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Prof. Weiwen Miao granted tenure (5/08)
Daughter born to Prof. Rob Manning
(2/08)
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Last updated: 2-22-08
In addition to our core curriculum, our program offers a great deal of flexibility in the areas to which students apply mathematics. Many of our students either double major (e.g., with physics, astronomy, economics, philosophy, history) or pursue a minor or concentration (computer science, mathematical economics, or educational studies). Our elective courses support these other interests, including courses in Linear Optimization and Game Theory, Statistics, Differential Equations, and Introduction to Scientific Computing. Many students write their senior papers on topics at the interface between mathematics and one of their other interests.
We also offer a large array of courses for the liberal arts student not planning to major or minor in math. Many students fulfill part of their distribution requirement by taking a calculus course. These courses go beyond the introduction to calculus many have seen in high school, involving a deeper study of the concepts behind calculus, and of how it is used to solve problems in many fields. We offer various levels of placement into calculus, based on the student’s high school preparation and interests. In addition, many students take a non-calculus-based course, such as Introduction to Probability and Statistics.
Here are some distinguishing features of our program:
The Math Question Center is an informal gathering place where students work in groups on math homework and get assistance when they need it. It is open five evenings each week, from 7-9 PM, and is staffed by mathematics faculty members and undergraduate majors. It is used by students in courses at all levels, from introductory calculus and statistics to our advanced courses.
A senior paper is written by each major, in close coordination with a faculty member. In the fall of the senior year, the student begins to focus on a topic (sometimes an interesting theorem, other times an application of mathematics in another field) and works through background material with the faculty advisor. In the spring, the student develops several drafts of the paper with the advisor, and concludes by presenting a short talk about the paper to faculty and fellow students. All seniors take a year-long senior seminar to support the senior paper. In the seminar, students take turn presenting portions of their senior papers to each other, to develop their skills in constructing and giving oral presentations.
We have a considerable number of mathematics talks for a school of our size. With Bryn Mawr we host the Bicollege Colloquium, which brings in mathematics speakers from around the country to talk about their research interests. We also regularly host speakers through Haverford’s Distinguished Visitors program. These visitors are prominent mathematical scientists who come to Haverford for several days to give talks to both a general audience and undergraduate mathematics students, as well as meet informally with students in small groups.
Research interests of our faculty include algebra, combinatorics, algebraic geometry, topology, mathematical biophysics, calculus of variations, mathematical pedagogy, mathematical economics, and statistics (and the faculty at Bryn Mawr have interests in dynamical systems, harmonic analysis, number theory, as well as some of the topics listed above). Often there are summer research opportunities for students to work with a faculty member on questions pertinent to his/her research program. These summer research projects can lead to joint student-faculty journal publications, and opportunities for students to present their work both on campus and at regional and national mathematics meetings.
We have strong interactions with the math department at Bryn Mawr. Many Haverford students take math courses at Bryn Mawr, and vice versa. This doubles the number of course choices available to our students. Electives that are not taught on one campus in a given year are often offered at the other campus, and core courses are offered at both schools, which can be a great help to students with scheduling conflicts. Bryn Mawr also offers many mathematical talks and social events complementing those offered at Haverford.
Computers are widely available, and used in introductory and advanced mathematics courses as well as in student research. For example, many courses use Mathematica, a powerful software system for symbolic, graphical, and numerical computations. In addition, many of our students pursue concentrations in computer science, or at least take multiple courses in the computer science curriculum, which is closely linked with the math curriculum.
Our faculty use a wide variety of pedagogical approaches in our courses. Some courses have large writing components, offering students the opportunity to rework problem solutions until they are polished. Other courses have students participate in computer laboratories and open-ended projects. Some instructors use cooperative learning (group work in the classroom) as a supplement to lectures. The use of a variety of teaching approaches allows us to accommodate different styles of learning.
The bottom line is that we are a small department in a small college. Students who major or minor in math often find themselves in courses with fewer than ten students. Faculty work closely with, and offer a great deal of support to, our students, and that is an important strength of our program.
Our Home!
In August 2002, the math
department moved into the Hilles wing of the new Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences
Center. (Click for a larger image.)
Morley's Theorem
was discovered at Haverford in
1899 (Click for more information.)
(New) May 2008
Senior oral presentations.
(Click for more pictures)
(New) May 2008
Spring Picnic.
(Click for more pictures)
December 2007
Senior poster party.
(Click for more pictures)
May 2007
Senior oral presentations.
(Click for more pictures)
November 2006
Senior poster party.
(Click for more pictures)
The Math Lounge
Touch with your mouse to see a
typical Friday afternoon view.
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A Typical Night
in the Math Question Center.
Click for a larger photo.