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 […]
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.
Latest News
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
Munro Krull, Erin C.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics and the Mark and Janice Franzen Professorship in Applied Mathematics
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. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Franzen Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.
Advising at RiponRequirements
Requirements for a major in Mathematics: MTH 206, 224, 305, 501-502, and at least 16 credits of mathematics courses numbered above 206 (excluding 401), at least eight of which are at the 400 level. Note that while MTH 201 and 202 are not a part of the major, MTH 202 is a prerequisite for several courses in the major, particularly MTH 206 and 224. Students intending to study mathematics in graduate school should consult with their advisors about appropriate additional courses.
Requirements for a minor in Mathematics: Eighteen 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
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.