Mathematics

The purpose of the Mathematics program is to provide students with a wide variety of courses touching on the main areas of modern undergraduate mathematics.  In strengthening their critical reasoning skills and deepening their mathematical knowledge, students majoring in mathematics will obtain an excellent preparation for challenging and rewarding careers in education, business, and government work.

Courses in the program range from algebra and geometry to statistics, calculus, and differential equations. Students who pursue a teacher education degree can take a basic mathematics endorsement for teaching elementary and middle school, and an advanced endorsement for teaching high school. Plus, students who earn the advanced endorsement receive a minor in Mathematics. This program will also prepare students for advanced graduate work.

Career Opportunities

Popular careers related to the Mathematics major:

• Teacher (Elementary or Secondary)
• Lawyer
• Doctor of Medicine
• Quantitative Financial Market Analyst
• Actuary (Insurance)
• Statistician
• Researcher
• Government Mathematician (NSA, Department of Defense)

Additional careers, as highlighted by the American Mathematical Society, include:

• Air Traffic Controller
• Animator
• Architect
• Budget Analyst
• Cartographer
• Economist
• Market Research Analyst
• Mechanical Engineer
• Physician
• Political Scientist
• Psychometrician
• Technical Writer
• Urban Planner
• Video Game Developer

Campus Activities

One important aspect of the Mathematics major is the hands-on internship, which can be tailored to fit a student’s interest in any number of exciting career possibilities. Past internship locations have included tutoring math students at local colleges and various financial institutions. Math majors are also well represented at ACE Day (an event honoring Bushnell University Academic Creativity and Excellence). These presentations involve original research and a professional presentation.

Bushnell University Graduates

Recent graduates who majored in Mathematics have gone on to graduate programs in Statistics and Economics, gone into business and accounting, and taken positions as high school teachers across the state.

“Math is the canvas to God’s masterpiece.” -Scott Perkins ’13

“The thing I love about math is that you really begin to understand why things work the way they do. You may be able to generate a random number in excel, but do you know how it works?” -Lydia Bowling ’12

Courses in the Major

Requirements for Mathematics:

• Discrete Mathematics
• Calculus I & II
• Applied Statistics
• Linear Algebra
• Differential Equations
• Multivariable Calculus
• Mathematical Proofs and Reasoning
• Internship
• Senior Capstone
• Choose one of the following courses:
  • History of Mathematics
  • Special Topics
  • Topology
  • Advanced Data Analysis
  • Modern Algebra

Courses in the Minor

Requirements for the Minor:

• Discrete Mathematics
• Calculus I
• Calculus II
• Applied Statistics
• Choose six credits from the following:
  • Linear Algebra
  • Differential Equations
  • Multivariable Calculus