Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematics
Mathematics is not just an indispensable tool for science and business. It is a rich and beautiful field worthy of study for its own sake. A mathematics major will learn to think logically, gain an aesthetic appreciation for the subject and develop the skills to solve quantitative problems.
Graduates of our program include teachers, professors, lawyers, actuaries, business managers, computer scientists, architects, and financial advisors. Mathematics is a respected major that prepares students to enter any field where quantitative ability is valued.
Our mathematics program allows majors enough room in their schedules to either take a minor or possibly a second major in another subject. In recent years we have seen mathematics majors with second majors in biology, computer science, finance, music, economics, Spanish, psychology, and other subjects. The second major or minor is chosen based on an interest of the student or with a particular career in mind.
Students who are planning to teach mathematics at the high school level enroll as mathematics/secondary education majors.These students take all the coursework of the mathematics majors, and additional courses from the education department. They also student-teach in a high school during their senior year.
Majors who are intending to enroll in a Ph.D. program in mathematics often take extra mathematics courses beyond what is required. A true hallmark of the program is the willingness of faculty to engage in independent study or research with students who want to study more advanced topics in preparation for graduate school. In recent years our majors have earned a Ph.D. at universities that include Notre Dame, Brown, Tufts, U.C. Santa Barbra, University of Massachusetts, and SUNY Stony Brook.
Computer Science
The computer science program graduates students who have practiced solving problems — using the tools of algorithms to create solutions and using high-level programming languages to implement these solutions.
Our students have the knowledge of networks, databases, operating and numerical methods of solving problems, and the mathematics that underlies the field of computer science. They have the opportunity to develop mobile apps and to create internet programs. But, the most important thing they have learned is to apply their problem-solving skills in new areas and using new languages.
Some Computer Science graduates have excelled in computer science graduate programs. Others have excelled in industries where they have used proprietary language, as well as the languages they learned at PC. They often return to the College to speak to current students and they often volunteer to assist current students in their job search.
