Mathematics (BS)

Federal CIP: 27.0101 Mathematics, General

Mathematics teaches patience, discipline, and step-by-step problem-solving skills. For those with a substantial background in mathematics, a large number of career opportunities are available. Careers that require a very strong background in mathematics are often listed in the top ten best jobs, and the majority of the top fifty jobs involve mathematical reasoning and knowledge according to the Jobs Rated Almanac. A major in mathematical science could prepare you for teaching, graduate school in various mathematical areas, and many professional opportunities such as an actuary, operations research analyst, statistician, research scientist, inventory strategist, cryptologist, robotics engineer, geophysical mathematician, geodesist, civil engineer, and geomatics engineer. Some of these professions require additional work outside of the mathematical sciences. Besides schools, colleges, and universities, some of the employers who hire those with strong mathematical skills are the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Census Bureau, insurance companies, IBM Corporation, U.S. Dept. of Energy, Goddard Space Flight Center, and many others.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mathematics are expected to:

• discuss the human context of development of mathematics and the relationship of mathematics to the broad human historical, philosophical, and cultural heritage (Development of Mathematics);
• integrate Christian faith with learning in the mathematical sciences, including approaching current ethical issues in mathematics from a biblical perspective (Integration of faith);
• recognize, identify, and use concepts and generalizations of mathematics, including algebra, calculus, discrete mathematics, geometry, and probability and statistics (descriptive and inferential) to solve problems and apply the concepts to real-world examples (Recognizing, identifying and using concepts);
• reason abstractly, construct logical arguments, and analyze arguments to determine their validity (Mathematical reasoning); and
• competently work with a variety of number systems and represent and interpret graphical information (Using systems and information).