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Mathematics Major

School of Science and Engineering

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Mathematics and Statistics Department

(440) 826-5944, bstrunk@bw.edu

OVERVIEW

Taught by faculty who are committed to your growth, the mathematics major is a versatile program that provides you with a foundation of pure and applied mathematics, leading to a wide range of career opportunities.

Mathematics major students
BW mathematics students involved in a library circulation study showcased their findings on campus in addition to presenting to their organizational client.

Do you want to use your love for mathematics in your future career? Mathematicians excel in ingenuity, analysis and problem-solving. As a mathematics major, you will build outstanding mathematical, computational and communication skills.

Students often pair the mathematics major with a companion field of study such as computer science, physics, finance, or data science, a powerful combination that adds depth to the mathematics major. Many students choose to pursue graduate study in the mathematical sciences to further broaden career opportunities.

If you love mathematics and want to use it to contribute to the workplace, BW’s mathematics program offers an excellent foundation.


Applied Mathematics vs. Pure Mathematics

Practical application is at the core of applied mathematics. It offers a concrete methodology for which modeling, predicting and explaining how things in the real world can be done in an orderly manner.

Pure mathematics focuses on mathematical theory and is more broad-based. While there is significant overlap and both offer career-preparative benefits, the selection of one discipline over the other relates to an individual's career goals.

Within the mathematics major, students will have the opportunity to choose the applied mathematics or pure mathematics pathway.


Interested in Becoming a Math Teacher?

If you would like to become a mathematics teacher, BW has an outstanding teacher education program.


What Can You Do with a Mathematics Degree?

Our alumni have flourished in business, industry, government, and secondary and higher education. They are skilled problem solvers and bring a quantitative perspective that is highly prized in the workplace. Many BW mathematics alumni also choose to attend graduate programs in mathematics.

Mathematics graduates have worked for employers such as Cleveland Clinic, KeyBank, USPS, Hyland Software, Walt Disney World and Progressive.

After graduation, there are a variety of career paths you may choose from including:

  • Operations research analyst
  • Mathematical statistician
  • Data analyst
  • Financial analyst
  • Business intelligence developer
  • Inventory management
  • Fraud data & business intelligence
  • Manager of data science

CURRICULUM

Mathematics majors will consult with their academic advisors and can specialize by choosing the pure or applied track through the major. Students in the mathematics program take foundational courses and participate in a senior-level research experience. All math majors also receive a background in computing. The curriculum is designed to provide rigorous training in the subject combined with elective options offering flexibility.

Course Catalog

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

As a mathematics major you will enjoy small classes with faculty who know you and are committed to your learning. We offer numerous opportunities on and off campus to present your work to the public.

Many of our students complete internships, which can lead to full-time employment. The mathematics program is housed in the University’s beautiful Knowlton Center, an ideal location for study, collaboration, and community.

State-of-the-Art STEM Center

BW's Knowlton Center provides students with innovative learning experiences in engineering, mathematics, computer science and physics that will enable them to explore cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, mathematical modeling and simulation, robotics and optics while connecting with industry leaders.

Knowlton Center


STUDENT CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Kappa Mu Epsilon

Members of this national mathematics honorary society have achieved standards of scholarship, professional merit and academic distinction.

Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program

The BW Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program is open to Ohio residents who are entering Baldwin Wallace in the fall as a first-year student or transfer student and are interested in mathematics. Students are eligible to apply to the program which also offers the Choose Ohio First scholarship, awarding substantial annual, renewable scholarships.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Harry Rouse Harry Rouse '22. “I am working toward a master’s in pure mathematics at Bowling Green State University. BW math faculty showed passion for the subject and inspired me to further my mathematical study. My courses prepared me to hit the ground running as a graduate student; the skills I learned in my research are invaluable to my current work on my thesis.”

Sophia Weidner Sophia Weidner ’20, Planning Statistical Associate, Walt Disney World. “My time in the mathematics program and on the women's soccer team taught me vital communication and problem-solving skills. I've been fortunate to keep in touch with many professors; I would not have had the opportunity to build these relationships at a larger university.”

Katie Wohlford Katie Wohlford '19, Fraud Data & BI Senior Associate, KeyBank. “The supplemental assistance I received from my professors outside of standard course work allowed me to advance my coding skills, resulting in meaningful internships and early graduation.”

Hastrings Marek Hastings Marek '17, Mathematician, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “I had the best academic advisors who helped design my career path, aided in admittance to graduate school, and served as references. I attended graduate school at the College of Charleston, receiving a master’s in environmental and sustainability studies.”

FACULTY

Brent Strunk

Chair, Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department
Ph.D., Purdue University

Brent Strunk

Lecturer of Mathematics
M.A., Mathematics, John Carroll University

Barbara Aylward

Laura Croyle

Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Ph.D., Mathematics, University of Kentucky

Laura Croyle

Chungsim Han

Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., Brandeis University

Chungsim Han

Amy Nowacki

Lecturer
Ph.D., Biostatistics, Medical University of South Carolina

Amy Nowacki

Peggy Slavik

Associate Professor
Ph.D., Mathematics Education, Kent State University

Peggy Slavik

Full-Time Faculty

Brent Strunk
Chair, Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., Purdue University

David T. Calvis
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., University of Michigan

Laura Croyle
Associate Professor, Mathematics
Ph.D., University of Kentucky

Melissa Dennison
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., University of Illinois

Chungsim Han
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., Brandeis University

Catherine Lane
Associate Professor, Mathematics
Ed.D., University of Cincinnati

Peggy Slavik
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Core Mathematics Coordinator
Ph.D., Kent State University

Adjunct Faculty

Barbara T. Aylward
Lecturer in Mathematics
M.A. Mathematics, John Carroll University

Lauren Brubaker
Lecturer in Mathematics
M.S., Mathematics, University of Akron

John Domanski
Lecturer in Mathematics
M.S.E.E., Cleveland State University

Amy Nowacki
Lecturer in Mathematics
Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina

Viviane Nguyen
Lecturer in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science
Ph.D, North Carolina A and T State University

Matthew Perkins
Lecturer in Mathematics
M.S., Mathematics, Cleveland State University

Christine Strunk
Lecturer in Mathematics
Ph.D., Purdue University