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Mathematics
Department Chair: Philip Byrne
Faculty: Marc Brodie, Gary Brown, Philip Byrne, Shobha Deshmukh,
Robert Dumonceaux, Jennifer Galovich, Michael Gass, David Hartz,
Robert Hesse, Gerald Lenz, Thomas Sibley, Michael Tangredi
The mathematics department offers courses to
fit the needs of a wide variety of students: the student majoring in
mathematics, the student majoring in another field who needs or
chooses supporting courses in mathematics and the general liberal arts
student.
Since a knowledge of mathematics can be useful
in disciplines as diverse as biology, philosophy and economics, the
mathematics department offers a number of options to students. The
major offerings are flexible enough to prepare students to apply for
further study in graduate school, for a career in secondary education
or as a mathematician or statistician in business or industry. It is
also possible for a student to arrange for an individualized major in
mathematics and another discipline. This should be done in careful
consultation with a member of the mathematics department and a member
of the student's major department. A student majoring in another
discipline may choose to minor in mathematics. A major in elementary
education may choose a minor in mathematics or the concentration
designed especially for elementary teachers. (See the education
department listing for more information.)
In addition to the formal courses described
below, there are many other opportunities available for students
interested in mathematics. An individual learning project on a topic
of mutual interest can be designed with the assistance of a faculty
member. An active student math club and a local chapter of Pi Mu
Epsilon (a national honor society for students of mathematics)
cooperate with the mathematics department to offer a rich program of
seminars, films, visiting speakers, career information and social
activities. Each spring the department hosts a regional Pi Mu Epsilon
conference at which students and faculty from several colleges gather
at Saint Benedict's and Saint John's for two days of presentations by
students and invited speakers.
Each semester a number of mathematics majors
are invited by the department to serve as teaching assistants paid on
an hourly basis. Some mathematics majors are also employed to teach
labs which accompany the pre-calculus and calculus courses. Those
labs, which meet regularly, provide students with additional
opportunities to discuss course material and to practice
problem-solving skills.
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