Mathematics, Minor

Introduction

Students with a program of study in Mathematics learn abstract mathematical constructs and paradigms. They develop logical thinking and communication skills through argumentation and proof. Students study methods of mathematical modeling, and develop confidence and competence in developing models and carrying out algorithms. Students learn to read and speak the language of mathematics. Graduates of our program have gone on to engage in a wide variety of post-graduate activities, including work in mathematics and science-related fields or graduate study in mathematics or education.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Pacific University Mathematics Program introduces students to mathematics as a unique mode of inquiry, a rigorous and highly creative endeavor, characterized by powerful utility as well as profound beauty. To this end, our goals are to promote, at all levels of our curriculum:

• Students will display algorithmic literacy in their construction, execution and analysis of problem-solving and calculation routines.

• Students will adhere to precision and rigorous logical reasoning in their own constructions and critiques of formal mathematical proofs.

• Students will translate problems from across disciplines into mathematical models, allowing for the leveraging of sophisticated mathematical theory.

• Students will effectively communicate complex mathematical ideas and carefully reasoned arguments both orally and in writing.