|
Mathematics
(College of Arts & Sciences)
Visit
http://dept.ju.edu/math
for more information about mathematics at Jacksonville University
Program Description
Mathematics is the language in which, for the past four thousand years, people have been communicating and recording their thoughts and findings about the world. Mathematics is the gateway to understanding many and varied fields: space and time, money and commerce, growth and decay, motion and change. Mathematics at Jacksonville University provides exciting opportunities to investigate real-world problems in a teamwork setting, to "discover" mathematical ideas in a cooperative learning environment. Students are "researchers," teachers are coaches, and all are part of a learning team. The use of graphing and computational technology supports learning and the development of mathematical communication skills. JU's mathematics program has received national acclaim for its reform of the teaching of calculus as a lab science with real world applications.
Curriculum Overview
The basic four-year course of study follows the outline below:
Freshman
Calculus I and II
Sophomore
Calculus III, linear algebra, mathematics & reasoning
Junior
Applied mathematics, differential equations, statistics, geometry
Senior
Analysis, abstract algebra, history of mathematics, and a capstone course in problem solving
Students may choose to add one of the following concentrations:
Engineering Mathematics
prepares students to enter an engineering program in applied mathematics. Students add selected courses in applied mathematics and engineering.
Actuarial Science
prepares students for careers as actuaries. Student add selected courses in statistics, as well as courses in applied mathematics and in finance. They also prepare for the first actuarial examinations.
Mathematics Education
prepares students for careers as secondary school mathematics teachers. Students add education courses and experience in student teaching.
Academic Preparation
A solid background in high school mathematics is expected. Students desiring to major or minor in mathematics usually start with Calculus I, although advanced placement is available. For those requiring background for success in calculus, a precalculus course called "The Mathematics of Motion and Change" provides an interesting introduction.
Facilities & Resources
The Department of Mathematics is a leader among universities in the integrated use of technology to facilitate learning. Most courses are taught in classroom-laboratories equipped with computers. The department uses the computer algebra system Maple, as well as SPSS for statistics and ODE Architect for differential equations.
The Math Center provides enrichment and testing materials, facilities for group study, and computers. Mathematics majors, both graduate and undergraduate, serve as peer tutors and gain valuable experience in teaching others.
Internship & Career Opportunities
Qualified juniors and seniors may earn college credit while working with a business or industry in the local area. Past interns have worked in hospitals, banks, software development companies, and schools. Opportunities for participating in research are available. Recent and current projects include space-filling curves, knots and DNA, random walks, and topics in chaos theory. Graduates have found positions in business, industry, governmental agencies and secondary education.
Sponsored Student Activities
Mathematics Modeling Contest - The Department of Mathematics annually sponsors one or more teams of undergraduates for this national contest. A recent team of two freshmen and a senior completed a project involving the detection of the presence, size, and motion of a submarine within the natural background noise in the ocean.
The Mathematics Society - The student-run society holds monthly meetings and parties. Recent speakers described interesting careers or discussed varied research projects. Members may apply for membership in the student chapter of The Mathematical Association of America.
Pi Mu Epsilon - Qualified students may apply for this national honor society for undergraduates in mathematics.
Putnam Examination - Each year, interested students sit for this prestigious examination. In the past, a number of JU students have scored well.
Outcomes
Senior Han Duong was selected as one of 34 college and university students nationwide to participate in the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program. Han studied in Hungary with student colleagues from such institutions as Harvard, Cornell, University of California at Berkeley, and Stanford.
Graduate Laura Gunn completed the doctoral program at Duke University's Institute for Statistics & Decision Sciences. In addition to Duke, she was offered full tuition scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships at Clemson, Emory, Miami of Ohio, and Wake Forest.
Jacksonville University mathematics graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of areas. Some of their employers include the USF&G Insurance Co., NASA, Hewlett-Packard, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Internal Revenue Service, and Southern Bell.
Faculty – Mathematics
Marcelle Bessman (Professor & co-recipient, JU 1999 Innovative Teaching Award)
Ph.D., New York University.
Areas of Specialization: Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, History of Mathematics, Differential Equations.
Pam Crawford (Associate Professor & Chair)
Ph.D., Western Michigan University.
Areas of Specialization: Undergraduate Mathematics Education, History of Mathematics, Complex Analysis.
Robert Hollister (Associate Professor)
Ph.D., University of Montana.
Areas of Specialization: Statistics, Actuarial Science.
Michael Nancarrow (Assistant Professor)
Ph.D., Florida State University.
Areas of Specialization: Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Algebra, Calculus.
Marilyn Repsher (Professor & co-recipient, JU 1999 Innovative Teaching Award, 1999-2000 U.S. Professor of the Year)
Ph.D., Columbia University.
Areas of Specialization: Abstract Algebra, Calculus.
Peter M. Ryan (Associate Professor)
Ph.D., Dartmouth College.
Area of Specialization: Statistics.
Contacts
For additional or specific information, you can write, call or e-mail us:
Dr. Pam Crawford
Chair, Department of Mathematics
E-mail: pcrawfo@ju.edu
Office of Admissions
904-256-7000 or 800-225-2027 (toll-free)
E-mail: admissions@ju.edu
|
