What Qualifies Someone as a Mathematician?

[nukeman]

To be a mathematician, what do you have to do? Just get a BSc in Math? Or does it require a PhD ?

Just curious. Thanks guys!

 

[Landau]

That's a pretty nonsensical/uninteresting question. It depends on what you mean by "being a mathematician", there is no universal definition thereof. Having done original research might be part of such a definition, and most BSc students don't have this (but some do).

 

[nukeman]

That's a pretty nonsensical/uninteresting question. It depends on what you mean by "being a mathematician", there is no universal definition thereof. Having done original research might be part of such a definition, and most BSc students don't have this (but some do).

THanks,

What I meant is, if someone said they were a Mathematician, what does that mean? THey have a Degree In math? Type of work? Research? PHd in math? What does it take to call your self a mathematician?

Same with a physicist? What makes a physicist a physicist ?

 

[Landau]

I think it means that they at least have a degree in mathematics. I would consider someone with a MSc in mathematics and a job outside of academia involving some mathematics still a mathematician. But other people might only call someone a mathematician if he has a PhD and is doing research at a university.

 

[DrummingAtom]

Your question is so incredibly vague, why not just do a search for these things? If you do/practice Math then you're a Mathematician. If you do/practice Physics then you're a Physicist. If you're a professional of either of these then you would need to have certain criteria, such as getting money for your work. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematician

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physicist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional

 

[mathwonk]

a book on how to be a magician i read as a kid suggested that you are a magician if you can do one trick well. so maybe a mathematician is someone who has discovered or proved one result semi - independently?

or maybe you are one if you think you are?