Handbook
for Math
Majors/Minors
2009-2010
Mathematics has always
had a
central position in the liberal arts. It has also come to play a
prominent and
growing role in society at large. Mathematical analysis and modeling
are involved
in more and more fields, not just the "hard" sciences and
engineering. This fact is reflected in the diversity of students who
study at
least some mathematics during their time at Washington University, as well as in concerns
expressed
regularly in the media about the need for a mathematically educated
population
in a world that is more and more technological.
Students
major in mathematics for many different reasons. Some are
planning
academic careers in mathematics, involving teaching or research. Others
plan to
work as actuaries, or at other jobs in industry or government. Some
plan
careers in secondary education. Many math majors do not intend to
become
"mathematicians" at all, but simply realize that quantitative
training is a valuable asset in many work situations. Still others
simply view
mathematics as an interesting concentration in their liberal arts
education,
even though they plan to enter such professional fields as medicine or
law.
The
Department uses e-mail to try to keep majors up
to date about important announcements, upcoming events and other items of
interest. Faculty also use e-mail to
communicate with advisees and students, so
please check your e-mail regularly. In
addition, each major should also have a mail folder
in the Math Office (Cupples I, Room 100).
Please bookmark the department’s Undergraduate Web Page in your browser and take a look at the site each week. The undergraduate page has a “bulletin
board” of announcements and news items for majors, and links to a lot of other
useful pages, including the online version of this Math Major/Minor
Handbook. (The online version is always up-to-date; this printed version is only
revised once a year, during the summer; in addition, the online version contains
a lot of useful hyperlinks.)
There
is also an Undergraduate Bulletin Board at the west end of the hall on the
second floor of Cupples I, next to the Undergraduate Lounge. News items as well as information about
things like fellowships, REUs, job opportunities are posted there
whenever we get them.
The
Ross Middlemiss Undergraduate Math Lounge is located in Cupples I, Room 222. It is intended as a space for majors to study
or just hang out and socialize while in the building. It contains study tables,
chalkboards, some undergraduate math texts for use while working in the lounge,
comfortable furniture, a fridge, a microwave, a phone, a computer/printer and a
wireless transmitter. If you’re a
declared major, you can get the combination for the lock on the door from the receptionist
in the Math Office or from Professor Ron Freiwald. We try to remember to give that combination
to each student when the major is declared.
If you find errors in this handbook or
have questions, please contact Prof.
Ron Freiwald.
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