Mathematics Major, B.A.
The field of mathematics offers a variety of excellent career opportunities. The department offers both a major and a minor in mathematics; mathematics majors may also earn secondary teaching certification.
Mathematics courses at Hood are taught with an emphasis on student participation, active learning, collaboration and the use of technology. Students at Hood work closely with faculty members. Classes are small, and students can explore topics that interest them. The senior seminar, in the history of mathematics, leads to a capstone research project. The department has a computer laboratory dedicated to mathematics classes, with computational and graphics software to support the mathematics curriculum.
Classrooms, labs, seminar rooms and informal spaces in the Hodson Science and Technology Center provide attractive and useful facilities for student-faculty interaction.
Math students are among the most active and involved on campus. They are leaders in student government and in residential and commuter student groups. Students participate in field trips to the Smithsonian, Library of Congress and the National Cryptologic Museum. Math students participate in the annual national competition in mathematical modeling, attend conferences and give presentations, are members of professional organizations, complete exciting internships in Washington D.C., and Baltimore, participate in summer research programs and enter graduate school or the work force with valuable skills.
Requirements for the Major
(Majors pursuing Secondary Education Certification should see Mathematics Secondary Education Certification.)
A student may declare a major in mathematics only after completing MATH 202 Calculus II or equivalent with a grade of C or better.
The following courses comprise the mathematics major:
Choose two of the following
Students are also encouraged to take PHIL 207 Logic and several computer science electives.
The mathematics major can be combined with other disciplines (such as biology, business administration, chemistry or economics) in a double-major program; this option is particularly useful for those interested in the use of quantitative methods in the other discipline. The mathematics major also can complement study in another discipline that is less directly related to it; the broader a student’s background, the more choices and opportunities are available.