Academics

The Department of Mathematics offers a variety of undergraduate majors and minors, as well as several graduate degrees at the master's level. Some programs are joint with the Department of Statistics.

Study in the field of mathematics emphasizes careful problem analysis, precision of thought and expression, and the mathematical skills needed for work in many other areas. Fields in which mathematics plays a major role include actuarial science, astronomy, chemistry, physics, computer science, economics, engineering, biology, geophysics, oceanography, meteorology, linguistics, cryptology, seismology and ecology.

Many important problems in government, private industry, health and environmental fields, and the academic world require sophisticated mathematical techniques for their solution. The study of mathematics provides specific analytical and quantitative tools, as well as general problem-solving skills, for dealing with these problems. Although many of these applications involve computers, there is a growing demand for graduates with broad mathematical training in addition to experience with computers.

The College of Arts and Science offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics, and two Bachelor of Science degrees: one in Mathematics, and one in Mathematics and Statistics. The Arts degree allows a broader range of studies, while the B.S. degrees provide a more technical education. Licensure to teach mathematics in secondary schools is an integral part of the B.S. degree in Integrated Mathematics Education (offered by the College of Education, Health, and Society). Minors are also offered in mathematics, actuarial science, and operations research methods.

For information on a major or minor in statistics, please contact the Department of Statistics.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Critical Thinking: Students will develop critical thinking skills that enable them to determine the validity of a given argument and will be able to construct mathematical arguments independently.
  2. Content Knowledge: Students will demonstrate depth of knowledge in the core content areas of mathematics and apply content knowledge to solve complex mathematical problems.
  3. Communicating Mathematical Ideas: Students will demonstrate the ability to clearly and effectively communicate mathematical ideas in writing in a manner appropriate for an identified audience.