Mathematics continues to be a vibrant and growing discipline. At Ramapo College students can find a mathematics program that is challenging, up-to-date, and tailored to meet their career needs. Students are offered the choice between a traditional major and one concentrating on teacher education. A blend of pure and applied mathematics courses is offered to provide students with a firm and diverse foundation. This gives the student the opportunity to pursue graduate study, to teach at the secondary or elementary school level, or to seek employment in industry or government.

Students are expected and encouraged to become familiar with emerging technologies. Mathematics is no longer simply a traditional subject of instruction, it is also an important tool in developing these new technologies. Mathematics majors at Ramapo College take a semester of computer science, and continue to develop their technological skills in higher level mathematics courses. This incorporation of computers and graphing calculators helps students develop the skills necessary to meet the challenges of the technology age.

Mathematics education is facing new and important challenges. The need for mathematics teachers is currently strong and expected to grow. The mathematics program at Ramapo College prepares students for careers in education, through the teacher education concentration within the mathematics major.  This program is tailored to provide the background and insights needed for a career in secondary education.  In addition to the standard calculus-analysis sequence, students receive instruction in algebra, geometry, number theory, probability, statistics, and the history of mathematics.  Mathematics majors intending to pursue a career in elementary education will also benefit from the diversity of courses offered in the teacher education concentration; through those courses students receive instruction in the practices and methods of teaching.  The program culminates in student teaching in area schools.

A knowledge of mathematics offers students a diversity of job opportunities beyond teaching as well. Someone who has completed a major in mathematics has developed a strong set of quantitative and analytical skills. A person possessing such skills, along with experience in computer science, is well-qualified to pursue a career in such areas as actuarial science (primarily in the insurance industry), quantitative analysis (a growing field in the financial industry), market research, scientific programming, biomedical statistics, cryptography (one of the nation’s largest employers of mathematicians is the National Security Agency) and diverse other fields.

Students in mathematics can also continue their education in graduate or professional school. Someone who has pursued a graduate degree will have, in addition to the opportunities mentioned above, the possibility of a career in research (many such positions exist in both industry and government) or in teaching at the college or university level.

The faculty in the mathematics program at Ramapo College consists of highly qualified, dedicated, experienced, and caring instructors. The knowledge of this faculty encompasses a wide spectrum of the mathematical cosmos. Whether a student has an interest in mathematical analysis, abstract algebra, probability and statistics, topology, Fourier analysis, or graph theory, there will be a faculty member to share that interest. The ever-increasing importance that the computer plays in our world is recognized by the mathematics faculty. This faculty has the knowledge to assist and instruct students in mathematics, computer science, and the interaction between the two fields.

The mathematics major is offered by the School of Theoretical and Applied Science and leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

The mathematics minor itself is an excellent complement to a wide range of majors.

Students who are mathematics majors (especially those in the traditional track) are encouraged to complete a Master of Science program in Data Science at Ramapo College or declare a minor in another area. Some popular choices of a minor among our students include computer science, physics, accounting and finance. In Data Science students learn a variety of mathematical, statistical, and computer science tools in order to analyze data. Master program in Data Science can be easily tailored into RCNJ’s mathematics traditional track as a 4+1 year long program (as opposed to 4+2) as long as students apply for it early, around their junior year. According to a recent market analysis, there are many job opportunities in Data Science and the field is growing.

Goal 1: Develop logic, reasoning and problem solving skills

Outcome 1: Students will develop valid and coherent proofs.

Outcome 2: Students will display a broad range of computational skills.

Outcome 3: Students will gain a rigorous knowledge of the foundations of mathematics.

Goal 2: Develop communication skills 

        Outcome 4: Students will communicate mathematics with precision, clarity and organization.

Goal 3: Develop interdisciplinary skills 

Outcome 5: Students will understand how mathematics developed from a historical point of view.

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below.  Waivers do not apply to Major Requirements.
2. Double counting between General Education and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
3. Writing Intensive Requirement (five courses):  two writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: Critical Reading and Writing and Studies in the Arts and Humanities the other three courses are taken in the major.
4. Not all courses are offered each semester.  Please check the current Schedule of classes for semester course offerings.

MATHEMATICS MAJOR

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

1. At least 1/2 of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, two of the four courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A school core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

MATHEMATICS MINOR

General Education Requirements
Four Year Plan
Graduation Requirements
School of Theoretical and Applied Science Website
Faculty Profiles
Mathematics Convening Group Website