Pattern and form surround us—from the branching angles of blood vessels and the complexity of computer algorithms to inventory scheduling and the four-dimensional geometry of our universe. The pure expression of pattern and form, mathematics provides the language for science.

Many disciplines have been virtually transformed by the infusion of mathematics, so that alongside the traditional field of mathematical physics, one now finds disciplines such as mathematical biology, mathematical ecology, mathematical economics, mathematical linguistics and mathematical psychology.

  • The logical and precise yet intuitive and creative habits of mind instilled by the serious study of abstract mathematics
  • Celebrating the special joy of March 14
  • Pondering questions like “how many twin primes are there?” 
  • Puzzles and patterns
  • Creating and building computer models and apps
  • Mastering the language for science and being more articulate in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and economics
  • Economics
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Spanish
  • Theater art
  • Religious studies

 

Life After Lawrence

Lawrentians can enjoy careers in...

Actuarial science, economics, accounting, finance/investing, econometrics, business/management, information technology, consulting, secondary and higher education, software engineering

Recent employers include...

Apple, Google, Epic Systems, Northwestern Mutual, LinkedIn, Pixar, Nintendo, ING Bank Turkey, US Bank, Intel Corporation, Amazon, Stanford University,  JP Morgan Chase, Citi

Lawrentians can earn advanced degrees in...

Mathematics, computer science, business (MBA), economics, music performance, physics, health & medical administration services

Recent schools include...

Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, Purdue, Wisconsin, Oregon State, University of Colorado, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Michigan 

Two majors

To reflect the diversity of modern mathematics and its applications, we offer a major in mathematics and, in conjunction with the economics department, a major in mathematics-economics (core math major with additional focused courses in economics).

A deep curriculum

Elective coursework in mathematics allows you to focus your major to prepare for a variety of directions after Lawrence: pure and applied mathematics, operations research, computer science, statistics and actuarial science, engineering and secondary teaching.

Geometry in the humming of strings … music in the spaces of spheres

Pythagoras was right: mathematics and music go hand in hand. Not surprisingly, our mathematics major fits well into the 5-year double degree program, leading to a B.A. from the college and a B.Mus. from the conservatory. 

Fluency in the universal language

Deepen your mathematical (and intercultural) fluency with study abroad programs focused on math, including the Budapest Semester in Mathematics, Math in Moscow and the Lawrence University London Centre.

Components of the Major

  • Mathematics major

  • Complete or place out of Calculus I, II, and III
  • One from: Differential Equations with Linear Algebra; Applied Combinatorics; Probability
  • Foundations of Algebra
  • Foundations of Analysis
  • Four upper-level mathematics courses drawn from the following: pure mathematics; computer science; operations research; applied mathematics; actuarial science; engineering; secondary teaching
  • One computer science course
  • Senior Experience

  • Mathematics-Economics

  • Calculus I, II, & III
  • Probability
  • Foundations of Algebra
  • Foundations of Analysis
  • Optimization OR Mathematical Statistics
  • One mathematics elective
  • Introductory Economics
  • Microeconomic Theory
  • Macroeconomic Theory
  • Econometrics
  • Three upper-level economics electives



More than 70 mathematics and computer science courses are offered through the department.

The Chandler Senior Experience

As a senior you will engage in a one-term independent study, working on a topic of your choice under the guidance of a faculty member (or two if you are in the math-computer science or the math-econ majors). You’ll demonstrate your ability to learn and apply mathematics with little supervision and to clearly and cogently express this knowledge both verbally and in writing.
 

Recent Senior Experiences include:

 

Bayesian Statistics

Group Theory and Physics

Linear Programming and Economic Analysis

Machine Learning

Mathematical Logic and Advanced Set Theory

Non-Euclidean Geometry

The Four Color Theorem

Troy Miller '16
Troy Miller '16
Tianchu (Alex) Liang ’15
Tianchu (Alex) Liang ’15
The Lawrence Minute - Makerspace
Makerspace

Faculty

Chair(s)
Alan Parks (chair)
  • Scott Corry
    Scott Corry Profile Picture
    Associate Professor of Mathematics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-7287
    Education: Reed College, B.A.; University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D.
    Interests: Number theory, algebraic geometry, combinatorics, and mathematical physics
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 408 Mathematics
    Website: http://faculty.lawrence.edu/corrys
    CV: http://faculty.lawrence.edu/corrys
    Years at Lawrence: 2007-
  • Joseph N. Gregg
     
    Associate Professor of Mathematics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6736
    Education: Texas A&M University, B.S., M.S.; Princeton University, Ph.D.
    Interests: architecture of large software systems, software for math education, complex systems
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 413 Mathematics
    Years at Lawrence: 1991-
  • Kurt Krebsbach
    Kurt Krebsbach Profile Picture
    Professor of Computer Science
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6573
    Education: Lawrence University, B.A.; University of Minnesota, M.S., Ph.D.
    Interests: artificial intelligence, automated planning, multi-agent systems, functional programming, music, zymurgy
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 407 Mathematics
    Website: http://www.lawrence.edu/fast/krebsbak/
    CV: http://www.lawrence.edu/fast/krebsbak/Resume/current-resume.pdf
    Years at Lawrence: 2002-
  • Alan Parks
    Alan Parks Profile Picture
    Professor of Mathematics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6738
    Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
    Interests: application of mathematics, computer algorithms, dynamics
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 409 Mathematics
    Website: http://www.lawrence.edu/fast/parksa
    Years at Lawrence: 1985-
  • Bruce H. Pourciau
    Bruce H. Pourciau Profile Picture
    Professor of Mathematics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6737
    Education: Brown University, B.A.; University of California--San Diego, Ph.D.
    Interests: Newton's Principia, history of mathematics, optimization theory, analysis, topology, philosophy of mathematics
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 412 Mathematics
    Years at Lawrence: 1976-
  • Julie F. Rana
     
    Assistant Professor of Mathematics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6894
    Education: Undergraduate: Marlboro College, Graduate: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 410 Mathematics
    Website: https://sites.google.com/site/jranamath/
    Years at Lawrence: 2017-
  • Andrew J. Sage
    Andrew J. Sage Profile Picture
    Assistant Professor of Statistics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6523
    Education: College of Wooster, B.A.; Miami University, M.S.; Iowa State University, M.S., Ph.D.
    Interests: applied statistics, statistical machine learning, statistics education
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 417 Mathematics
    Website: https://andrewjsage.github.io/
    Years at Lawrence: 2018-
  • Richard A. Sanerib, Jr.
    Richard A. Sanerib, Jr. Profile Picture
    Associate Professor of Mathematics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6734
    Education: St. Anselm College, B.A.; University of Colorado, M.A., Ph.D.
    Interests: logic, algebra, topology, computers, minority education
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 411 Mathematics
    Years at Lawrence: 1976-
  • Elizabeth K. Sattler
    Elizabeth K. Sattler Profile Picture
    Assistant Professor of Mathematics
    Campus Phone: 920-993-6055
    Education: North Dakota State University, B.S., Ph.D.
    Interests: fractal geometry, symbolic dynamics, ergodic theory
    Campus Address: Briggs Hall Room 408 Mathematics
    Years at Lawrence: 2018-