Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics

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Donald Heier, Ph.D., Chair

The focus of the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics is to promote quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and abstract and applied problem-solving skills. Specifically, the department provides students guided opportunities to develop powers of logical thought and critical analysis with an orientation for modeling in applications. Departmental courses are designed to provide an appropriate experience in mathematics, computer science, statistics, or physics for students whether they are taking courses to complete a major or minor offered by the department, taking courses to complement another major, or taking courses in the integrated general education program.

The Saint Mary’s chapter of the national physics honor fraternity Sigma Pi Sigma was founded in 1964; it is the second-oldest chapter of this prestigious society in the state of Minnesota.  Saint Mary’s chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national honorary mathematics society, was founded in 1980.

Mathematics Placement

As part of the university advising program, the department makes recommendations for each student concerning their mathematics and/or statistics placement. These recommendations are based on their ACT subscore in mathematics. Students may challenge their placement by successfully completing a competency exam.   Competency exams are offered to incoming students during the summer orientation sessions. They may also be taken at other times by arrangement with the department chair. Students who have a high school background in calculus are encouraged to apply for credit through advanced standing. For credit in calculus, a sufficiently high score on the national Advanced Placement (AP) College Entrance Examination, the CLEP Calculus Test, or the Saint Mary’s University Advanced Placement Calculus Test is required.

Actuarial Science

This area of the department blends mathematics and business, preparing students for a career in actuarial science. Professionals in the actuarial science field analyze the financial consequences of risk using mathematics, statistics and financial theory. This high-demand field is highly rated by many news outlets.

General Goals for Learning:

Students in actuarial science:

• Understand and use mathematical, statistical and business theory and techniques to analyze and solve problems;
• Communicate about and with mathematics and finance in oral and written formats; and
• Possess the foundations necessary for a professional career as an actuary.

Computer Science

This area of the department develops ethical and professional leaders in one of four areas: software design, cybersecurity, management information systems, or data analytics. The software design track emphasizes the acquisition of programming and technology development skills in modern application environments. The cybersecurity and data analytics tracks provide students with a strong core of programming and technology skills, while introducing students to relevant knowledge in their respective areas. The management information systems track provides students with both business and technical knowledge to be effective in positions where they manage the design and development of technology base solutions for companies. This program strives to engage students with outside partners in the computing industry as well as on-campus partners through internships and a required capstone project.

General Goals for Learning:

Students in Computer Science (regardless of track) will develop:

• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills and use these skills to solve complex computing problems: and
• Communication and interpersonal skills necessary to perform effectively in a technical environment.

Mathematics and Statistics

This area of the department aims to demonstrate the precision, beauty, and power of mathematics and statistics, their systematic organization, symbolic clarity and exact reasoning, and their capacity for yielding generalizations and predictions from data submitted to mathematical and statistical laws.

General Goals for Learning:

Students in mathematics or statistics:

• Communicate about and with mathematics and statistics in oral and written formats;
• Understand and use mathematical and statistical theory and techniques to analyze and solve problems;
• Translate real-world problems into mathematical situations and then apply mathematics and/or statistics to solve the problems; and
• Use technology for the communication and learning of mathematics and/or statistics.

Physics

This area of the department presents students a broad survey of the interconnected concepts of classical and 20th-century physics. All students in physics classes should gain an appreciation of science as a human and creative endeavor, acquire and be able to apply skills of quantitative reasoning, and understand science’s distinctive disciplinary methodology, with its emphasis on experimentation and open communication. Science majors in physics courses should in addition master foundational physics principles and analytical methods, learn experimental techniques to test physical models, and be able to apply these principles, methods, and techniques to their own professions.

Through class and laboratory work, students develop the ability to interpret phenomena in light of existing theories. A strong emphasis is placed upon laboratory experience in order to bring students to a level where they can work independently, and where they have developed initiative and reliability in their work.

General Goals for Learning:

Students in physics:

• Live, continue learning, and pursue careers as scientifically literate and technologically competent adults;
• Demonstrate and profit from their expertise in the techniques of modern experimental physics and electronics;
• Appropriately and advantageously employ computer technology both for data acquisition and processing, and algorithm development and execution; and
• Communicate their knowledge and skills effectively and cogently in a variety of modalities (oral, written and graphical).

Programs

• Actuarial Science Major, B.A.
• Computer Science Major: Cybersecurity Track, B.A.
• Computer Science Major: Data Analytics Track, B.A.
• Computer Science Major: Management Information Systems Track, B.A.
• Computer Science Major: Software Design Track, B.A.
• Mathematics Major, B.A.
• Mathematics Major: Mathematics Education Track, B.A.

• Computer Science Minor
• Mathematics Minor
• Physics Minor
• Recreational Mathematics Minor
• Scientific Computing Minor
• Statistics Minor

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