Indiana University East’s School of Natural Science and Mathematics (NSM) will soon offer two new online degree programs in the mathematical sciences. In addition to the existing Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, students will be able to enroll in a B.S. in Applied Statistics and a B.S. in Actuarial Sciences. Both programs are specialized areas within the mathematical sciences and are offered online. Enrollment in courses for the degree programs begins spring 2023.

The two new programs are offered as a collaboration between the regional campuses of Indiana University.

“Students in this online program will have access to the skills and expertise from faculty across the state, from Gary to New Albany, without ever needing to set foot on any campus,” said Markus Pomper, dean of the NSM at IU East. “At the same time, IU East will provide its personalized services to our online students, from advising and financial aid, online student clubs, research with faculty, to career counseling.”

The B.S. in Actuarial Sciences is designed to prepare students for a sequence of professional exams by the Society of Actuaries. Actuaries typically find employment in the insurance or in the financial sector, where they use mathematical tools in order to price the financial assets that are dependent on uncertain future events. An actuary might work in banking and perform capital management and risk analysis, or they might work with a pension fund to determine what contributions need to be made in the present in order to be able to pay pensions for future retirees.

The B.S. in Applied Statistics will provide students with the ability to analyze data and to develop statistical models. They design studies involving large data sets, use mathematical tools to develop statistical models, and use software packages to assist analyzing the data. Statisticians may design drug trials for the pharmaceutical industry, or model the spread of diseases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or may help build weather and climate forecasts.

Young You, associate professor of mathematics at IU East, is equally excited about the career prospects of the campus’ future graduates.

“With the advent of decision-making based on data, applied statistics and actuarial sciences have been the backbone of state-of-the-art AI technology like machine learning or data science,” You said. “Applied statistics and actuarial sciences graduates in data-driven areas will have a competitive advantage in the knowledge economy. Government agencies, insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the AI industry, are all vying for graduates with this skill set.”

About the IU East School of Natural Science and Mathematics
The IU East School of Natural Science and Mathematics offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees and programs in biochemistry, human life science, mathematics, sustainability studies and general studies. Students have access to the most modern techniques and research facilities, opportunities to pursue independent research projects and to learn from faculty mentors one-on-one. For more information, visit https://www.iue.edu/nsm/index.html.

About IU East Online Programs
IU East’s online degree programs offer the high quality of an Indiana University degree to students throughout Indiana, nationally and internationally. IU East offers 52 options for students to complete a bachelor’s degree or certificate online in English with an emphasis in Technical and Professional Writing, Mathematics, Natural Science and Mathematics with a Mathematics Concentration, Communication Studies, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Psychology, General Studies, an R.N. to B.S.N. Mobility Option, and more. IU East also offers a Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Mathematics.