Undergraduate Degree Programs
The Department of Mathematics offers three degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics. This is a testament to the fact that mathematics is, at the same time, both a subject of the greatest inherent depth and beauty with a history extending from antiquity, and also a powerful tool for understanding our world.
By studying mathematics, you'll be introduced to fundamental fields"algebra, real and complex analysis, geometry and topology"and to the practice of applying mathematical ideas in the real world. Our curriculum includes courses in calculus, linear algebra, abstract algebra, real and complex analysis, topology, differential geometry, differential equations, number theory, combinatorics, statistics and probability, dynamical systems, numerical methods, modeling, and optimization. As a mathematics major, you'll be well prepared for graduate study, as well as for a career in scientific research, finance and actuarial science. Whatever path you choose, we also want you to love mathematics for its own sake. As Albert Einstein said, "Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas."
Applications of mathematics to physics, biology, chemistry, economics and social sciences have proved particularly fruitful, and have led to the development of new mathematical tools and methods. The Applied Mathematics major will introduce students to the essential tools used in such applications. It will prepare students for professional careers in public institutions, research centers or private companies using quantitative methods (such as modeling, data analysis or optimization) to understand and solve complex real-world problems.