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Mathematics (Pure) Major

School of Science and Engineering

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Mathematics and Statistics Department

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

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OVERVIEW

Discovering, understanding and explaining abstract mathematical structures is at the core of mathematics.

At BW, the mathematics major includes advanced study in algebra and calculus. Its broad-based, theoretical focus provides a foundation for understanding and utilizing mathematical concepts and techniques for a variety of problem-solving applications.

Mathematics provides analytical rigor and practical application. It is an outstanding major for teacher education as well as graduate study in areas like technology, finance, medicine and law.

  • Mathematics professor instructing student
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    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.

Career Opportunities

Mathematics is the underlying structure of knowledge and logic. It is a framework for describing and predicting observable phenomena.

Proficiency of mathematics can be beneficial to careers in science (such as solving global challenges involving energy sources, climate change and public health), operations research, engineering, business and technology. Government and private laboratories employ mathematicians to assist with the development of new technology.

A bachelor's degree in pure mathematics can be combined with education for teacher licensure, or can be a stepping stone to graduate programs.

Mathematics Major

Mathematician is Top Profession

The job outlook for mathematicians is projected to increase by 28 percent from 2016-26, according to U.S. Department of Labor.

Understanding Pure and Applied Mathematics

Practical application is at the core of applied mathematics. It offers a concrete methodology for which modeling, predicting and explaining 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.

Become a Teacher

Interested in Becoming a Math Teacher?

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

CURRICULUM

Mathematics is a comprehensive and rigorous major and minor. It is an outstanding companion field of study for disciplines like science, business, computer science, economics and health sciences. View a full list of courses and course descriptions for the mathematics (pure) major.

The mathematics (pure) major prepares students to:

  • Acquire a solid background in traditional undergraduate mathematics, including depth of knowledge in calculus and linear algebra and breadth of knowledge in applied and theoretical mathematics
  • Understand the deductive structure of mathematics and be able to write convincing and cogent mathematical proofs
  • At the 200-level, be able to write a number of types of basic proof, including direct proof and proof by mathematical induction
  • Understand the deductive structure of mathematics and be able to write convincing and cogent mathematical proofs
  • In the upper division, be able to write more complex proofs specific to such mathematical areas as number theory, advanced calculus, abstract algebra, and geometry
  • Learn a wide variety of techniques useful for mathematical and/or statistical modeling
  • Use common technological tools in the service of mathematics
  • Use a computer algebra system to perform the following operations basic to precalculus and calculus: graphing in two and three dimensions, differentiation, and integration
  • Use common technological tools in the service of mathematics
  • Write programs in a high-level programming language
  • Use common technological tools in the service of mathematics
  • In statistics at the 200-level or above, be able to use specialized statistics software for data analysis

BW related programs include:

Course Catalog

Course Descriptions

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

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Small class sizes, individual attention and faculty mentoring are at the core of BW's pure mathematics program.

Students benefit from experiential learning initiatives like research, independent study, internships and co-curricular activities. Opportunities include:

STUDENT CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Math Club

The math club's purpose is to stimulate interest in mathematics, serve the community and foster a community among students interested in mathematics.

Kappa Mu Epsilon

This organization is the National Mathematics Honor Society. Its members 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 annual, renewable scholarships of up to $5,000.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Nearly all BW mathematics majors who have applied have been accepted into graduate programs. The most common areas of study are mathematics, statistics, management science, business and computer science.

Recent BW mathematics graduates are finding their success in a variety of careers and in graduate, law and professional schools across the country, including Johns Hopkins University; Miami University of Ohio; The Ohio State University; The University of Chicago; Clemson University; Bowling Green State University; Case Western Reserve University; University of California, Berkeley; Georgia Institute of Technology; New York University; University of Connecticut; and University of Virginia School of Law.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

Melissa PalettaMelissa Paletta '13 is high school math teacher at Westerville City Schools in Ohio. She is pursuing an M.A. with a STEM specialization at The Ohio State University. At BW, the Dublin, Ohio, native majored in mathematics, minored in education and gained valuable teaching experience as a tutor in the BW Learning Center.

Nicole BatesNicole Bates '11 is planning analyst for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Orlando, Fla. She is pursuing a master's in mathematics at University of West Florida. BW professors opened her eyes to the variety of careers available to mathematics majors and taught her to think critically. Nicole is from Elyria, Ohio.

Dragan TrninicDragan Trninic '05 is research scientist at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. He holds a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. BW professors helped him clarify his personal direction and professional identity while encouraging him to explore his diverse interests. He is from Lakewood, Ohio.

Christopher LuzniakChristopher Luzniak '04 is instructor and chair of the mathematics department at The Archer School in Los Angeles. Small class sizes at BW enabled the Garfield Heights, Ohio, native to develop close relationships with mathematics professors who helped him define his goals and identify his individual career path.

Amy NowackiAmy Nowacki '02 is associate professor of medicine, epidemiology and biostatistics at Case Western Reserve University and associate staff biostatistician in the quantitative health sciences department at the Lerner Research Institute. From Saegertown, Pa., she holds an M.S. in mathematics and a Ph.D. in biostatistics.

Joshua JohnstonJoshua Johnston '01 is director of health enabling technologies at the Cleveland Clinic. At BW, he learned to analyze a problem using multiple perspectives and disciplines, a skill that has been essential to his success. From Parma, Ohio, he holds a doctorate in engineering applied mathematics from The University of Akron.

Duke HutchingsDuke Hutchings '00 is associate professor at Elon University in N.C. He holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Georgia Institute of Technology. At BW, faculty mentors connected him to a variety of research and experiential learning opportunities that prepared him for graduate studies. He is from Victor, N.Y.

Justin Tobias headshotJustin Tobias '94 is professor and head of the department of economics and senior associate dean of the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. He has also held faculty positions at Iowa State and California - Irvine. His Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago. Justin is from Vermilion, Ohio.

FACULTY

Brent Strunk

Chair, Mathematics and Statistics 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

Aaron Montgomery

Coordinator, Data Science & Analytics
Ph.D., University of Oregon

Aaron Montgomery

Amy Nowacki

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

Amy Nowacki

Lecturer of Mathematics
M.S., Statistics, The Ohio State University

Sally Sikorski

Peggy Slavik

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

Peggy Slavik

Full-Time Faculty

Brent Strunk
Chair, Mathematics and Statistics Department
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., Purdue University

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

Laura Croyle
Assistant 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 and Computer Science
ED.D., University of Cincinnati

Maria Mathews
Instructor
Math Placement Administrator
M.A., The Ohio State University

Aaron Montgomery
Coordinator, Data Science & Analytics
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., University of Oregon

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

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

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

Sally A. Sikorski
Lecturer in Mathematics
M.S., The Ohio State University

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