Mathematics Student Opportunities
Students studying mathematics at Carthage can take advantage of multiple curricular and co-curricular programs, from a pre-engineering dual-degree program to undergraduate research opportunities on campus.
Curricular Programs
3+2 ENGINEERING DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAM
Recent mathematics majors from Carthage have finished engineering degrees at such schools as Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Purdue University. Mathematics majors who intend to earn an engineering degree should take MTH 2120 Multivariate Calculus, MTH 2470 Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers, and MTH 3220 Complex Variables. Students should also contact Prof. Mark Snavely after their arrival on campus.
Carthage offers two dual-degree engineering programs. Upon completion of a program, students earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carthage and a Bachelor of Science in engineering degree from an engineering school.
ACTUARIAL SCIENCE
Carthage has an excellent Actuarial Science curriculum. Students can take courses tailored to their actuarial interests, and can pass two or more actuarial exams by the time they graduate. Four Carthage courses are approved by the actuarial societies for Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credit: MTH 3050 Theory of Statistics, MGMT 3210 Financial Management, ECN 1010 Principles of Microeconomics, and ECN 1020 Principles of Macroeconomics.
For more information, contact Prof. Mark Snavely, chair of the Mathematics Department. For more information on becoming an actuary, visit Be An Actuary, a website that has a wealth of information on the industry and the current exam requirements.
J-TERM
January Term is a month-long period of study in January in which all academic departments offer innovative courses on campus, as well as study tours in other countries. The Mathematics Department has been active in J-Term, offering courses to both majors and non-majors.
Research Programs
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND SURE
The Mathematics Department has a vibrant undergraduate research program. All students are required to write a senior thesis, and most students do substantial research in one or more of their courses. Many students do additional research in independent study courses, or through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program (SURE). SURE, funded by a grant from the Kresge Foundation, gives natural science students at Carthage the opportunity to live on campus for the summer while doing significant research with a faculty member. Usually one mathematics student per summer is invited to participate in the SURE program.
CARTHAGE MICROGRAVITY PROGRAM
Each year, Carthage fields a Microgravity Team to compete for a place in NASA’s Systems Engineering Educational Discovery program. Carthage has successfully participated in this program every year since the program’s beginning in 2008. SEED pairs NASA researchers with student teams tasked with designing and building experiments in support of NASA mission research priorities. Carthage mathematics, chemistry, physics and computer science majors have been involved.
CONFERENCES & PAPERS
Carthage students speak at many undergraduate research conferences. In the past five years, approximately 30 students have given talks at regional, state and national meetings sponsored by the MAA or Pi Mu Epsilon. Carthage faculty members are also regular presenters at state and national MAA meetings. Recent undergraduate research papers by Carthage students have appeared in the Pi Mu Epsilon Journal and The Pentagon. Papers co-authored by faculty and students have appeared in Mathematics Magazine.