MATHEMATICS
 The career of a mathematician in all of its various forms
has been rated as one of the top five jobs by The Jobs Rated Almanac.
Mathematicians are typically held in high regard on the basis of their
demonstrated proficiency with numbers and formulas, and with logical
problem-solving skills. Careers for mathematics majors cover a wide range
of opportunities. Mathematicians are employed by banks, investment
companies, and insurance companies where quantitative skills are
essential. Mathematics teachers continue to be in demand.
Computer Applications
Computers are utilized in a mathematics classroom. Mathematical software allows
mathematics to be studied in three representations: numeric, symbolic, and graphic.
Equipment/Facilities
Students currently have access to the college's network of interconnected computers and a
large mathematics classroom. The new computer-equipped classroom gives students access
to a large lab which uses mathematics software. While a great deal of work in
mathematics still uses pencil and paper, students are no longer restricted to those tools.
Calculators and computers provide efficient means of solving a wide range of problems, giving
students the chance to concentrate on underlying principles. Students are encouraged to
take advantage of these whenever possible.
Off-Campus Programs
Students who choose to do so may apply to participate in the Oak Ridge Science Semester at
the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Students spend part of their time during
the semester taking mathematics and science courses, and part of their time working with
ongoing research projects at the National Laboratory.
Summer internships and research opportunities are often
available for undergraduate mathematics students. These are typically sponsored by the
National Science Foundation and other government research agencies, and give students the
chance to engage in hands-on research activities at a large university. Usually housing
and meals are provided, and students are paid a stipend for their summer work.
Graduate School Opportunities
Graduate school programs in mathematics actively seek qualified students.
Assistantships and fellowships are available which waive tuition, and pay the graduate student
a stipend.
Mathematics graduates area also recruited by other graduate
programs. Students with good quantitative and problem-solving skills are well suited for
graduate studies in business administration (the M.B.A. degree) and law, as well as graduate
programs in engineering and computer science.
Mathematics Major
The Mathematics major requires a minimum of 36 semester hours
and has two components. The first component consists of courses required
of all majors.
Required courses include: MATH 151 (or equivalent), 152, 241, 253, 260, 330 or
420, COMP 161 (or equivalent).
The second component requires the completion of one of the following four tracks
and additional mathematics courses at the 200 level (except 324) in order to meet
or exceed the requirement of 36 semester hours.
1. Applied: 254, 301, 323
2. Statistics: 207, 339, 345
3. Graduate school preparation: 301, 311, 317
4. Secondary Education: 207, 317, 339
(course substitutions in any of the tracks must be approved by the department)
Teacher Certification
Those preparing for
secondary level Mathematics teaching must complete the major as specified
above and MATH 324. The additional requirements for certification are
described in the Education Department section of the catalog.
Mathematics Minor
The mathematics minor
requirement includes: one course in Calculus, MATH 241 or 260, three
semester hours at the 300 level, and additional mathematics courses at or
above the 150 level (except 324) in order to meet or exceed the college
requirement of 15 semester hours of work in mathematics.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Computer Science is a rapidly growing and ever-changing field that is primarily
concerned with software design and development. Study in the field of Computer
Science develops one’s abilities to think logically and promotes excellent
problem solving skills. With this preparation, Computer Science graduates
continue to be in high demand.
The Computer Science major at Monmouth College is designed to prepare students
for careers in the field of Computer Science by providing a high-quality
undergraduate Computer Science major within a liberal arts setting.
The
department’s goal is to prepare students for entry-level positions and also to
assist them in building a strong foundation of knowledge that is necessary for
graduate study and for lifelong learning. The curriculum emphasizes problem
solving and provides students with a combination of theory and practical
experience as well as introducing ethical and social issues that relate to the
discipline.
Computer Science Major
A major in Computer Science consists of a minimum of 36
semester hours consisting of the following:
COMP 161, 163, 230, 400
MATH 241 and 260
Additional computer science courses with numbering above 300.
In addition to these requirements, the department recommends the completion of a
college level calculus course.
Computer Science Minor
The Computer Science minor requirement includes: one
course in a programming language, COMP 163, three semester hours at the 300
level, and additional computer science courses at or above the 230 level to meet
or exceed the college requirement of 15 hours of work in computer science.
Programming Languages
Introductory courses are taught using C++ as the primary language. Programming
courses emphasize programming methods rather than features of a specific language, and our
graduates find that they are able to apply good programming principles and quickly learn to
use other programming languages as needed.
Course Work
Departmental curriculum includes: programming and data structures, assembly language,
systems analysis and design, operating systems, and file structures.
Students may select to take calculus and certain other
mathematics courses as part of the computer science major.
Practical Experience
Students complete a group project in computer science during the senior year.
Examples of software development projects have included: multimedia and database applications,
digital signal processing, and computer aided instruction projects.
Equipment/Facilities
Students have access to the college's network of computers, which run under Windows.
The college network is connected to the the Internet, which provides worldwide connections
with other computer systems. In addition, the department uses a computer equipped
classroom to incorporate modern technology into the learning process. Students are able
to take an active role in discovering concepts through cooperative experimentation, using
computer software tools to explore the essential question, "What if...?"
Off-Campus Programs
Students who choose to do so may apply to participate in the Oak Ridge Science Semester at
the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Students spend part of their time during
the semester taking computer science and other courses, and part of their time working with
ongoing research projects at the National Laboratory.
Summer internships and research opportunities are available for
undergraduate computer science students. These may be sponsored by the National Science
Foundation or other government research agencies, or by a private corporation, and give
students the chance to engage in hands-on activities at a large university or in a business
setting.
Career Opportunities
Careers for computer science majors cover a wide range of opportunities. Computer science
majors are held in high regard on the basis of demonstrated proficiency, not only with numbers
and formulas, but also with logical problem-solving. Recent computer science graduates have
found job opportunities in small businesses as well as large corporations, in medium-sized
cities as well as large metropolitan areas.
Graduate School Opportunities
Graduate school programs in computer science actively seek qualified students.
Assistantships and fellowships are available which waive tuition and pay the graduate student
a stipend. A good mathematics background is recommended for students considering graduate
computer science programs.
Computer science graduates may also choose other graduate
programs. Students with good quantitative and problem-solving skills are well suited for
graduate studies in business administration (the M.B.A. degree) and law, as well as graduate
programs in engineering and computer science.
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