Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Mathematics is to prepare students for professional work or postgraduate study in mathematical data analysis and modeling or in mathematics education by both developing their competencies with core mathematical concepts and providing them with the experience of engaging in mathematical research.
Graduate Outcomes
Program graduates:
- Demonstrate competence in a variety of mathematical subfields, including calculus, linear algebra, probability & statistics, data analysis, modeling, and mathematical proof.
- Read and understand primary mathematical and/or scientific literature.
- Write mathematic and/or scientific research proposals and papers.
- Give effective spoken presentations on mathematical and/or scientific research.
Experiential Learning
The Mathematics major embraces undergraduate research at all levels. Students will learn to read and develop an understanding of the connections between the research materials of others, begin to pose their own, relevant mathematical questions, develop techniques that systematically answer these questions, and finally, report authoritatively upon their work to others in their field. All of this will take place within the mathematical context of modeling and analyzing today’s very large data sets. Through this realistic practice of mathematical research, graduates will be well prepared to continue their work in a professional/academic/industrial setting or to become secondary educators who can adeptly teach the value and purpose of their mathematical skills to their own students.
Assessment
The graduate outcomes for the BS: Mathematics major are assessed at various stages of the students’ development within the program. In general, this means that the students’ research and scientific communication skills will be assessed both near the beginning and end of their academic careers. In addition, all students pursuing a BS: Mathematics degree are assessed in their mastery of core skills drawing from calculus, linear algebra, probability & statistics, data analysis, modeling, and mathematical proof. The details of these assessment activities may be found in the program assessment plan, which may be obtained from the Department of Mathematics.
Note: In order to receive credit toward a BS: Mathematics Major, students must earn a B- or higher in STAT 121 - Probability and all courses listed in the Core Requirements.
