Mathematics and Actuarial Science
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
https://www.ashland.edu/cas/departments/mathematics-and-computer-science-department
Chair
Christopher Swanson, Professor of Mathematics
Faculty
Gordon Swain, Professor of Mathematics
Darren Wick, Professor of Mathematics
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science in Education
Mission
The mission of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is to educate students in the areas of mathematics and computer science. The department is committed to providing students with a broad overview of the central concepts of mathematics, computer science, and logic. The mathematics and computer science curricula are supported by the foundation of a liberal arts education.
Student Learning Outcomes
Mathematics
Students will be able to apply mathematical techniques to problem-solving
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the formal structure of mathematics
Students will be able to communicate mathematics in writing clearly and accurately
Integrated Mathematics
Each student will be able to demonstrate and explain problem-solving methods
Each student will demonstrate their understanding of the relevance of collegiate level mathematics to high school level mathematics
Each student will be able to communicate mathematics orally in a clear and accurate manner
Actuarial Science
Students will be able to apply mathematical techniques to actuarial and statistical problem-solving
Students will demonstrate their proficiency at using technology to solve actuarial and statistical problems and at interpreting the technology’s output
Students will be able to communicate mathematics and statistics in writing clearly and accurately
Facilities and Equipment
All classrooms are equipped with networked instructor workstations, including audiovisual and computer projection systems. Programming courses are taught in a computer classroom with student workstations. In addition to the university network and open computer labs, the department maintains a dedicated laboratory for majors. The lab contains a wide variety of computer hardware, running Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. The computers are equipped with scientific typesetting software, software development tools, compilers, word processors, spreadsheet programs, database programs, web design and programming tools, audio and video editing software, multimedia software, computer algebra systems, statistical and geometric software, and many other applications.
Student Organizations
Any interested student may join the student chapters of the Mathematical Association of America, the Association for Computing Machinery or the National Cybersecurity Student Association.
Pi Mu Epsilon, Ohio Rho chapter, honors students who have excelled in mathematics and promotes scholarly activity in mathematics among students. Membership is offered to sophomore mathematics majors who have completed three semesters of college mathematics including one semester of calculus, with a 4.0 GPA in their mathematics courses, and who are in the top quarter of their class overall; or juniors and seniors who have completed at least two years of college mathematics including calculus, with a 3.0 GPA in their mathematics courses, and who are in the top 1/3 of their class.
Description of Majors
Both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees prepare students for jobs in industry such as actuary, operations research analyst, quality control engineer, mathematics consultant, or for further study in graduate school. The analytical and logical abilities developed in these programs prepare students for further study in many other areas, such as business, law, or medicine. Additionally, the Comprehensive Major in Actuarial Science prepares students for the Society of Actuaries' Actuarial Examinations on Probability and Financial Mathematics.
The Bachelor of Science in Education degree, along with teacher licensure, prepares students to teach mathematics in grades 7-12.
Degree Requirements
Assessment – Students majoring in department programs will participate in assessment of the Student Learning Outcomes for each major through assessments embedded in appropriate courses.
Mathematics Courses and Descriptions