The undergraduate programs in Mathematics and Statistics have the following objectives:

  • Students in algebra courses develop the algebra skills needed in later courses.
  • Students in general education courses gain an understanding of mathematics as a language in which to express, define and answer questions about the world.
  • Students in courses that serve the sciences and engineering, particularly calculus and linear algebra courses, develop technical skills, learn to apply mathematical tools and develop an understanding of the mathematical basis for those tools.
  • Students in statistics courses develop an understanding of the basic concepts of probability and statistics and learn how to use statistical tools in real-life problems.
  • Education students with a mathematics teaching major or minor gain a basic understanding of several areas of mathematics, develop a sense for exploring mathematics and learn to read, write and present mathematics.
  • Mathematics majors become acquainted with the major branches of the discipline, learn to read and write mathematics and develop the mathematical skills and general knowledge necessary for employment or for graduate work in mathematics or other fields.