School of Natural Science and Mathematics
Course Descriptions
Click on the links below to view course descriptions from the catalog, or scroll down to read about other department activities.
View the online undergraduate catalog or graduate catalog.
Other Mathematics and Computer Science Department Activities
The Mathematics and Computer Science Department forms a dynamic community of students and professors, with some students completing a double major in both subjects. In addition to their coursework, students majoring in mathematics and/or computer science have many other department activities to choose from which are fun and helpful for career choices.
Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Student Chapter is active organizing on-campus activities, tutoring, attending local meetings, and hosting an annual end-of-the-year dinner. For more information, contact Dr. Melanie Butler (mbutler@msmary.edu).
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Student Chapter is organizing on-campus tournaments, lectures, tutoring, and community service projects. ACM is also working with other Maryland college chapter to collaborate on events, such as programming competitions. For more information, contact Professor Scott Weiss (sweiss@msmary.edu).
Field Trips: Members of the MAA and ACM have recently toured NIST in Germantown, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and the National Cryptologic Museum.
ACM/MAA Lecture Series brings several distinguished speakers to campus each year, with up to 100 people attending. Refreshments are provided. For more information contact Dr. Fred Portier (fportier@msmary.edu).
Pi Mu Epsilon is the main National Mathematics Honors Society. New members are inducted during a special ceremony each fall when the Department holds a banquet, highlighted by a lecture by a distinguished speaker. For more information, please contact Dr. Luca Petrelli (petrelli@msmary.edu).
The annual department picnic is held in the fall with food, games, and fun provided.
Several students compete in programming and math modeling competitions annually.
The SmallTalk Colloquium Series gives department faculty and students a chance to present their current research and other projects. Refreshments are provided. For more information, please contact Dr. Fred Portier (fportier@msmary.edu).
Undergraduate research opportunities are plentiful in the department. A CURM grant for the 2008-09 academic year provides stipends and resources for students to complete research in the field of Mathematics. Other recent research projects in the department have included the following:
Weather and Climate Change: Local and Global Patterns
Natalie Norris
An Empirical Approach Comparing 3 Algorithms in Finding Basic Feasible Solutions for Transportation Problems
Jen Fuller
Polynomials, Graphs, and Cross-Products
Deb Bosley
A Look Inside Preparing At Risk Students for the Algebra HSA
Melissa McInerney
Building Software Brains: Adaptable Genetic Algorithm AI
Paul Donovan
PacMan in Space
Haley Blevins and Ian Andrews
These projects often lead to participation in the Mount’s Annual Research Festival. For more information, please contact a faculty member.
There are many opportunities for travel as there are always upcoming professional meetings which faculty members and students attend and often give presentations. Travel expenses can frequently be covered by the department. For more information, please contact a faculty member.
The department has been grateful to have received grants from the Henry Luce Foundation which provide funds for the Clare Luce Booth scholarship program. This program has provided full tuition scholarships for female mathematics and computer science majors. For more information, please contact Dr. Melanie Butler (mbutler@msmary.edu).
The department has hosted several professional development workshops for in-service and pre-service mathematics teachers on topics such as teaching fractions, differentiating curriculum, and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Process Standards. For more information, please contact Dr. Melanie Butler (mbutler@msmary.edu).
Celebrate Pi Day (on 3/14, of course!) with the department and enjoy some pie!
