EMPOWER YOUR MIND
Become acquainted with the “Queen of the Sciences” to prepare for further study or a career in any of a wide variety of fields.
Mathematics Major
Explore the infinite and the infinitesimal, logic and reasoning, patterns and structure, use probability and equations to model the real world, and master the language that’s used to describe and study scientific phenomena, and social and statistical trends.
What Will I Learn?
All of our majors learn how to study and describe continuous processes with calculus and multivariable calculus, how to understand multidimensional phenomena using linear algebra, how to study symmetry and structure using abstract algebra, and how to apply logic to deduce and prove theorems.
The department regularly offers optional courses in:
- Differential equations
- Probability and statistics
- Financial mathematics
Independent study courses can be arranged in other subjects like:
- Number theory
- Cryptography
- Optimization
- Topology
- Geometry
What is Unique About Our Program?
All of our courses from the introductory level upward are taught by full-time faculty, not by teaching assistants. At the advanced level, classes are often small, so students can enjoy individual attention from their instructors.
What Are My Career Opportunities?
Teaching Mathematics
About 40 percent of our mathematics majors plan to become K–12 teachers. Good K–12 mathematics teachers are always in demand. A few of our majors do graduate studies in mathematics and end up teaching at the college level.
Many Careers Besides Teaching
You may be one of those students who likes mathematics, but who does not want to teach, and who wonders what else can be done with a mathematics major. There are umpteen career opportunities for you! They are challenging and interesting.
Here is a sampling of what you might consider. Some of these fields require study beyond the undergraduate degree. For many you will find companies willing to employ you while you are doing these studies and to pay for your studies. For some of these careers it is a good idea to combine the mathematics major with a minor in a related field.
- Actuarial science
- Applied mathematician
- Biostatistician
- Computer programming
- Cryptographer
- Financial analyst
- Operations research/management science
- College professor