The program serves two kinds of students: abstract thinkers who are drawn to mathematics’ structural beauty, and students who desire to use mathematics to solve real-world problems. Regularly scheduled courses, both theoretical and applied, are supplemented with independent study options tailored to students’ individual interests. Some students focus the greater part of their intellectual energy in mathematics alone, while others combine mathematics with another field, such as business administration, chemistry, biology, physics or economics. In fact, students have combined study in mathematics with every other major on campus.

Having a background in the mathematical sciences is highly valued in today’s workforce. Throughout the mathematical sciences curriculum, students will acquire technical skills, cultivate general problem-solving strategies, and develop the ability to communicate their solutions clearly, both in writing and in speech.

Achieve More

Latest News

Larry Huebner '83

Larry Huebner ’83 receives two major NASA awards

Two awards from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have been received by Larry Huebner ’83 of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama. Huebner joined NASA […]

Therace M. Risch ’94 promoted in executive leadership position

Therace M. Risch ’94 of Frisco, Texas, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief information and technology officer at American Electric Power. The […]

Erin Munro Krull’s research utilizes new mathematical technique

Erin Munro Krull, assistant professor of mathematics and the Mark and Janice Franzen Professor in Applied Mathematics, recently published an article in Frontiers in Neuroscience. […]

Faculty

Erin Munro Krull

Munro Krull, Erin C.

Assistant Professor of Mathematics and the Mark and Janice Franzen Professorship in Applied Mathematics

David Scott Portrait

Scott, David W.

Associate Professor of Mathematics, Chair of Mathematical Sciences Department

Advising

Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.

As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.

Advising at Ripon

Requirements

Requirements for a Major in Mathematics
Core Courses MTH 206 Multiple Variable Calculus, 224 Linear Algebra, 248 Introduction to Proof through Discrete Concepts or 305 Introduction to Mathematical Proofs, 501 Senior Seminar I-502 Senior Seminar II
Additional Criteria at least 16 credits of mathematics courses numbered above 206 (excluding 401 Secondary Teaching Methods), at least eight of which are at the 400 level.
Prerequisites Note that while MTH 201 Calculus I and 202 Calculus II are not a part of the major, MTH 202 Calculus II is a prerequisite for several courses in the major, particularly MTH 206 Multiple Variable Calculus and 224 Linear Algebra. Students intending to study mathematics in graduate school should consult with their advisors about appropriate additional courses.

Requirements for a Minor in Mathematics
Electives 18 credits in mathematics courses numbered 201 or higher (excluding MTH 401), at least one of which is numbered 224 or higher. A coherent program of courses should be designed in consultation with the minor advisor.

Requirements for a Students seeking teacher licensure in middle and high school in mathematics
Core Courses Must fulfill the requirements for the Math Major and must take MTH 361 , either 120 Elementary Statistics or 220 Data Analysis or 432 Mathematical Statistics, and 401 Secondary Teaching Methods. Students must also complete the secondary education major.

Career Tracks

Graduates successfully pursue careers in fields such as industry, insurance (as actuaries), government and finance. Many graduates may attend professional schools in law, medicine or business. Others may go directly into teaching or go on to graduate programs in mathematics, applied mathematics, engineering, economics and computer science.

Recent graduates hold job titles of Unix Systems administrator, math teacher, business analyst, data analyst, operator engineer, structural engineer, problem manager analyst, loan specialist, tech consultant, business process developer, director of information technology, and IT service management lead.

Unique Opportunities

  • Students at all levels can collaborate with faculty on independent research projects. Recent projects include analyses of the board games Monopoly and Chutes and Ladders, modeling the carp population in Green Lake, and using computer models to test for gerrymandering.Results from these collaborations have been published in professional journals. Students also have  presented papers and posters at local and national conferences.
  • Active learning techniques are emphasized. Rather than simply presenting insights, interactive, collaborative class experiences are created to help students generate their own understanding of the material.
  • In addition to traditional mathematics, the curriculum incorporates elements of computer programming, both as a means to explore abstract concepts via computational examples and as a tool to bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications.
  • Student groups include Ripon College Math Club and Pi Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honors Society.

Facilities

The department’s two computer laboratories feature current-generation computer systems and computational resources. Computer systems are connected to the campus computing facilities and the Internet by way of a DS3 connection. More computer systems are accessible in five laboratories at other campus locations. Software for symbolic computer algebra, statistical analysis, word processing, software development, spreadsheets, and a variety of other productivity and analysis tools are available on all computer systems in our laboratories.