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The Major and Minor Programs

The Department of Mathematics embraces the general mission and goals of both the University and the College of Arts and Sciences. Accordingly, its operations derive from these roots, especially in providing the student with the tools for lifelong learning. The language, structure, beauty and utility of Mathematics are as important in the General Education curriculum as they are for the curricula aimed at the minor and major in Mathematics. Our goals are to equip the graduate with the tools necessary to fully participate in a technological society a competitive global environment.

The specific mission for the minor in Mathematics is to prepare him/her to understand the foundations for the immediately applicable Mathematics---Calculus, Linear Algebra and certain Applied Mathematics disciplines.

 

The specific mission for the major in Mathematics is to produce in him/her a well trained mathematician capable of both research and teaching in general. In particular a Howard University trained mathematician must be comfortable when employed as an actuarial scientist, a computer scientist and/or a mathematician/researcher in schools, government or industry.

A Mathematics major may choose an area of concentration from among Actuarial Science, Computer Science and Pure/Applied Mathematics. Each of these has a full-fledged program aimed at producing competent professionals in the area. The division into areas of concentration was to facilitate the production of careerists, in certain fields, among the hitherto under-represented groups, especially the African-American.

In addition to the Senior Comprehensive Examination mandated by the College of Arts and Sciences, the effectiveness of our programs is assessed by the performance of our students on nationwide examinations such as the first few examinations of the Society of Actuaries and the subject test of the Graduate Record Examination.