Department of Mathematics
and Computer Science
Valparaiso University College of Arts & Sciences
Department Chair:
Richard Alan Gillman, D.A.
Gellersen 115 | 219-464-5181
Rick.Gillman@valpo.edu
Majors offered:
Mathematics, B.A., B.S.
Links to Web sites:
Catalog:
Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
Mathematics is a universal tool similar to language. It allows people to see connections between problems in many areas, to solve problems in a systematic way, and to communicate all of this to others. People who are proficient in mathematics can apply this tool to areas as diverse as engineering, science, business, social service, and the arts. VU's mathematics program encourages students to see the connections and interplay between mathematics and other disciplines.
What Is Distinctive About Valpo's Program?
Research:
Valpo undergraduate mathematics
research groups are open to incoming freshmen. You can take advantage
of these research opportunities while on campus during the academic year
and also participate in off-campus research activities during the summer
or semesters away from campus.
Numerous part-time employment opportunities are available to mathematics majors. Within the department, students are employed as graders, tutors, help session leaders, and office staff. The first three of these provide students with excellent opportunities to learn mathematics by teaching. A popular employer of mathematics outside of the department is Electronic Information Services, which provides computer support to the campus.
Job Placement:
VU mathematics graduates consistently
find employment opportunities or graduate school offers. Usually,
100% of our graduates find desired employment within six months of graduation.
What Can You Do with a Mathematics Major?
Degree, Skills or Experience Needed for
Beginning a Job in This Field:
An undergraduate
major in mathematics provides you with quantitative skills, as well as
analytical problem solving and technical communication skills. These are
the types of skills that are valuable in many work enviroments.
Kinds of Work Available to Graduates in this
Major: Recent VU math
graduates work in a variety of fields, including
Graduates from the past few years are employed with the US Navy, TelePro,
Inc., Hewitt Associates, Motorola, Crown Point High School, Compaq, and
Applied Systems.
Valpo also offers an interdisciplinary actuarial science major. The curriculum
integrates mathematics courses with courses from the College of Business
Administration.
Potential
Hiring Institutions:
Positions in statistical
analysis, education, scientific research, industrial research, and operations
research are available to mathematics majors. Potential hiring institutions
include government agencies at all levels, research institutions, schools,
software companies, insurance companies, and commercial enterprises.
Graduate
Schools:
Recent VU mathematics graduates have gone to graduate programs in mathematics,
physics, computer science, geography, education, and meteorology. They
have entered programs at institutions including Auburn University, Carnegie
Mellon University, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University,
Purdue University, University of California-San Diego, University of Chicago,
University of Wisconsin, and other prominent institutions across the country.
More information on graduate programs is also available at http://www.valpo.edu/mathcs/prospective/grad
What Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities Does Valpo Offer You in
Mathematics?
Students
are encouraged to attend the monthly faculty colloquia, to participate
in research projects and attend professional meetings, and are offered
opportunities to compete in regional and national mathematics competitions.
Visit http://www.valpo.edu/math.htm
for more details. If you're a musician, you can participate in the annual
departmental concert!
In addition, Valpo students can choose from over 100 clubs and organization
on campus or start their own!
Off-Campus Opportunities
Cooperative Education and Internships:
You are encouraged to take
advantage of full or part-time internships and cooperative education job
placements during your time at Valpo. Our students have done
co-op experiences around the nation with Texas Instruments,
IBM, Northwestern Mutual Life, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and others. International co-ops
are also possible.
Outreach
to K-12 Schools:
The MENI (Mathematics Experiences in Northwest Indiana) Office coordinates
outreach programs to students and teachers in the K-12 system. Faculty members
and students are frequently recruited to help with these activities. For
the past 4 years, the Deparment has hosted the Northwest Indiana Mathcounts
competition and, for the past five years, the Mathematics Minicamp for Women.
The latter is an opportunity for eighth and ninth grade girls to explore
and to share applications of mathematics to communication, science, and
engineering.
Study Abroad:
Take part in one of Valpo’s 14 international studies programs
in countries such as Mexico, England, Spain, France, Greece, Germany,
Namibia, China, or Japan. Students may also take advantage of semester-long
programs in New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Students are
also encouraged to consider participating in the semester-long mathematics
program in Budapest, Hungary.
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