Math  
 

AQ Difference

 
Undergraduate Student Research Prospective Math Students: Science, Nursing & Math AQDay
 

Wittgenstein Imitated Badly:  A contest for Aquinas students, faculty and staff.

The winner of our Wittgenstein Imitated Badly contest, by vote of the CA310 students, is Casey Thomas. Casey received a copy of the graphic novel Logicomix as his prize. Congratulations, Casey!

 

His winning entry:
"I want to play a game; that is to say that there is a game I want to play. However it is a different sort of game, which is to say that it is not the same as a normal sort of game. It will not be played to win but to be more and more successful; this means you’re going to lose but you’ll be able to tell your friends that they suck compared to you so you win anyways. The game therefore is a contradiction so it does not exist. Therefore, Tetris does not and yet does exist. Game over?"

 
Student Publications

We have five published researchers from the Aquinas College Department of Mathematics!

These are top, refereed journals and the math department is proud to see the benefits of the Mohler-Thompson summer research grants paying off so quickly. View the cover of Involve to learn more about Nate and Laura's articles. Involve (pdf)
 
 
Undergraduate Research/Conference

The Summer 2011 Mohler-Thompson researchers, Ian Hart and Megan Ternes, presented this year in the Math Club at the Aquinas Mohler-Thompson Poster Session.  Megan also showed off her work at the Van Andel’s annual undergraduate conference in 2011.

 
Actuarial Association
Our past Math Club president Andrew Borgman became our latest student to pass the P Actuarial exam and the first to receive his reimbursement from the Sr. Mary Catherine Brechting OP Fund. This highly competitive exam costs just under $200. The Aquinas College Department of Mathematics supports students interested in Actuarial Science with its Aquinas Actuarial Association which keeps track of old exams and sets up professor/student study groups.
 
Internet Security Minor

The Math Department has created a CIS/Math minor in internet security. The unusual math components are a Math and Technology seminar where students learn to program in Maple and other technological packages, Number Theory and Modern Cryptography which builds on Number Theory to study the current internet security standard, RSA and its rivals for the next standard. We also study the ways to hack RSA and its rivals.

 
Outstanding Senior Awards 20113
Senior Awards

 

 

 

 

Graduating senior Megan Ternes was honored as the Mathematics Department's Outstanding Senior for the 2012-2013 academic year.

 

Congratulations Megan!

 
 
Math Department Goals, Objectives and Outcomes
Mathematics Major Student Learning Outcomes:
  1. Study various branches of mathematics including calculus, linear algebra and abstract algebra.
  2. Communicate mathematics using correct terminology and notation.
  3. Apply mathematics creatively and thinks critically.
  4. Use technology to support the study of mathematics.
 
Goal: Provide courses in which all students will have an opportunity to extend their study of mathematics.
Objectives for this goal:
  1. Students will be encouraged to learn mathematics by doing mathematics, and by solving problems of significant depth. Techniques to accomplish this may include the use of technology, group projects, and learning by discovery.
  2. Instruction will be provided that will allow students to understand the connections between mathematics, other disciplines, and the world around us as well as between different mathematical topics. They will be taught to communicate these concepts effectively.
Outcome:
  • Outcome #1: Students will be able to communicate mathematical ideas effectively either orally or in writing, using mathematical terms correctly and proper notation.
  • Criteria for Outcome #1: Students will show evidence of this ability to communicate effectively by having every mathematics class require written papers, written projects, or oral projects of significant depth. A sample of these will be collected and kept in the mathematics department.
 
Goal: Provide students in our client disciplines with the up to date skills and problem solving experiences necessary to be successful in their chosen major and in the future.
Objectives for this goal:
  1. Learning experiences will be provided which make clear, to the student in these disciplines, the general problem solving power of the mathematical sciences.
  2. Courses will provide students with the mathematical skills necessary for their current needs as well as a sound basis for the future.
Outcome:
  • Outcome #1: Students will apply the mathematical techniques required by the client disciplines.
  • Criteria for Outcome #1: The faculty of the client disciplines will be consulted periodically to determine if the mathematical skills of their students are appropriate for success in their programs.
 
Goal: Provide students with courses in mathematics education, consistent with the recommendations of the professional societies in content and philosophy.
Objectives for this goal:
  1. Courses will be provided that will allow students to obtain mastery in mathematics at the appropriate level in which they will be certified.
  2. Courses will be provided that will allow students to understand and use the methodology for teaching and assessing mathematics while addressing the needs and learning styles of individual students.
  3. Courses will be provided that will allow students to become aware of current research in mathematics education to gain the ability to evaluate different methods of teaching mathematics and to develop their own philosophy of teaching.
Outcome:
  • Outcome #1: Students will read journal publications relating to mathematics education and compare and contrast a timely topic with his or her own philosophy for teaching.
  • Criteria for Outcome #1: Students will submit or deliver orally a formal report to document the outcome. Samples will be maintained in the mathematics department.
 
Goal: Provide the opportunity for the study of mathematics in depth.
Objectives for this goal:
  1. The mathematics program for majors will emphasize the nature and philosophy of mathematics so that these students are adequately prepared for mathematics based careers, graduate schools, or professional schools.
  2. Courses will be taught as to emphasize the connections between mathematics and the real world, and how to communicate those results effectively.
  3. Students will be taught to understand mathematics and not just memorize it. They will be shown how to develop, know, apply and appreciate mathematics.
Outcome:
  • Outcome #1: Students will demonstrate knowledge of fundamental mathematical concepts.
  • Criteria for Outcome #1: Students will complete a departmental exam covering these fundamental concepts.