University of Dayton, Ohio

Welcome to the Department of Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of shape and form, of numbers and patterns, of concrete examples and abstract generalizations. As a discipline mathematics is not easy to categorize. It is an art: there is great beauty in its execution and exposition. It is a science: it is extremely rigorous and it has an experimental aspect. It is pure: within mathematics one can create a whole universe and explore its properties. It is applied: many of the best ideas of mathematics arise from attempts at solving everyday problems, and some of its most pure concepts have surprisingly practical applications. It is a philosophy: mathematics is grounded in ideas. Most of all, mathematics is alive. Although mathematics has engaged human thought for millennia it is still today a vibrant and growing area of human endeavor with new and important discoveries. It is the goal of the Department of Mathematics not only to provide students with a firm foundation in the concepts and skills of mathematics, but to instill in them an appreciation for the beauty and power of the subject,

Academic Programs

The Department of Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematical economics (in collaboration with the Department of Economics and Finance). We also offer a Master of Science in applied mathematics. The Bachelor of Science degree is intended for you if you want to pursue graduate studies in any area of the mathematical sciences, to enter the actuarial science profession, or to enter careers in engineering or science. The Bachelor of Arts degree allows for more electives; hence, you can study mathematics in a broader academic context. With this B.A. degree, you can (and are encouraged to) double major or develop a strong minor in preparation for a career in fields such as education, law, business or social science. The Bachelor of Science in applied mathematical economics is intended for you if you wish to study economics at the graduate level. The Bachelor of Science Win mathematics can serve that purpose as well.

Our Undergraduate Programs

The department offers three undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Science in mathematics (MTH), the Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (MTA), and the Bachelor of Science in applied mathematical economics (MTE). The MTH program is intended to serve students who plan to pursue careers related to engineering and science, or who plan to enter graduate study in any area of the mathematical sciences (which includes actuarial science and statistics). The Department of Mathematics collaborates with the Department of Economics and Finance to offer the MTE program, which prepares students for graduate study in economics. The MTA program gives a liberal arts option to students who want to develop concentrations in areas leading to careers in business, education or the social sciences. Students may also participate in the teacher licensure program, offered through the School of Education and Allied Professions.

Our Graduate Programs

The department offers three graduate degrees. The Master of Science in Applied Mathematics is oriented towards broadening the mathematical skills of those whose careers demand the use of mathematics. This is an interdisciplinary program whose main objective is to train students to do professional work in the applications of mathematics. The Master of Financial Mathematics (MFM) is a professional program to support a growing market in financial services. It is offered in cooperation with the Department of Economics and Finance. The MFM program integrates statistics, computation and modeling with training in the professional domain and graduates will find employment opportunities in the banking, insurance and financial trading industries. The Master of Mathematics Education (MME) was developed to address the requirement of the Ohio Department of Education that all K-12 grade teachers complete a master's degree program in their content area or general education in order to maintain a provisional teaching license for a second renewal. This summer program is designed to meet the professional needs of Ohio's high school teachers by addressing issues of particular importance to them.

Careers

A degree in mathematics gives students a wide range of career opportunities at all levels of academics, in technical areas, in finance and business, in actuarial science, and in government positions.

Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. The work of mathematicians falls into two broad classes – theoretical (pure) mathematics and applied mathematics. These classes, however, are not sharply defined and often overlap.

Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although these workers seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, such pure and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing or furthering many scientific and engineering achievements. Many theoretical mathematicians are employed as university faculty, dividing their time between teaching and conducting research.

Applied mathematicians, on the other hand, use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, and the physical, life, and social sciences. For example, they may analyze the most efficient way to schedule airline routes between cities, the effects and safety of new drugs, the aerodynamic characteristics of an experimental automobile, or the cost-effectiveness of alternative manufacturing processes. Applied mathematicians working in industrial research and development may develop or enhance mathematical methods when solving a difficult problem. Some mathematicians, called cryptanalysts, analyze and decipher encryption systems – codes – designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law enforcement-related information. Applied mathematicians start with a practical problem, envision its separate elements, and then reduce the elements to mathematical variables. They often use computers to analyze relationships among the variables and solve complex problems by developing models with alternative solutions.

Individuals with titles other than mathematician do much of the work in applied mathematics. In fact, because mathematics is the foundation on which so many other academic disciplines are built, the number of workers using mathematical techniques is much greater than the number formally called mathematicians. For example, engineers, computer scientists, physicists, and economists are among those who use mathematics extensively. Some professionals, including statisticians, actuaries, and operations research analysts, are actually specialists in a particular branch of mathematics. Applied mathematicians are frequently required to collaborate with other workers in their organizations to find common solutions to problems.

Opportunities & Activities

Faculty & Staff

Faculty members of the Department of Mathematics are dedicated to quality education which prepares students for careers or graduate study. We are also actively engaged in research activities which extend the current understanding of mathematical concepts. Many of us conduct research collaboratively with undergraduate and graduate students in areas such as algebra, analysis, discrete mathematics, geometry, statistics, mathematics education and financial mathematics. Excellent teaching, combined with one-on-one advising and many opportunities for extra-curricular mathematical activities, results in majors who are well-prepared for pursuing graduate study in the mathematical sciences or for careers outside of academia.

Contact Us

Please contact us for more information about our programs.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Office Information

Department of Mathematics
University of Dayton
Science Center Room 313
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469-2316

Phone: 937-229-2511
Fax: 937-229-2566