Major in Mathematics (B.A.)

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Major in Mathematics (B.A.)

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Learn the language of the universe.

Understanding mathematics provides you with a deep understanding of the world around us — and how to improve it. As a math major at Clark, you can contribute to mathematical knowledge for its own sake (“pure” mathematics), or apply your knowledge of math to solve problems in fields such as chemistry, physics, engineering, economics, and computer science.

With a math mindset and a math skill set, you can collaborate with experts in other disciplines. Increase fuel efficiency. Predict weather patterns. Analyze world economies. Whether you focus on pure or applied mathematics, you will graduate with indispensable skills that lead to careers in fields as diverse as software engineering, finance, actuarial science, and teaching.

Catalog Requirements for:

Major

Minor

Why Study Mathematics at Clark?

Benefit from a supportive community that is collaborative, not competitive, where you can grow your skills and knowledge with the help of faculty and peer mentors who want you to succeed; you can give back by becoming a peer learning assistant yourself.
Participate in research from your first day at Clark by joining our Diving into Research Group. All math majors are encouraged to undertake independent research under the supervision of a faculty member.
Challenge yourself at regional and national competitions (individually or as part of the Clark Math Team), including the prestigious Putnam Mathematics Competition.

Mathematics

Featured Courses

MATH 110

PLS

Diving into Research: The Mathematics Behind Gene Regulation

In this yearlong course, explore the interface between mathematics, computer science, and molecular biology by designing simple experiments and deriving equations to model gene expression in a developing organism.

MATH 219

Linear Models

Research often relies on linear regression to predict the relationship between one or more variables and a response. Use real-world examples to explore and model applications of this statistical technique.

MATH 230

Differential Geometry

Describe spaces like surfaces, curves, and manifolds using this branch of mathematics that draws on advanced techniques in calculus and algebra, and has applications in physics, architecture, and economics.

View All Courses

The Mathematics Path

A total of 10 courses, as well as two semesters of Honors Calculus, are needed to complete the mathematics major. Our course flowchart, combined with one-on-one faculty advising, will help you plot a path through the major based on your beginning level of preparation and interests. Areas of focus are pure mathematics; applied mathematics, including mathematical biology and statistics; actuarial science; and teacher preparation.

If you’re considering a career teaching mathematics at the high school level, we encourage you to check out the Noyce Scholarship program.

Skills You Learn

Academic Achievement Awards

Honors Program

Related Programs

Building your foundation

The Clark Experience

The Clark Core allows students to take courses across diverse disciplines, helping them develop critical thinking skills and respect for other cultures and perspectives. You’ll connect classroom learning with action through world and workplace experiences.

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At Clark, your education extends beyond the classroom. Visit the Career Connections Center to learn more about internship opportunities that complement your coursework and put your mathematics knowledge into practice.

The mathematics major is designed to help you learn outside the classroom. Some students enjoy entering mathematics competitions (including the prestigious Putnam Mathematics Competition) individually or as part of the Clark team. You can join with other interested math students, in company with a faculty adviser, to prepare for competitions, the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs), or actuarial science examinations. Advanced students often serve as peer learning assistants. You also might provide math tutoring to students in the local public schools.

Many students take advantage of internship opportunities during the academic year or over the summer to connect what they’re learning with their professional development.

Other opportunities include:

Study Abroad and Away

Participation in a Study Abroad and Away program is an opportunity to gain world and workplace experience to complement your on-campus experience. Clark approves semester, year-long, and summer opportunities to earn credit through academic coursework, internships, community-based learning, or research. Explore our Study Abroad and Away website where you can search programs by academic interest, location, and language; after you’ve identified some appropriate programs, ensure they fit into your four-year plan by talking with your faculty adviser as early as possible.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Internships

Morgan Stanley
New York, N.Y.
CIT Group
New York, N.Y.
Bridgewater Associates
Westport, Conn.
Demandware, Inc.
Burlington, Mass.
Noyce Scholarship Program Summer Internship (teaching)
Worcester, Mass.

Clark is committed to action-based learning, which means as an undergraduate you can join faculty and graduate students in their research. Our mathematics professors have research interests in these mathematics subfields: differential geometry, algebraic geometry, applied mathematics and differential equations, numerical analysis, scientific computing, mathematical biology, bioinformatics, probability and statistics, and the history of mathematics, among others.

You are encouraged to engage in research under the supervision of a faculty member. This ranges from joining a small group of students in the course Diving into Research to your own original research project on a topic that interests you. You might also take advantage of the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).

You can also apply for funding to support your own research on a project of your choice during the academic year or during the summer.

Present Your Research

Some students attend professional conferences with a faculty mentor, where they present their research and network with other students and professionals in the field.

Clark’s annual ClarkFEST is an opportunity to share your research or creative work with the Clark community while you hone your presentation skills. Some projects mathematics students and recent alumni have presented are:

Differential Geometry and Brain Images
An Evolved Evolutionary Algorithm
An Analog of a Platonic Solid in 4 Dimensions and Its Symmetry Group
Electromagnetic Wave Transmission Through Dense Plasma
Applications of Spectral Clustering to Genetics

You also can submit your research results for publication in our student-run Scholarly Undergraduate Research Journal.

At Clark you’ll get more than a great education; you’ll also be prepared for a long, productive career and life of consequence. And once you’ve completed your degree, you can join other Clark alumni who have gone on to work for great organizations and attend some of the best graduate schools in the world.

The mathematics major prepares you for graduate school as well as a wide range of careers in industry, finance, insurance, and public-school teaching.

Graduate School Placement

Graduate schools attended by mathematics graduates from Clark include:

University of Southern California; M.A. in neuroimaging and informatics
Northwestern University; Ph.D. in industrial engineering
University of California at Berkeley; Ph.D. in statistics
Stony Brook University; Ph.D. in mathematics
Boston University; M.S. in mathematical finance

Career Outcomes

PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
Actuarial associate
Frenova Renal Research
Custom reporting administrator analyst
CIT Group Inc.
Quantitative developer
MITRE Corporation
Emerging technologies computer scientist
HiQ Labs
Data scientist

Faculty and Programs in the Department of Mathematics

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