Mathematics and Statistics

Learn more about the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Valpo online.

Professors Maxin, Pudwell, Szaniszlo (chair); Associate Professors Beagley, A. Capaldi, M. Capaldi, Desjarlais, Drube, Gong, Kolba, Sullivan; Lecturer B. Davis

Mathematics

Mathematics is the disciplined form of communication which serves both to lend structure to scientific, engineering, and economic principles, and to provide a beauty of formalism in its own right. It is characteristic that many important mathematical discoveries have been made by scientists, while at the same time pure mathematics has opened up unexpected new advances in science.

Careers in mathematics include statistical analysis, education, scientific, industrial, and mathematical research, operations research, and actuarial science.

Degree

Completion of the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in mathematics leads to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. A student having a mathematics major in view should begin mathematics in the freshman year.

Cooperative Education

Qualified students may combine semesters of professional experience with other semesters of traditional academic studies, usually lengthening their college education beyond the normal eight semesters. During the semesters of their employment, students are financially reimbursed by the cooperating employer and receive college credit. This program normally commences at the end of the sophomore year and consists of two semesters plus three summers of full-time employment with the same company. Two credits in mathematics are granted for each semester and one for each summer. These credits may not be counted toward the minimum required for the major and cannot replace a required course, with the exception of MATH 399 /MATH 499 . To qualify, students must possess a minimum 2.500 cumulative grade point average and a 2.500 grade point average in all required Mathematics courses taken prior to participation in the program.

Statistics

Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, and interpreting data. The goal of statistics is not to merely perform computations and make graphs with data, but to learn from data. Understanding statistics, including its misuses and limitations, is a critical component of being an informed citizen in our increasingly data‐driven world.

A major in statistics provides students with a foundation in statistical theory, but focuses on how to appropriately conduct statistical analyses in real applications. Careers in statistics include a wide array of fields, such as medicine, public health, manufacturing, marketing, finance, and government positions.

Degree

Completion of the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in statistics leads to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.

Placement and Special Credit

Before registration, each new student will be assigned a placement rank based on available student data and/or an online mathematics placement assessment. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics will recommend which course(s) each student should take.

Qualified students may also take a Calculus Placement Exam. A student who is placed into MATH 132 will receive 4 credits for MATH 131 and 4 credits for MATH 132 by passing MATH 132 with a grade of C or higher.

Credit by Examination

Credit for MATH 131 and MATH 132 may be earned through the College Level Examination Program subject examination in Introductory Calculus and through the AP calculus program.

Approval of Schedules

All students taking a major or minor in the department are encouraged to have their schedules approved by the chair of the department or his/her representative before registration each semester.