The body of mathematical knowledge that has grown over the past 2,000 years is a magnificent human achievement, and it is growing more rapidly than ever before. The habits of systematic and creative thought developed in the study of mathematics are recognized as invaluable in most areas of human endeavor. The department has a sound program in mathematics with a proven record of preparing students for successful graduate study at the very best universities in the nation. There are sequences of courses in calculus, advanced calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, number theory, abstract algebra, topology, geometry, statistics, complex analysis, and mathematical analysis. Students of mathematics who do not go to graduate school are well prepared for industrial, governmental, or teaching jobs if they have some additional exposure to computer science, education, or one of the natural, social, or applied sciences.
Applied mathematics provides a broad arena for intellectual and creative impulses of people.
The B.S. in applied mathematics allows a choice of the actuarial science, computation, operations research, scientific, or statistics options. Each of these is discussed briefly below. Many students interested in applications of mathematics pursue a joint major in some other department. Actuarial Science Option. An actuary applies mathematics and statistics to forecasting problems.