Introduction

Mathematics embodies the spirit of the liberal arts. Mathematics is an art, a pure science, a language and an analytical tool for the natural and social sciences, a means of exploring philosophical questions, and a beautiful edifice that is a tribute to human creativity.

The Department of Mathematics offers its programs in modern classrooms and computer laboratories in the Center for Mathematics and Computing, a 42,500 square-foot building the department shares with the College's computing center.

The department is especially proud of the quality and diversity of its computer equipment available for student use. The department maintains four public labs including a mathematical computing lab, a statistical computing lab, an introductory computer science lab, and a research lab.

The Mathematics Major

The Carleton mathematics major includes a common core of five courses -- Calculus I, II, and III, Linear Algebra, and Mathematical Structures. Students complete the major by taking six or more advanced courses beyond the core to insure both depth and breadth of mathematical knowledge. Students can choose from courses such as Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Combinatorics or Probability, as well as many other courses offered on a regular basis.

Students may plan a major in mathematics in preparation for work or further study in any of a variety of fields. In addition to traditional fields like pure mathematics, mathematical physics, statistics, operations research and actuarial science, there are a growing number of opportunities in interdisciplinary fields, such as mathematical economics, biostatistics, biomathematics, bioinformatics, environmental engineering, and scientific visualization. Students may prepare for teaching mathematics in secondary school through a sequence of courses in the department and in the Department of Educational Studies.

During the senior year, the mathematics major concludes with a capstone experience, known as "comps." This consists of a written examination on the core curriculum of the major, and an in-depth oral presentation on a topic chosen by the faculty.

Outside the classroom

In addition to regular coursework, students can enhance their mathematical experience in many other ways. The department features a colloquium series at which faculty, visitors and students present topics of current or historical interest. Over the past several years the speakers have included such distinguished visitors as Fred Brooks, Steven Krantz, Doris Schattschneider, Paul Erdös, Ron Graham, Carolyn Gordon, Richard Guy, Stephen Stigler, and Roger Penrose.

Students may also participate in seminars, independent study, or problem-solving groups. For decades Carleton has entered a team in the Putnam Mathematical Competition, a contest for undergraduates all across the United States and Canada. Often, our students have done quite well in this contest. Locally, Carleton teams compete with nearby colleges in the Konhauser problem-solving contest. Carleton students also have the opportunity to do research in mathematics.

The department also employs students as tutors, lab assistants, paper graders, and as research assistants.

Finally, majors in the department develop close relationships with departmental faculty not only through their academic work, but also at the weekly Math/CS Lunch Table, picnics and other special events.

Off-campus opportunities for majors

Many Carleton mathematics students participate in summer research programs (REU's), internships (for instance, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota) or other enrichment programs (Carleton's Summer Mathematics Program for Women, George Washington University's Summer Program for Women). In addition, many students spend a term in Hungary on the Budapest Semester in Mathematics program.

Mathematics for non-majors

Since mathematics plays such a key role in the physical, biological, and social sciences, Calculus I, Calculus II, and Calculus III are all useful to students who plan careers in these areas. Diagnostic examinations are available during New Student Week to assist students in deciding at which level they should enter the calculus sequence. The department offers a course, Calculus with Review, for those students who require extra preparation.

Courses in probability and statistics are offered at several levels. For instance, Statistics: Concepts and Controversies, and Introduction to Statistics are of special interest to students seeking quantitative literacy in the social sciences or for students majoring in geology, biology, or economics. Two upper level courses, Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics, combine a rigorous introduction to probability and statistics with data analysis.

The department offers a general education course, Introduction to Mathematics, for those who wish to become acquainted, at an elementary level, with some modern mathematical ideas.

The department also offers Freshman Seminars on a regular basis. Recent topics have included Cryptography, Mathematics and Art, Chaos, Numbers, and Graph Theory. These seminars are independent of the calculus and introductory computer science sequences.