Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics

The aim of the Mathematics Department is to provide students with a sound background in both pure and applied Mathematics while inculcating respect for objective reasoning, clear ideas, and precise expression (elements which truly characterize a liberal arts education). Our goal is to make students sophisticated in the way they think and in the way they approach problems. This heightened sophistication should extend beyond the boundaries of Mathematics into other areas.

The Mathematics Department provides 1) a thorough undergraduate training in Mathematics for those desiring Mathematical careers in education, research, industry, and government, and 2) courses for those who wish to follow a limited programming Mathematics.

The student majoring in Mathematics receives a Bachelor of Arts degree. Double major and major-minor options are available to students in conjunction with chemistry, computers and information systems, computer science, biology, economics, and other disciplines. Interested students should consult with the department chairperson for specific information.

Degree Offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Compatible Majors and Minors

• Computer science
• Chemistry
• Economics
• Physics (minor)
• Secondary education

Special Features

• Small math classes
• Easy access to computers
• Major course sequence designed to steadily increase student sophistication
• Mathematics department facilities include access to a modern state-of-the-art computer laboratory and a student learning room.

Many have earned master’s degrees in mathematics, science, business, and education. Others have graduated from law school. Secondary mathematics teachers are always in demand. Many of our graduates are successful in business, industry and government. Many mathematics graduates are employed by insurance or investment companies. These companies, along with numerous government agencies and others from business and industry, are constantly seeking graduates with superior logical and technical skills. Mathematics majors easily fit this niche and thus are in high demand in a society which is rapidly becoming more quantitative. Most often mathematics graduates are hired because of their logical, quantitative, and technical capabilities and then trained by the employer to perform in their specific environment.

Our graduates have become mathematics teachers, research mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries, economists, computer scientists, engineers, lawyers, and medical doctors. Job placements of recent graduates include:

• National Security Agency
• Millers Life Insurance Agency
• Prudential Associates
• Met Life
• Bell Labs
• AT&T
• RCA
• Westinghouse
• Teaching both secondary and collegiate-level mathematics courses.

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Our graduates have earned doctorates from universities which include Brown, Cornell, Notre Dame and SUNY (mathematics); Penn State, SUNY, and VPI (statistics); Vanderbilt (engineering); MIT, University of Pennsylvania, and The Pennsylvania State University (chemistry); University of Pennsylvania (medicine); and Syracuse (economics).