Mathematics Major

Develop your expertise for a variety of careers.

The Mathematics Major will prepare you for advanced study and research as well as for a career in business, industry, government, or teaching. You are encouraged to seek the advice of your faculty advisor in the selection of a concentration and elective courses that will best prepare you for your career choice.

Mathematics is the language of science and also plays a key role in many of the social sciences. An understanding of mathematics provides a powerful approach to solving problems through organization, simplification, and abstraction. In today’s job market, individuals with highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills are in great demand. Therefore, there are numerous career options for you if you choose to major in mathematics.

Concentrations in Mathematics

Explore sample courses in this program.

MA-107 Mathematical Explorations - Invitation to Effective Thinking

Analysis of mathematical topics including (but not limited to) logical thinking, elementary number theory, concepts of infinity, geometry gems, modeling through graphs, fractals, and uncertainty.

3 credits

MA-130 Number and Operations for Teachers

Develops understanding of the mathematical content of number and operations at the deep level required for successful elementary and middle school teaching.

3 credits

MA-131 Patterns, Functions, and Algebra for Teachers

Develops understanding of the mathematical content of patterns, functions, and algebra at the deep level required for successful elementary and middle school teaching.

3 credits

MA-132 Geometry, Measurement, Probability, and Statistics for Teachers

Develops understanding of the mathematical content of geometry, measurement, probability, and statistics at the deep level required for successful elementary and middle school teaching.

3 credits

MA-150 Statistics I

Descriptive techniques, elementary probability, distribution of the sample mean, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing of the means of 1 and 2 samples, linear regression, and correlation.

3 credits

MA-180 Introduction to Functions

Properties, graphing, and applications of linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; systems of linear equations.

3 credits

MA-190 Pre-calculus

Review of exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometric functions, identities, and equations; systems of linear equations and inequalities; conic sections; and applications.

4 credits

MA-200 Calculus I

Limits, continuity, differentiation and integration of functions, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, L’Hôpital’s Rule, applications including related rates, optimization, and area.

4 credits

MA-201 Calculus II

Techniques of integration, infinite sequences and series, power series, applications including volume and functional approximation.

4 credits

MA-202 Business Calculus

Review of functions, limits, derivatives, integration, and introduction to multivariate calculus. Business applications of these topics.

4 credits

MA-240 Theory of Proof

Logic and proof, set theory, math induction, relations, functions, sequences and convergence, limits and continuity, congruences, introductions to groups.

4 credits

MA-260 Linear Algebra

Solutions of simultaneous equations by means of matrices and determinants; vector spaces and linear transformations; also, as time permits, characteristic values and bilinear and quadratic forms.

3 credits

MA-302 Probability and Statistics

Descriptive statistics, probability theory, combinatorics, correlation, regression, and inference techniques.

3 credits

MA-303 Mathematical Modeling

The development, analysis, and application of continuous and discrete-time models from the physical, financial, and life sciences.

3 credits

MA-304 Data Analysis

Case studies combining applied statistics, mathematical statistics, mathematics, computing, and communications to simulate work experience of a practicing statistician.

4 credits

MA-309 Topics in Mathematics for Middle and Secondary Teachers

Students strengthen and expand their knowledge of the mathematics taught in middle/high school. Specific emphasis is placed on topics in geometry and trigonometry.

3 credits

MA-310 Calculus III

Vectors, parametric equations, polar, cylindrical and spherical coordinates, multivariable functions, properties and applications, partial derivatives, multiple integrals.

4 credits

MA-320 Ordinary Differential Equations

Techniques for solving first- and second-order ordinary differential equations, including Laplace transformations, numerical approximations, and graphical techniques.

3 credits

MA-340 Modern Geometry

Topics from Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry.

3 credits

MA-360 Number Theory

Divisibility properties of integers, prime numbers, the Euclidean algorithm, the unique factorization theorem, congruences, Diophantine equations, number theoretic functions.

3 credits

MA-380 Probability

Probability concepts including counting, conditional probability, independence, expectation, and variance of univariate and multivariate distributions. This is the first course in a 2-course sequence that prepares students for the first actuarial exam.

3 credits

MA-405 Abstract Algebra

Introduction to groups, rings, and fields.

3 credits

MA-410 Real Analysis

Rigorous treatment of sequences, topology of the real numbers, continuity; also, as time allows, differentiation, integration.

3 credits

MA-425 Mathematical Statistics

A rigorous treatment of statistical inference including maximum likelihood estimators, sufficiency, consistency, hypothesis tests, likelihood ratio tests, and Bayesian inference.

3 credits

MA-498 Internship: Mathematics

Working in and for an organization where one’s skills can be tested in real-world situations. Students have an opportunity to gain experience, increase knowledge in various functional areas, and establish important contacts with an organization.

3 credits

Meet the Mathematics Faculty

Kyle Allaire

Assistant Professor

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Noah Daleo

Associate Professor

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Mary Fowler

Professor

I joined Worcester State University Mathematics Department in 2004. I earned my Ph.D. in Statistics from Carnegie Mellon University in 1989. While I have enjoyed working as an applied statistician in many fields nothing brings me more joy than [...]

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Maria Fung

Professor

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Elizabeth Gilbert

Associate Professor and Chair

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Hy Ginsberg

Professor

Most of my research has been in finite group theory, but I have recently become fascinated by "totally symmetric quasigroups," and in particular the problem of counting how many such objects exist for a set of a given size (recently published results [...]

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Jason A. Hardin

Professor of Mathematics, Math Center Co-Director

My research focuses on commutative algebra, homological algebra, and algebraic geometry, with particular interest in the algebraic properties of Ext*R(M, N) over complete intersections. I also study matrix factorizations and their applications in [...]

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Caitlin Krul

Associate Professor

I earned my Bachelor's degree from Salem State College and my Master's and Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island. As an undergraduate I studied both mathematics and education, and my Ph.D. dissertation was a blend of the two disciplines. At [...]

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Eileen Perez

Professor

Developmental Mathematics Program Director with over 10 years in the field. Interested in Math Pathways and Co-requisite courses. Active participant and instructor in summer bridge programs focusing on college readiness, including AID, Alternatives [...]

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Hansun To

Professor

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Michael Winders

Professor

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Math student at Worcester State, Michael Rose

Worcester State provided both foundational knowledge and the opportunity to investigate broader areas of math that have been critical to success in my professional roles.

— Michael Rose, Math

Teaching 7th grade Math is an endlessly rewarding career that makes a positive impact on our youth.

— Rachel To '20

Jason Green Worcester State Math Student

The Worcester State Math Department gave me a friendly and supportive environment to learn and help others learn. The faculty inspired me to apply to graduate school and pursue my goal of being a professor someday!

— Jason Green, Alum, Math Major

The Math department at Worcester State played an important role in my success as they provided me with all the right tools to build a competitive resume.

— Meighan Casey '20

The skills I gained from Math make me confident in pursuing an array of fields which I would otherwise not have–like data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

— Marcos Felipe '21