Major & Minor
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space, and change. At its core, mathematics is a quest for absolutes, definitive solutions, and answers.
About the Mathematics Major
Develop your abstract reasoning capabilities, strong problem-solving skills, and the creative thinking abilities to be successful wherever you take your talents. As society becomes more technologically based, gain knowledge and critical experience for your career through a diversity of topics and versatility of knowledge gained in a liberal arts environment.
Often, many Southern Virginia University students choose mathematics as an additional major or minor to more greatly develop their abstract reasoning capabilities in preparation for graduate school—especially within the highly mathematical science fields like biochemistry.
Overall, our math majors enjoy close relationships with their professors and classmates and have multiple opportunities for involvement, including attending James Madison University’s yearly math conference SUMS and joining the invigorating Math Club on campus.
Learning Outcomes
What you’ll learn in the Mathematics major:
- Competently work with the concepts of calculus, differential equations, geometry, analysis, algebra, and statistics.
- Learn to read, understand, analyze, and produce proofs at increasing depth. Use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding, solve mathematical problems, and judge the reasonableness of results.
- Exhibit knowledge of formulating and solving problems, interpreting solutions, and modeling techniques central to applications of mathematics.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate mathematics and other quantitative ideas in written and oral forms.
Career Opportunities
There is a wide array of potential careers with a mathematics degree, including jobs in statistics, law, engineering, research, and more depending on your personal and professional goals. Learn where a career in mathematics can take you.
- Mathematician
- Software Engineer
- Statistician
- Economist
- Market Researcher
- Data Analysis
- Actuarial Analyst
Getting Started in the Mathematics Major
Follow these simple steps below to get a head start in the
Mathematics Major today.
Enroll
Begin by taking Calculus (MAT 241/242) in your first year
Contact Your Advisor
Get in touch with New tab, Open Bio for: Professor Thomas Bell to discuss your interests and goals
Declare
Turn in a completed PDFDeclare Major Form to the Registrar’s Office
Questions? Contact the Registrar at emailregistrar@svu.edu.
Mathematics Faculty
Thomas Bell
Associate Professor of Mathematics; Mathematics Program Coordinator
Doug Cheney
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Jared McBride
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Alumni Success
Spencer Dennis (’21)
Math Major Co-authors COVID-19 Medical Research Paper Published in International Forum
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In the News
How One Math Professor is Leveraging iPad Technology in All Corners of His Classroom
When Southern Virginia University first launched its LaunchPad initiative five years ago, rather than prescribing specific uses for the Apple technology, university leaders encouraged the school’s excellent faculty to experiment with leveraging the powerful tools to enhance collaboration and learning outcomes in the classroom and beyond.
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In the News
Knights Awarded Best Domain at NCSU Hackathon
Competing in their first ever hackathon at the North Carolina State University ‘Pack Hacks’ event, four Southern Virginia University computer science students earned Best Domain honors for their app, Vicinia — a localized chat service that connects friends within a close radius.
Links to news articleRead More