Mathematics
major, minor
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Be more than just a number as a Saint Michael’s mathematics major. Math professors here are very proactive mentors. Through classroom discussions, out-of-class meetings, program-sponsored social events, emails, and phone calls, we share our passion for learning to help you make the most of your education. The required courses provide a strong foundation in the principal areas of mathematics while the electives offer an opportunity to tailor the program to individual needs. If you’re interested in a particular field, we’ll connect you with alumni working in those areas. Beginning your first year, we’ll inform and advise you about valuable enrichment opportunities such as research programs, conferences, and study abroad.
The major is designed to encompass diverse goals ranging from applied work in science or industry to teaching or graduate study. Along with pursuing the math major at Saint Michael’s, you can choose to minor or double major in another field. Many mathematics majors here also take courses in education, economics, computer science, engineering, as well as the lab sciences. We believe a background in mathematics will help you master the challenges that you will face in your future career.
Inside Look
Curriculum
Our faculty members have a wide range of expertise and interests: calculus of variations, geometric measure theory, partial differential equations, mathematical biology, mathematics education, mathematics pedagogy, complex analysis, mathematical statistics, probability, graph theory, and combinatorics. That allows you to investigate diverse topics in pure and applied mathematics. You’ll have opportunities to conduct and present research with professors on campus and with students and faculty from all around the country and even around the world.
By taking part in a research experience, you will have the chance to present and publish your work, as some of our students have done. Recent examples include the American Journal of Undergraduate Research and the Journal of Applied Mathematics.
Learn about the Pi Mu Epsilon honors society at Saint Michael’s
Careers
Mathematics majors are attractive to a wide variety of business and industrial firms, especially if the major is combined with some coursework in computer science, a natural science, economics or business. Many find work in the actuarial field or as analysts in the computer or communications industry. You might prepare to teach at the secondary school level by simultaneously completing education courses, including a semester of student teaching, which leads to state certification.
Many of our students go directly into the work force upon graduation. PricewaterhouseCoopers, Vermont Agency of Transportation, VIA Rail Canada, MacDonald’s Corporation, Epic Systems, U.S. Army, Merck, Liberty Mutual, Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Vermont Gas Systems, Galen Healthcare Systems, and MathWorks are just a few of the companies and institutions at which our recent graduates who were mathematics majors and minors now work. Our graduates are computer analysts, actuaries, consultants, and high school math teachers. They are also college professors, administrators, and researchers at places like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Clarkson University, Marquette University, NC State University, Sandia National Labs, and NSA.
A number of our students pursue advanced degrees. As a math major at Saint Michael’s, you can prepare for graduate programs in pure or applied mathematics or in statistics. You can also prepare for medical school, law school, or graduate work in mathematics intensive fields such as bioinformatics or economics by combining the math major with other Saint Michael’s courses in education, computer science, a natural science, economics or business.
After graduation, our majors go on to careers like:
- Business, Finance, and Investment Banking
- Accounting and Tax Services
- Mathematics Education
- Actuarial Analysis
- Medical School
- Computer Science and Software Development
- Data and Statistical Analysis
- Operations and Administration
- Research and Development
- Careers in mathematics intensive fields such as bioinformatics and economics
Faculty
Contact
Michael Larsen
Director, Program in Analytics, Computing, and Data Science
Jeanmarie Hall 259, Box 169
mlarsen@smcvt.edu
802.654.2399
Ready to take the next step?
Learning and exciting opportunities await you at Saint Michael’s College.