As a course of study, mathematics offers a doorway to many exciting fields. While students of mathematics and statistics pursue their talent for finding innovative solutions to complex problems, they often acquire expertise in other fields, such as physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering, and computer science.
Statistics is an information science as well as a mathematical science. Over the past century, the increase in human understanding of the natural world has accelerated tremendously due to the invaluable contributions made by empirical statistical methods. Examples of settings where statisticians play key roles are quality control and reliability within business, industry and healthcare; sample survey work, opinion polls and marketing research; and actuarial science, among many others.
Major in Mathematics or Statistics
Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences, Major in Mathematics -- an extensive program in mathematics complemented with study in an allied field using mathematics in its applications;
Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences, Major in Statistics -- an extensive program in statistics with a focus in applied statistical methods and a firm foundation in mathematics;
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Mathematics -- a flexible program through the College of Arts & Sciences providing mathematics in the context of a liberal arts degree, allowing a wide range of double majors and minors, as well as the option of a Concentration in Statistics.
Bachelor of Science in Data Science -- The study of Data Science with a heavy focus towards Statistical and Computational approaches toward data acquisition, cleaning and analysis.
Each of these programs requires ancillary courses to ensure a broad education with skills in communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. With careful planning, the ancillary and distribution requirements of the degree Math or Stat can actually satisfy other degree requirements. For example, one can obtain a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Economics, or a B.S. in Math and a B.S. in Chemistry within the usual 120 required credit hours.
Consult the online catalogue and the Handbook for Majors for detailed degree requirements.
Undergraduate Research
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers opportunities for conducting individual research projects in various areas of mathematics and statistics.
This offering may take place through a Special Topics course (Math 195 or 295) with a faculty advisor, and is normally available to juniors, seniors and first-year graduate students who have already done some course work in the subject area. This work can also lead to an honors thesis.
Examples of recent or current project areas include research into combinatorial game theory and surreal numbers, graph theory.
For more information, see our faculty's areas of research.