Mount Holyoke College

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Majoring in Mathematics

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MATHEMATICS MAJOR
The major in mathematics requires a minimum of 32 credits, with 20 credits (five courses) at the 300-level. It includes

Note that Math 311 is offered every fall, and Math 301 is offered every spring. Math 251 is offered every spring and alternate falls.

ELECTIVES
Each year, four 300 level electives in mathematics are offered, one each in the large areas of algebra, analysis, geometry and applied mathematics. Most electives are repeated every second or third year, and many are accessible after only one 200-level course in the department. Independent work, Math 395, is another option. Some electives are offered jointly with Smith. Suitable advanced electives are also available at the other colleges in the Valley. Students obtaining secondary school certification in mathematics need to complete their mathematics coursework before the student-teaching semester, spring of senior year.

PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM
Most majors complete the three required 200-level courses in the sophomore year. It is particularly helpful to take Math 251 as early as possible, for two reasons. One is that the wide range of topics included in Math 251 gives a broad view of the discipline that helps students make well-informed decisions about future course-taking (and choice of major or minor). Another is that the Lab's emphasis on exploration and discovery, clear writing and careful reasoning are excellent preparation for ALL advanced courses, whether or not Math 251 is an explicit prerequisite.

Sample program:
Year 1: Calculus I and II
Year 2: Lab, Linear Algebra and Calculus III
Year 3: Algebra I, Analysis I, one or more 300-level elective
Year 4: two or more 300-level electives (possibly including independent work)

Many majors do more than the minimum. Students considering graduate study are particularly encouraged to include a rich program of advanced electives and a summer research experience. Students who enter with the equivalent of one or more semesters of calculus often take a 300-level elective in the sophomore year.

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INTERNSHIPS / RESEARCH / INDEPENDENT WORK
There are now many summer opportunities for math majors to work in related areas and receive stipends; most are aimed at sophomores and juniors. An undergraduate research program is offered at Mount Holyoke every summer, and similar programs exist at several other colleges and universities. Summer and January internships are available at a number of businesses and research laboratories. Many students follow up a summer program after the junior year with related independent work in the senior year, perhaps culminating in an honors thesis. Faculty welcome a wide range of proposals for independent projects, at intermediate and advanced levels. All seniors doing independent work are encouraged to report on their projects at the annual Science Symposium in April.

AFTER GRADUATION
Math majors do everything and anything. Each year some students enter graduate programs in the mathematical sciences or in allied fields (engineering, business, economics, physics, operations research, …). Others go on to medical school, law school and other professional schools. (Law schools and med schools love math majors!)

Many students directly enter the job market, finding employment in schools, banks and other financial institutions, software companies, insurance companies, and research laboratories. Many kinds of businesses depend on analysts who can understand mathematical models and solve problems effectively, even if the main focus of the business is far from mathematics.

Here are some samples from recent classes: high school math teacher, orbital analyst for the US Air Force, research assistant for the World Bank, assistant vice president at a mortgage company, engineer, optometry intern, computer programmer, systems analyst, manager of accounts for the Appalachian Mountain Club, credit analyst, account executive, marketing representative for the Atlanta Braves, associate director of annual giving for the Washington National Cathedral, and air traffic controller. The sky really is the limit!

ENGINEERING
Students interested in engineering have two possible routes. One is a dual degree program, for example with Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering or with Caltech. In the Dartmouth program, the student spends her junior year at Dartmouth, comes back to MHC for her senior year and her BA, and then returns to Dartmouth for a fifth year and a BSE. In the Caltech program, the student spends three consecutive years at MHC and then two years at Caltech; both degrees are awarded at the end of the fifth year. Another route is a BA from MHC (with appropriate work in physics and maybe some electives at UMass) followed by a two year master's program in engineering.

SECONDARY TEACHING
Here there are a number of options. Some students complete secondary school certification during their four years at MHC with a "professional semester" in the senior year. Others complete the education requirements with a ninth semester at MHC. Still others choose a Master's program (usually a Master of Arts in Teaching). It is possible to teach in private secondary schools without a secondary certificate.

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