- Home
- Academics
- Majors, Minors and Programs
- Mathematics
Mathematics
Calvin's mathematics program offers many options based on your career goals. Tailor your program to focus on applied mathematics, pure mathematics, computational mathematics, statistics or actuarial studies. You may also choose to pair studies in mathematics with business or economics, or with a particular academic program in the sciences, to create a group major.
Overview
Keep Exploring
Visit the department's website
Related News
A Q&A on randomness and God's providence
from News and Stories
Programs in mathematics are constructed with a faculty advisor following a common outline:
- 2 semesters of calculus
- 2 or 3 intermediate level courses
- 4 or 5 upper level courses, including courses in algebra and analysis
- Additional electives
Careers in Mathematics
See job placement rates for Calvin grads.
Student involvement
Join students and faculty for weekly Colloquium lectures; participate in the Problem Solving Club; compete in mathematics competitions (including the annual MATH Challenge or Putnam competition); celebrate Pi Day; engage in mathematics research with a faculty mentor.
Course Requirements 2012-13
Request a catalog
Share your name and address, and we'll send you a Calvin's course catalog »
Advising?
Current students please download your course catalog for complete degree requirements.
Mathematics major
(34-35 semester hours)
- One course from:
- MATH-172 Calculus II
- MATH-256 Discrete Structures and Linear Algebra
- At least one course from:
- MATH-361 Real Analysis I
- One course from:
- At least two additional courses totaling at least seven semester hours from:
- MATH-301 The Foundations of Geometry
- MATH-305 The Geometry and Topology of Manifolds
- MATH-312 Logic, Computability, and Complexity
- MATH-329 Introduction to Teaching Secondary School Mathematics
- MATH-331 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
- MATH-333 Partial Differential Equations
- MATH-335 Numerical Analysis
- MATH-343 Probability and Statistics
- MATH-344 Mathematical Statistics
- MATH-351 Abstract Algebra
- MATH-355 Advanced Linear Algebra
- MATH-362 Real Analysis II
- MATH-365 Complex Variables
- MATH-380 Perspectives on Modern Mathematics
- An approved interim
- MATH-391 Colloquium (taken twice)
Cognate (4 semester hours)
- One course from:
All proposed major programs must be designed in consultation with a departmental advisor and approved by the department of mathematics and statistics. Major programs must consist of a coherent package of courses intended to serve the student's interests and career goals while meeting the above minimum requirements.
Students with specific educational or career goals should take additional courses. Descriptions of a number of expanded programs?including programs in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, computational mathematics, statistics, and actuarial studies?are available on the departmental Web page.
Mathematics minor
(23 semester hours)
- One course from:
- MATH-172 Calculus II
- At least two courses from:
- At least two totaling at least seven semester hours from:
- MATH-301 The Foundations of Geometry
- MATH-305 The Geometry and Topology of Manifolds
- MATH-312 Logic, Computability, and Complexity
- MATH-331 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
- MATH-333 Partial Differential Equations
- MATH-335 Numerical Analysis
- MATH-343 Probability and Statistics
- MATH-344 Mathematical Statistics
- MATH-351 Abstract Algebra
- MATH-355 Advanced Linear Algebra
- MATH-361 Real Analysis I
- MATH-362 Real Analysis II
- MATH-365 Complex Variables
- MATH-380 Perspectives on Modern Mathematics
All proposed minor programs must be designed in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Scholarships
Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.
- Kenneth E. and Jean Baker First-Year Mathematics Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,100
- first-year
- GPA 2.50+
- financial need not required
- apply through the mathematics department
- Kenneth E. and Jean Baker Mathematics and Music Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,400
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA of 2.5+
- financial need not required; enrolled in a for-credit music activity (ensemble or lessons)
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Kenneth E. and Jean Baker Sophomore Mathematics Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,400
- sophomore
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need not required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Laura and Gary Greenfield Chemistry and Math Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,650
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA of 3.5+
- financial need not required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- first-year
- HS GPA of 3.5+; minimum ACT score of 28 or SAT of 1250
- financial need not required
- complete the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholarship application
- NSF Scientific Computing Scholarship
-
- award amount: $5,000 to $8,000
- any class level
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; US citizen; full-time student; demonstrate an interest in scientific computation and modeling
- apply through the Integrated Science Research Institute
- William Rinck Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3,0+
- financial need required
- apply through the mathematics department
- John and Antoinette Ubels Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- senior or post-BA
- GPA 2.5+
- financial need required; committed to a career as a high school teacher; preference to those interested in teaching in a Christian high school
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- William E. and Connie L. Van Eerden Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,800
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.2+
- financial need is not required; preference to those who demonstrate a passion for teaching in a Christian school or college
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Gordon J. VanderBrug Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,100
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need not required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- VanDerWoude Science Scholarship
-
- award amount: $4,000
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.3+
- financial need not required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Paul J. and Eleanor I. Zwier Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,750; $3,500
- junior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; intention of teaching mathematics at the high school or college level
- apply through the Calvin Portal
Faculty
Talk to us
|
|
Randall Pruim |
