Mathematics Program
Why study Mathematics?
Mathematics shapes the way we interact with and perceive almost every aspect of society and the natural world. Mathematics is a fundamental science that can be applied in countless ways to support careers in science, business, economics, and the arts.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science?
Students have the option to major in mathematics through the Science degree program (BSc) or the Arts degree program (BA). The math program requirements are the same for both degrees. However, the required and elective courses are different for each degree as outlined in the Academic Calendar.
The Saint Mary’s approach
This rigorous program offers students a comprehensive understanding of mathematics from both theoretical and applied perspectives. With small class sizes and outstanding access to faculty, our students learn and study in a collaborative and supportive environment. Our faculty have received national and international recognition for their ongoing research in pure and applied mathematics.
Hands-on learning
Students work one-on-one with professors and have the chance to attend conferences and seminars or enroll in the co-op program. A large percentage of undergraduate mathematics students are hired to assist faculty with their research – often as early as their first or second year.
Sample courses offered:
- Introductory Calculus: Core topics include: functions, limits, continuity, differentiability; derivatives of algebraic and transcendental functions, applications of the derivative (e.g., curve sketching, optimization, L’Hôpital’s Rule); antiderivatives; area under curves; and the fundamental theorem of calculus.
- Linear Algebra: Topics include: complex numbers, geometric vectors in three dimensions, equations of line and planes, systems of equations, Gaussian elimination, matrix algebra, vector spaces, linear transformations: definition and examples, null space and range, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and orthogonality.
- Mathematical Statistics: Study mathematical foundations of statistics, including both parametric and non-parametric inferences. Emphasis is placed on the properties of random variables and their distributions. The estimation of parameters by using sample statistics and tests of related hypotheses are included. Applications to computer science are studied.
- Introduction to Combinatorics: Students are introduced to various enumeration techniques and will include such topics as permutations and combinations, recurrence relations and generating functions. Various finite structures and their applications are also studied.
Future career opportunities:
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (US), the top 15 highest-earning college degrees all rely on math skills. Mathematics leads to a wide variety of career opportunities, such as:
- Accountant
- Actuary
- Climatologist
- Cryptanalyst
- Defense scientist
- Economist
- Financial analyst