Mathematics embodies the spirit of the liberal arts: mathematics is an art, a pure science, a language and an analytical tool for the natural and social sciences, a means of exploring philosophical questions, and a beautiful edifice that is a tribute to human creativity.

Students may major in mathematics in preparation for work or further study in any of a variety of fields. In addition to traditional fields such as pure mathematics, mathematical physics, statistics, operations research and actuarial science, there are a growing number of opportunities in interdisciplinary fields, such as mathematical economics, biostatistics, biomathematics, bioinformatics, environmental engineering, and scientific visualization. Students may prepare for teaching mathematics in secondary school through a sequence of courses in the department and in the Department of Educational Studies.