This page is meant to provide you with information about our curriculum along with a sense of the collegial and informal nature of our department. Mathematics is a wide field. To reflect its diversity and applications, the department, alone or in conjunction with computer science and economics, offers three separate but overlapping majors: mathematics, mathematics-computer science, and mathematics-economics. Students can minor in these areas as well. Additionally, the mathematics and mathematics-computer science majors can lead to certification as a high school mathematics teacher as part of Lawrence's program in secondary education.
Work in mathematics is both individual and collaborative. We want our students to understand their studies at a deep level even as we want them to ask questions and learn from their peers. The department faculty and majors maintain open and friendly relationships with each other. We have an official weekly Tea to get together for discussion and homemade goodies.
Our students begin by completing the calculus sequence. If you have not had calculus before coming to Lawrence, you will take a three-term sequence during your first year. Students who have taken calculus often start at the second or third term of the sequence. Of course, we give credit and advanced placement for AP calculus and for calculus courses taken at other colleges; our main concern is to place you where you will be comfortable with the level of the material. Our course differs from the usual high school versions in tempo and by emphasizing a thorough understanding.
The second year of the major begins with an applied course: either differential equations or combinatorics (discrete mathematics) or statistics. After that, there is a two-course sequence that introduces you to upper level mathematics. These courses, one in abstract algebra and the other in classical analysis, teach the standard mathematical techniques of proof and develop your ability to write mathematics clearly.
In the last two years of the major, you choose four courses from a list of about 15 upper level courses that span undergraduate mathematics. These courses generally feature challenging problem sets involving both theory and applications, and are, where appropriate, accompanied by projects or computer applications. Classes at this level are small -- a typical upper level course has between 6 and 10 students. In addition, senior majors undertake an independent study project. (See below.)
Lawrence's version of the computer science major will allow you to prepare yourself for a career or for graduate study. Our students go on to work in computer applications, information technology, systems administration, programming, consulting, and many other areas from the focussed and practical to the speculative and theoretical. Our curriculum follows guidelines set by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) for computing programs at liberal arts colleges. The ACM is the largest professional organization of computer scientists. We find that mathematics enriches the traditional computer science courses and allows our students to keep their options open in the ever-changing technology sector.
As a mathematics-computer science major, you will complete the calculus sequence and our course introducing computer science. Second-year students take courses in software design and data structures, as well as the combinatorics course that involves mathematics especially relevant to the analysis of computer algorithms and data structures. After these courses our majors take three more mathematics courses and four more upper-level computer science courses covering the main subject areas of computer science. Senior majors undertake an independent study project. (See below.)
This major combines the practical study of economics with the technical mathematics that is used to understand and study economics. Our mathematics-economics majors have gone on to careers in business, particularly those careers that require an MBA, and to graduate school in a variety of areas.
Mathematics-economics majors complete the calculus sequence and an introductory course in economics. Then they study statistics, research methods in economics (econometrics), and advanced courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics. Upper level students take three additional mathematics courses and three economics course selected from a variety of options. Senior majors undertake an independent study project. (See below.)
Independent study involves working individually with one professor. An independent study project can consist of additional coursework in a traditional area, or it can be an open-ended research project. You will meet regularly with your professor to discuss what you are learning, perhaps working problem sets or making short presentations or writing a longer paper. The emphasis is on your individual learning style and personal goals.
At the education department page you can find general information about teacher certification. If you wish to be certified as a high school mathematics teacher, you complete the mathematics major along with the required education courses. The department offers an optional course in mathematics teaching techniques that you can take individually to help adapt what you learn in education courses to the specific challenges of the mathematics classroom. Members of the mathematics department are available to observe you when you student-teach, as well, to offer helpful suggestions and support.
The mathematics department is located in Briggs Hall, which opened in 1997, and houses the mathematics, computer science, and social science departments. Brigg's Hall facilities include a computer lab dedicated to instruction in computer science and a dedicated lab for statistics instruction. Areas for student research and independent study work are located close to faculty offices to facilitate faculty-student collaboration.
If you don't want to miss the advantages of a liberal arts education, but you also are eager to move quickly into a professional engineering course of study, Lawrence is just the place for you.
You will spend three years at Lawrence, completing a basic program of mathematics, chemistry, and physics courses, as well as half a dozen courses from the humanities and social sciences.
Then, on the recommendation of the Lawrence faculty, you will transfer to Columbia University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the University of Michigan, or Washington University in St. Louis. After two years of study at the professional school, you will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lawrence and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the second school. There is more information through the link at the title.
Mathematics students at most colleges and universities rarely study off-campus, but Lawrence provides a great variety of opportunities and the flexibility for everyone to take part.
From among the two dozen programs available, you might decide to spend a term, two terms, or even a year at the Lawrence London Center. There are summer research programs around the country in which our students participate. Or, you might pick a program that will take you to study Renaissance art in Florence, economics in Costa Rica, mathematics at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, or contemporary Chinese politics in Hong Kong, among others.
To learn more ... feel free to contact any of the department faculty! The current chair is Professor Jordan.