Mathematics B.A.

The mission of the discipline is to advance knowledge of mathematics by teaching mathematics and its processes, by research in mathematics and mathematical pedagogy, and by dissemination of this knowledge to students and the community we serve.

Historically, the study of mathematics has been central to a liberal arts education. The mathematics curriculum serves as an integral part of students' active pursuit of a liberal arts education. The mathematics program serves students who major or minor in mathematics, seek secondary mathematics teaching licensure, major or minor in programs that require a mathematical background, or wish to fulfill components of a general education.

The mathematics curriculum is designed to help students develop competence in problem-solving, mathematical techniques, and methods; to sharpen students' mathematical intuition and abstract reasoning, as well as their quantitative literacy. The curriculum is also designed to encourage and stimulate the type of independent and critical thinking required for research beyond the confines of the textbook. It provide students with the basic knowledge and skills to make mathematical contributions to modern society. The mathematics program enables students to do in-depth and independent mathematics-related research projects that require students to integrate their mathematical knowledge from different areas, and to enhance their communication skills by way of written reports and oral presentations. The program seeks to enable students to observe and communicate how the development of mathematics has been part of historical and current cultural and scientific developments. The curriculum prepares students to enter graduate school, pursue careers in applied mathematics, or teach mathematics.