Mathematics

Professor Katherine Socha with four St. Mary's students at their summer research internship in mathematics at IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis).

Mathematics students learn methods and techniques of problem solving and develop facility in the mathematical mode of thinking. They become acquainted with the major areas of current interest in mathematics, with the great achievements of the past, and with the fundamental problems of number, space, and infinity.

The mathematics minor is designed for all interested students, but it is particularly suited for students majoring in any of the sciences (including computer science) or economics, as well as students in the Teacher Education Program.

Drop in at the mathematics and computer science wing in the Schaefer science building and notice the vibrant atmosphere. Here, students and faculty form a close and welcoming community. They revel in these "difficult" majors:

"From the numerous interviews I've been on, and the contacts I've made, there is a pretty positive view of math majors from St. Mary's, especially within government agencies such as the IRS, USPS, OIG, and DCM. . . . The school is viewed favorably by many employers in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia area, and the mathematics major is considered one of the most difficult."

-- Lance Harris '00
(budget/cost analyst for Northrop Grumman and graduate student at Johns Hopkins in applied and computational math)

St. Mary's Project (SMP)

Mathematics is all about doing math. What better way than to become an expert in an area you care about with the help of a faculty mentor? SMP topics include:

Four-dimensional regular polytopes
Technology and literacy
Ethno-mathematics
Kakaya sets
Design, construction, and function of a sculling skiff
Four-color problem
Effects of teaching style on math anxiety and performance in middle school students
Connectivity problem in graphics

Life After St. Mary's

Mathematics prepares students for graduate work in mathematics, for teaching mathematics in secondary school, and for a variety of careers in mathematics-related fields in government, business, or industry. Math majors have pursued their Ph.D.s at schools including:

Catholic
Colorado State
Cornell
Edinburgh ( Scotland)
National University of Ireland ( Galway)
Temple
UNC-Chapel Hill
South Carolina

Texas-Austin
Virginia
Carnegie Mellon
Emory
George Washington
Johns Hopkins
Northeastern

Recent graduates have taken up the following careers:

Mathematician for NASA
Neuropsychologist at NIH (double-major with psychology)
Statistician for the IRS
High school math teacher
Researcher at the applied physics lab, Johns Hopkins

Special Opportunities

Internships let students develop their skills in the "real world." Test-drive a career with an internship such as those conducted by recent math majors:

NASA
Glenn Research Center
NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences
Wolfram Research
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Security Agency

For more information, visit the Math Department Web site at
http://www.smcm.edu/mathcs

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Aerial view of St. Mary's College of Maryland campus

St. Mary's College of Maryland
18952 E. Fisher Rd
St. Mary's City, MD 20686-3001
240-895-2000