The two semester sequence, Probability and Mathematical Statistics, is commonly found at other institutions, but the other courses in the major may be more difficult to find elsewhere. There are now many opportunities to work in an area related to your major and to receive a stipend. An undergraduate research program is offered at Mount Holyoke every summer for students interested in mathematics and statistics, and similar programs exist at other colleges and universities. Summer and January internships are available at business and research laboratories. Many students follow up a summer program after the junior year with related independent work in the senior year, perhaps culminating in an honors thesis.
Faculty welcome a wide range of proposals for independent projects.
All seniors doing independent work are encouraged to report on their projects at the annual Science Symposium in April. Many students enter the job market and return later for advanced degrees. Students interested in this area should plan to cover the material that is included in the first two actuarial exams as part of their undergraduate program. This material is included in Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, and Probability, along with Macroeconomic Theory, Microeconomic Theory, and the Economics of Corporate Finance. Students are encouraged to obtain experience through an internship.