and also the redesign of existing buildings. Trigonometry is a specific type of mathematics that deals with the angles, sides and corners of triangles. This branch of math is essential for architects because it teaches how to include angles and corners in architectural designs. For example, a clear understanding of trigonometry enables an architect to properly design support walls in the right places in a building so it doesn't collapse.

As calculus is the mathematics of change, calculus is necessary to design a structure that can survive its own weight, the weights of its (often moving...the change) contents, and stresses put upon it from the environment in which it stands.

Mathematics in the curriculum:  Algebra, Calculus, Geometry and Trigonometry.

Career Pathway:

B.Sc. Architectural Science (UCD). Course Code: DN100
B.Arch Architecture (DIT). Course Code: DT101

Astronomer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who studies stars, planets, moons, comets, and galaxies, as well as many other celestial objects. A related but distinct subject, cosmology, is concerned with studying the universe as a whole. An astronomer researches the world beyond Earth.

Mathematics and Astronomy have been closely linked since their respective inception. Isaac Newton discovered the laws of gravity and described the planets' motion in relation to one another. Newton's equations are still used for calculating gravitational forces. As a modern example, astronauts use mathematics to direct a spacecraft that moves at a large speed (approx 17,500 miles per hour) to the International Space Station for a rendezvous. Complex mathematical calculations must be performed so that the two objects moving at high speed can meet at one point without causing damage to each other. Another example may be the use of Radio telescopes to provide information from the unseen electromagnetic spectrum. This includes infrared radiation, X-rays, gamma rays and cosmic radiation. Radio telescopes use complex equations to separate radio frequency “noise” from true deep space signals. This process is known as filtering.

Course:

B.Sc Physics with Astronomy (DCU) (Code: DC167)
Astronomy & Planetary Science (Open University) (Code: S10)
M.Sc Space Science and Technology (UCD) (Code: F060)

Astrophysicist

Career description and Mathematics involved:
An astrophysicist studies the branch of astronomy that deals with the physical properties of celestial bodies and with the interaction between matter and radiation in the interior of celestial bodies and in interstellar space.
Astrophysicists use maths all the time - to determine the distances to objects (geometry), their temperatures (algebra used in mathematical models), their compositions (algebra used in theoretical models), to model evolving systems (differential and integral calculus) are some examples.
Mathematics in the curriculum: Algebra, Geometry, Calculus.
Course:

B.Sc Physics and Astrophysics (UCC) (Code: CK408)
BA Physics and Astrophysics (TCD) (Code:  TR071)
B.Sc Physics with Asdtrophysics (Maynooth) (Code: MH204)

Builder

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Building or Carpentry is a skilled trade in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings.

They use mathematics such as geometry and trigonometry when installing a roof on a house, when building walls; corners are to be at right-angles. They need to use area and volume when cutting and shaping material, etc.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Area and Volume, Trigonometry, Geometry. Translations.

Course:

The typical route to becoming a builder is by completing an apprenticeship. For specific details check FAS/SOLAS

Cartographer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A cartographer is involved with the scientific, technological and artistic aspects of developing and producing maps. Cartographers present complex information as diagrams, charts and spreadsheets, as well as in the form of conventional maps. Geographical information systems (GIS) and digital-mapping techniques now dominate the role.

They use maths for scaling maps, co-ordinate systems and for map projection. Map scale is the relationship between distances on a map and the corresponding distances on the earth’s surface expressed as a fraction or a ratio. Coordinate systems are numeric methods of representing locations on the earth’s surface. Map projection is a function or transformation which relates coordinates of points on a curved surface to coordinates of points on a plane.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Linear Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus.

Course:

Any Arts degree specialising in Geography.
M.Sc. Applied Science - Geographical Information Systems & Remote Sensing (UCC) (Code: CKR09)
M.Sc. Geographical Information Systems & Remote Sensing (Maynooth) (Code:MHN58)

Chef

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A chef may be defined as a professional cook, typically the chief cook in a restaurant or hotel.

Chefs use mathematics when they convert units (pounds and ounces to grams and kilograms, also from Fahrenheit to Celsius temperature scales) and they also need to use ratios (for example, 1 cup of water requires 2 cups of milk).

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic

Course:

Culinary Arts (Waterford IT) (Code: WD172)
Chef Programme - Total Immersion Cookery Programme TICP at Galway (GMIT)

Chemist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A chemist searches for and uses new knowledge about chemicals to improve the way we live. He or she may develop products such as synthetic fibers, drugs and cosmetics. A chemist also creates processes, including oil refining and petrochemical processing, that reduce energy use and pollution. Chemists specialise in areas such as analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and theoretical,medical, and materials chemistry.

Chemists use mathematics when balancing the equation of a chemical reaction, when finding the mass of chemicals reacted to the concentration of a chemical in a solution, etc. Mathematics is also used to calculate energy in reactions, compression of a gas, grams needed to add to a solution to reach desired concentration, and quantities of reactants needed to reach a desired product.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry.

Course:

B.Sc Pharmaceutical & Industrial Chemistry (UL) (Code: LM061)
B.Sc Chemical & Pharmaceutical Science (NUIG) (Code: GA772)
B.Sc Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences (DCU) (Code: DC162)

One can specialise in 'Chemistry' in the final years of a general Science degree programme. For more specific details see Qualifax.

Computer Games Designer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Games developers designs or programmes games for a variety of formats, such as consoles, wireless applications, the internet and mobile phones. They are involved in various stages of the creation of a game. Most specialise in a particular area such as design, programming, animation, audio, editing or production.

Computer Games Developers use mathematics such as Geometry and Transformations for creating 3D settings, Coordinate Geometry is used in strategy games, Complex Numbers is used in rotating 3D objects and Algebra is used in simulation games

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Algebra, Area and Volume, Complex Numbers, Geometry.

 

Course:

B.Sc Computing - Games Development (IT, Sligo) (Code: SG131)
B.Sc Computer Games Development (UL) (Code: LM110)
B.Sc Computer Games Development (IT, Carlow) (Code: CW208)

Cryptographer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

In the past, cryptography was primarily used to protect military, political, financial, law-enforcement, and other confidential data through the use of a key needed unlock encrypted information. Today, digital information is also encrypted. Cryptographers write algorithms designed to mask information such as account and credit card numbers and wireless networks. Corporations, military organisations, and government agencies also use encryption to protect computers and networks from hackers and cyber-terrorists.

Cryptography requires mathematics. Cryptographers encode and encrypt systems and databases, Perform cryptic computations and apply methods of numerical analysis.

Kahn Acadamy presents an excellent course on cryptography here.

 

Course:

B.Sc Computer Services Management (IT, Tralee)
MSc Network & Information Security (Griffith College Dublin)

Cyber Crime Analyst

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Computer forensic analysts use forensic tools and investigative methods to find specific electronic data, including Internet use history, word processing documents, images and other files. They use their technical skills to search for files and data that have been hidden, deleted or lost. They help detectives and other officials analyse data and evaluate its relevance to the case under investigation. Analysts also transfer the evidence into a format that can be used for legal purposes (i.e. criminal trials) and often testify in court themselves.

Cyber Crime Analysts use a significant amount of cryptography, statistical analysis, and complex algorithms. Advanced topics in mathematics such as number theory and group theory are also used.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Statistics, Calculus, Algebra, Number.

Course:

Any Computer Science degree programme.
MSc in Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation (UCD)

Data Scientist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A Data Scientist is someone whom extracts knowledge or insights from large volumes of data.

The data scientist will use a significant amount of statistics to analyse data, they will use algebra and calculus to build mathematical models to help them understand the data and to build predictive models to help forecast possible future trends in the data.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Algebra, Arithmetic, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry.

Course:

Any degree in Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science. However there are some specialist post-graduate courses available.
M.Sc Data Science and Analytics (UCC) (Code: CKR49)
M.Sc Big Data Management & Analytics (Griffith College Dublin)

Economist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

The primary objective of an economist is to analyse financial data to estimate future economic trends. They advise governments, employers and trade unions on prices, the cost of living, wages, the demand for certain products, etc.

Economists use mathematics to collect data (sampling via surveys), presentation of data (charts and graphs) and understanding patterns in the data (data analysis and interpretation).  They use mathematical models to predict everything from the demand of a product to the unemployment rate. These models are typically designed as functions, for example, the demand of a product is a function of the price of the product, the price of other similar products and the income of a certain population.

Course:

B.Sc Economics and Finance (UCD) (course code: DN670)
B.Sc Financial Mathematics and Economics (NUIG) (course code: GY309)
BA International Finance and Economics (Maynooth University) (course code: MH408)

Electrician

Career description and Mathematics involved:

An electrician is a tradesperson specialising in electrical wiring of buildings, machines and related equipment.

Three of the basic properties electricians use in mathematical formulas are voltage, current and resistance.  Voltage is like pressure in a hose, it is the force of the electricity.  Current is like the volume of water travelling through the hose, the flow.  This electrical flow is measured in amps.  Resistance, may be defined as the resistance to flow in the wire. Electricians will need to use algebra and some basic trigonometry for solving electrical circuit problems.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry.

Course:

All electricians complete apprenticeships. For more specific details on apprenticeships, please click here.

Engineer - Aeronautical

Career description and Mathematics involved:
Aeronautical engineering involves the exciting challenge of designing and developing machines that can fly. The aeronautical engineer is responsible for the creation of newer, safer and more energy-efficient, economical methods for travel including airplanes, helicopters, missiles, satellites and spacecraft.

Aeronautical Engineers use a significant amount of maths.  For example, 'Lift' is the fundamental concept of aviation. It requires an understanding of Bernoulli's equations (mathematical equations that describe how fluids flow), how to calculate linear velocities and area. Without being able to mathematically calculate a lifting force on a wing, it would be impossible to determine if a design for a plane would allow it to fly.

Mathematics in the curriculum: Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Geometry, Arithmetic, Functions.

Course:

B. Eng Aeronautical Engineering (UL) (Code: LM077)
B. Eng Aerospace Engineering (Carlow) (Code: CW568)
B. Eng Aviation Technology (DIT) (Code: DT011)

 

Engineer - Chemical

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A chemical engineer designs and develops the processes that make a diverse range of products. Their work focuses on changing the chemical, biochemical and physical state of a substance to turn it into something else, for example making plastic from oil.

Chemical Engineers would use mathematics such as Calculus to investigate the behaviour of materials under certain conditions also the use of Algebra is needed for building mathematical models, to model and validate chemical processes.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Calculus, Algebra.

Course:

Most General Engineering programmes allow one to specialise in Chemical Engineering. Specific courses comprise:

B.Eng Chemical & Biochemical Engineering (UL) (Code: LM115)
B. Eng Chemical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering (Cork, IT) (Code: CR105)

Engineer - Civil

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Civil engineers plan, design and oversee construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railways, airports, bridges, harbours, dams, irrigation projects, power plants, water and sewage systems.

Civil engineers have to use mathematical equations that are derived from chemistry on a daily basis. Chemistry's equations are used to measure the strength of materials (such as concrete or steel), and engineers must use these equations to select the right material for a project. Another example would be the use of trigonometry when surveying a structure. Surveying deals with land elevations as well as the various angles of buildings.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Arithmetic.

Course:

Civil Engineering (Athlone IT) (Code: AL604)
B.Eng Civil Engineering (GMIT) (Code: GA473)
B.Eng Civil Engineering (UL) (Code:LM085)
B.Eng Tech Civil Engineering (DIT) (Code:DT004)

Engineer - Electrical

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Electrical engineers are responsible for implementing electrical components into any number of devices that use electricity. They help to design and manufacture electrical products of all shapes and sizes. Though it's easy to confuse the two, electrical engineers are different than electronic engineers. Electrical engineers design high voltage equipment like manufacturing facilities, lighting and wiring systems, electrical motors, and power generators. Electronic engineers design smaller systems like portable music players, GPS systems, or video game systems.

Electrical Engineers will use Algebra and Calculus for designing and testing electrical circuits, they will use Statistics for time-series analysis of electrical signals along with Fourier analysis (not on Curriculum) to identify the frequency content of those signals.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Calculus, Complex Numbers, Algebra, Statistics.

Course:

B. Eng Electrical Engineering (Cork, IT) (Code: CR062)
B. Eng Electrical & Electronic Systems (Dundalk, IT) (Code: DK740)
B. Eng Electrical / Electronic Engineering (DIT) (Code: DT021)

Engineer - Electronic

Career description and Mathematics involved:

An electronic engineer designs and tests electronic circuits with the aim of designing new products, maintaining systems and providing solutions to solve operating problems. Electronic engineers play an important role in producing household gadgets, such as mobile phones, laptops, ipods, digital cameras, fridges, and also in the fields of medicine, communications, computing, security, business and entertainment.

The electronic engineer uses maths to calculate the current and voltage requirements within certain systems. They use mathematical modelling for computer simulations, that 'simulate' circuits.

Course:

Electronic Engineering (IT Carlow) (Course Code: CW527)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering (NUIG) (Course code: GY414)
Electronic and Computer Engineering (DCU) (Course code: DC190)
Electronics and Communications Engineering (DIT) (Course code: DT008)

Engineer - Mechanical

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A mechanical engineer is involved in the design, manufacture and operation of machines that involve motion or that have moving parts, such as agricultural machinery, precision engineering, plastic processing and high performance engines.

Examples of how mechanical engineers use maths would be: using calculus to study the rate of heat transfer and also fluid mechanics
require algebra and calculus in designing a pump. The list is endless in mechanical engineering!

 

 

Course:

Mechanical Engineering (DIT) (Course code: DT006)
Mechanical Engineering (UCD) (Course code: DN150)
Engineering (UCC) (Course code: CK600)
Mechanical Engineering (IT Carlow) (Course code: CW517)

Epidemiologist

Brief Career description and Mathematics involved:

Epidemiology is the science that studies patterns, causes and effects of certain diseases and how diseases occur in certain groups of people and why.

The epidemiologist uses mathematics, especially mathematical models to track and monitor infectious diseases. A significant amount of probability and statistics is used by epidemiologists.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Probability & Statistics, Algebra, Calculus.

Career Pathway:

Any science degree specialising in biology or statistics
B.Sc. Public Health (UCC)

Post Graduate Courses:
MSc Biostatistics (NUIG)
Masters in Public Health (UCD)

Financial Analyst

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Financial analysts evaluate the financial situation in their area of expertise (such as insurance, stocks and shares evaluation), and generate appropriate reports, both written and oral, regarding their recommendations. They monitor and interpret available data such as industry and economic trends, forecast the current trends into probable future profitability, determine a fair market value for the sale of company stock, and recommend action to their company or investors.

They use mathematics to estimate trends in certain market conditions and they exploit mathematical models to help them forecast future trends.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Financial Mathematics, Algebra, Calculus.

Course:

B.Sc Finance (UCC) (Code: CK204)
BA Accounting and Finance (Dundalk IT) (Code: DK810)
BA. Actuarial And Financial Studies (UCD) (Code:DN230)

Forensic Scientist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Forensic scientists provide impartial scientific evidence for use in courts of law to support the prosecution or defence in criminal and civil investigations. They are primarily concerned with searching for and examining contact trace material associated with crimes.

Forensic Scientists use mathematics in a variety of ways. For example, measurement. Knowing the exact length of a shoe print could later help rule out crime suspects whose shoes are the wrong size, etc. Trigonometry is used by blood spatter analysts, in their study of how blood from a human injury splatters on a wall or other surface. They draw lines from the victim's body to the blood spatter, then use angles and distances to calculate the third point of the triangle: the person who struck the victim, where the attacker was standing, how hard they must have hit the victim, etc.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Co-ordinate geometry.
Course:

B.Sc DNA and Forensic Analysis (IT, Tallaght) (Code: TA326)
B.Sc Forensic Investigation & Analysis (IT, Sligo) (Code: SG437)

Fashion Designer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Fashion designers work on the design of clothing and fashion ranges, such a sportswear, footwear, etc.

Mathematics is important for the fashion designer. Measurements are everywhere. Geometry and Symmetry for the basis of clothing. Creating a garment to fit a person (in3D) needs to be derived from fabric (in 2D), so a complete understanding of Area/Volume/Dimensions/Translations need to be fully understood.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Area and Volume, Geometry, Coordinate Geometry.

 

Course:

BA Fashion Design (Griffith College Dublin) (Code: GC494)
BA Fashion Design (Limerick IT) (Code: A8116)

Farmer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, raising living organisms for food or raw materials. The term usually applies to people who do some combination of raising field crops, orchards, vineyards, poultry, or other livestock.

Farmers use mathematics for the calculation of areas (size of fields), conversion of units (acres to hectares), ratios (needed for selecting specific fertiliser type), calculation of profit or loss, in essence farming is like any other business.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Area and Volume, Ratios, Percentages, Yield Calculations.

Course:

B.Sc Agriculture (Cork IT) (Code: CR010)
B.Sc Agriculture & Environmental Management at Mountbellew Campus (GMIT) (Code: GA777)
B.Sc Agricultural Science (UCD) (Code: DN250)

Graphic Designer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

 

 

Algebra, Arithmetic, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry.

Course:

Demo Content

Geologist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Geologists work to understand the history of our planet. The better they can understand Earth’s history the better they can foresee how events and processes of the past might influence the future.

The use of maths is becoming more and more useful to geologists. Mathematical geology can be an essential aid in formulating models and scientific theories to bring together different geological phenomena. For example the Earth's geomagnetic field can help with  navigation, geophysical surveys, oil and gas exploration, and in scientific studies ranging from the upper atmosphere to Earth's deep interior.

Algebra, Arithmetic, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry.

Course:

Geology (UCD) Course Code: DN200
Geology (TCD) Course Code: TR071
Geology (UCC) Course Code: CK404
Earth & Ocean Sciences (NUI Galway)

Geophysicist

Career Description and Mathematics Involved

Geophysics is the study of the physical processes and physical properties of the Earth. Geophysicists combine the sciences of geology and physics to locate resources (such as oil and gas), understand natural disasters (such as earthquakes) and to understand our Earth better (research such as plate tectonics)

Geophysicists require a lot of mathematics. All data collected during experiments (such as seismic surveys) require thorough analysis before the data can be interpreted. Computational models of the Earth require a significant amount of mathematics to describe natural phenomena, such as gravity, electricity, magnetism, radioactivity, seismic waves, etc.A strong computational background is needed to be a geophysicist as the data-sets used are very large.

Career Pathway

All Geology related courses... however strong mathematics is required:
Mathematical Science UCD (DN200)
HDip in Mathematical Science (UCD)
Applied Mathematics and Physics (UCC) (CK407)
M.Sc Petroleum Geosicence (UCD) (F056)

Hyrdrologist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Hydrologists are involved in the monitoring, management and protection of water and water resources in commercial, residential and environmental settings. Their work contributes to the efficient planning, development and sustainable use of natural and domestic water resources, ensuring water is supplied in the most cost-effective manner.

Examples of how hydrologists use mathematics comprise calculating flow rates in systems, undertaking hydrological modelling
to estimate flood forecasts and to analyse data to monitor the impact of environmental changes on water flow.

 

Course:

All Geology related courses. See Geologist.
M.Sc Water Resources Engineering (NUIG) (PAC Code: GYE23)
M.Sc Hyrdrogeology (University of Birmingham) * UCAS system.

Journalist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Journalists research, write, edit, proofread and file news stories, features and articles for use on television and radio or within magazines, journals and newspapers. Some forms of journalism require an understanding of mathematics, such as explaining statistics on a topic to the general public (such as voting results). Other journalists may specialise in science journalism, so they would have to sometimes communicate complex scientific and mathematical concepts to a wider audience.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Statistics, Arithmetic.

Course:

BA Journalism (DCU) (Code: DC132)
M.Sc Science Communication (DCU) (Code: DC606)

Marine Biologist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A marine biologist is involved in the study of marine organisms, their behaviour and their interactions with the environment.

Marine biologists use mathematics to solve an array of complex problems, which frequently entails collecting and analsing data in various forms. They may use this data to make theoretical models and predictions, which are then sometimes used to enact policy changes. Foe example, estimating and prediction the population of salmon.
Marine biologists often use algebra and trigonometry to establish measurements. For example, in investigating how the light level at different depths affects the ability of algae to photosynthesize.
Marine Biologists are constantly using Remote Sensing, such as satellite Data to monitor the marine environment.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Statistics, Algebra, Trigonometry.

Course:

B.Sc Applied Freshwater & Marine Biology (GMIT) (Code:GA770)
B.Sc Marine Science (NUIG) (Code: GY310)
M.Sc Applied Science - Marine Biology (UCC) (Code:CKR38)

Market Analyst

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Marketing analysts study and evaluate market trends. The goal is to determine what products a company (or business) should produce and how to sell them. Business strategies and tactics are reliant upon marketing analysis, which is applicable to all industries that distribute a product or service.

Mark Analysts use mathematics to study trends in data, from basic statistical analysis to more sophistic mathematical models that can be used to forecast future market trends.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Statistics.

Course:

B.Bus Marketing (Cork, IT) (Code: CR420)
Social Media marketing (Athlone, IT) (Code: AL655)
M.Sc Digital Marketing and Analytics (The Marketing Institute of Ireland)

Medical Physicist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Medical physicists apply physics and technical skills to the practice of medicine to help prevent, diagnose and treat many kinds of diseases and health conditions. They research, develop and test specialist equipment used by medical staff in many areas including radiotherapy, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, laser technology and physiological monitoring.

Medical Physicists use mathematics in Radiation and Radio therapies – calculating dosages for beams and radioactive implants used in the treatment of cancers. Mathematics is also used for tomographic images, such at CAT scans.

 

Course:

B.Sc Physics with Biomedical Sciences (DCU) (Code:DC173)
B.Sc Physics with Medical Physics & Bioengineering (DIT) (Code:DT235)
M.Sc Medical Physics (NUIG)

Pharmacist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

 

 

Algebra, Arithmetic, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry.

Course:

Demo Content

Pilot

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Airline pilots fly passengers and/or cargo on long or short-haul flights for leisure, business or commercial purposes. There is more to the role than just flying the plane, which has to be done safely and economically. Prior to the flight, pilots check flight plans, ensure that the aircraft's controls are operating efficiently and calculate the required fuel for the flight.

Pilots use mathematics to calculate the rates of assent and decent of the aircraft, to estimate fuel consumption for a flight. They use trigonometry and coordinate geometry to plan flight routes.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Arithmetic.

Course:

Aer Lingus Pilot Cadet Scheme
B.Sc Aviation Management with Pilot Studies (DCU) (Code: DC117)

Plasterer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A plasterer is a tradesman who works with plaster, such as forming a layer of plaster on an interior wall or plaster decorative moldings on ceilings or walls.

 

Algebra, Arithmetic, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry.

Course:
Plumber

Career description and Mathematics involved:

The Plumber is responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining pipes, fixtures and other plumbing used for water distribution and waste water disposal in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Plumbers use mathematics for unit conversion (inches to centimeters), calculations of volumes of 3D objects (volumes of a heating cylinder), geometry (designing a plumbing system that's symmetric for buildings) and also an understanding of hydraulics (water under pressure creates tremendous force. As a plumber, you need the mathematical skills to measure and properly control that force).

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Geometry, Trigonometry.

Course:

All plumbers complete apprenticeships. For more specific details on apprenticeships, please click here.

Professional Photographer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Photographers use a variety of photographic equipment to make pictorial records of people, events, objects, items of fine art etc.

Photographers use mathematics in a n umber of ways. Changing the shutter speed adjusts how much light is allowed into the camera for a certain length of time. The camera's shutter speeds are calculated in fractions of seconds, which are usually 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1. Calculating the correct shutter speed to use is a matter of understanding geometric sequence. As you increase the speed from 1/1000 toward 1 second, each increase multiplies the amount of light entering the lens by a factor of 2. Other mathematical concepts the photographer needs to understand and utilise is the aperture and focal length.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Geometry.

Course:

Demo Content

Quantity Surveyor

Brief Career description and Mathematics involved:

A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final costs

 

They use mathematics to undertake cost analysis during the various phases throughout a project's lifetime.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Financial Mathematics, Area and Volume.

Career Pathway:

B.Sc. Quantity Surveying (DIT) part-time  (Course Code: DT107)
B.Sc. Quantity Surveying (IT Sligo)  (Course Code: SG343)
B.Sc. Quantity Surveying (Cork IT)  (Course Code: CR570)

Sports Scientist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Sport scientists assist sportspeople to achieve the best possible sporting performance by applying knowledge and techniques from the areas of biomedical science, physiology, biomechanics (the study of human movement), nutrition, psychology and sport assessment.

Sport Scientists use statistics to gauge an athlete's performance following a change to a training routine, etc. Advanced aerodynamics is used by professional cycling teams and F1 racing teams to tweak design for optimum efficiency. Biomechanics specialists study the forces acting upon the human body when it's in motion.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Statistics, Algebra.

Course:

B.Sc Sports Science & Health (IT, Tallaght) (Code: TA327)
B.Sc Sport & Exercise Sciences (UL) (Code: LM089)
B.Sc Sport Science (IT, carlow) (Code: CW178)

Statistician

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Statisticians are concerned with the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of quantitative information.

Statisticians design and manage experiments and surveys, and deal with the initial collection of data. They process and analyse the data in context, looking for patterns to help make decisions. They advise on findings and recommend strategy.

They use the mathematics of Statistics to collect data, plot data and interpret data. They also use Algebra and Calculus for mathematical models that help them understand the data collected.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Statistics, Algebra.

Course:

BA. Mathematics and Statistics (Open University) (Code: Q36)
H. Dip Statistics (UCC) (Code: CKO07)
M.Sc Statistics (NUIG) (Code: GYT83)

Stockbroker

Brief Career description and Mathematics involved:

A stockbroker is a professional that buys and sells stocks (or other securities such as funds and commodities) for private and institutional clients through a stock exchange in return for a fee or a commission.

The stockbroker uses mathematics to calculate the cost of the shares in the purchase, calculating their commission fee for the transaction, calculation of stamp duty and advising their clients on any taxes that must be paid.

Career Pathway:

The Professional Certificate in Stockbroking is the only educational route approved by the Irish Stock Exchange for gaining the designation Registered Stockbroker. Details can be found from The Institute of Banking (www.iob.ie).

Surveyor

Brief Career description and Mathematics involved:

Surveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of determining the three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them. A land surveying professional is called a land surveyor. These points are usually on the surface of the Earth, and they are often used to establish land maps and boundaries for ownership, locations like building corners or the surface location of subsurface features, or other purposes required by government or civil law, such as property sales.

Surveyors used mathematics especially geometry and trigonometry to calculate angles and distances between fixed points. The need to measure areas of irregular surfaces such as fields,

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Arithmetic, Geometry and Trigonometry, Area and Volume.

Career Pathway:

B.Sc. Geomatics (Surveying & Mapping) (DIT) (Course Code: DT112)
B.Sc Building Surveying (Limerick IT) (Course Code: LC240)

Teacher

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Teachers are involved in the social, intellectual, physical and moral development of pupils in their class. The teacher plans and delivers lessons, sets and marks assignments, works as a team-member within the wider school staff, and, as required, liaises with parents and other relevant individuals such as educational psychologists.

They use (i.e. teach) mathematics in their employment to deliver the curriculum set by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).

Course:

Demo Content

Theoretical Physicist

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A theoretical physicist studies the branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physical objects and systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena. This is in contrast to experimental physics, which uses experimental tools to probe these phenomena.

An advanced understanding of all major areas in mathematics is needed for theoretical physics.

Course:

BA Theoretical Physics (TCD) (Code: TR035)
B.Sc. Theoretical Physics & Mathematics (Maynooth) (Code: MH206)
B.Sc (Physics - degree options in Applied, Astrophysics, Biomedical, Theoretical) (NUIG) (Code: GY320)

University Lecturer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

A lecturer in university usually holds an open-ended position that involves carrying out both teaching and research. This will involve teaching courses set out on a programme of learning by a particular department.

Science, Engineering and Technical courses will have lecturers that specialise in mathematics teaching. They may also compliment their work by conducting advanced research. Such research will be published in peer reviewed journals.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: All aspects.

Course:

There is no specific course, however lecturers generally have an advanced degree such as a Masters or a PhD in their chosen research field.

Urban Planner

Brief Career description and Mathematics involved:

An urban planner (or Town and County Planner) is a professional who works in the field of urban planning. The objective of the planner is to harmonise the effectiveness of a community's land use and infrastructure. They develop plans for the development and management of urban, suburban and also rural areas, studying the land use compatibility as well as economic, environmental and social trends within the area.

Mathematics: Planners use mathematics to forecast future populations and their needs, modelling traffic congestion, designing specific areas such as town parks, type and position of street lighting, etc.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Probability & Statistics, Algebra, Financial Mathematics, Calculus.

Career Pathway:

B.A.  Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy (UCD)  Course Code: DN514
B.Sc. Planning & Environmental Management (DIT) Course Code: DT106

Post Graduate Courses:
MSc in Spatial Planning at (DIT)
Masters in Regional and Urban Planning (UCD)

Web Designer

Career description and Mathematics involved:

Web designers plan, create and code web pages, using both non-technical and technical skills to produce websites.

Web designers use mathematics such as coordinate geometry for the layout of a website template, they use ratios for the aspect of a site for example the use of the Golden Ratio or the Golden Triangle. An excellent article on the use of mathematics in web design can be found here.

Mathematics in the Curriculum: Coordinate Geometry, Symmetry, Arithmetic.

Course:

There are a large choice of Web Design courses in Ireland, both full time and part-time. For a course nearest to you, check Qualifax.

Web Design (Dublin Institute of Design)
Web Design (GMIT)