Student Organizations & Groups:
 Quick FactLast year alone, majors from Mathematics and Computer Science were quarterbacking for the football team, goaltending for soccer and playing shortstop for the baseball team. In fact, the Scots varsity and club teams counting Math, Computer Science and Engineering majors on their 05-06 rosters included baseball, football, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, cheerleading and equestrian. Student Research: Senior StudyAndrew Masterson ‘06 (Computer Science/Mathematics) researched the theory, algorithms, and standards of cryptography, culminating in the development and implementation of his own original cryptographic algorithm. Julie Cook ‘06 (Mathematics) determined classes of functions for which common (but incorrect) methods often tried by students in algebra or calculus still yield correct results. Tim Morton ‘05 (Computer Science/Mathematics) studied Java games programming and wrote a suite of computer games. Sara O’Neal ‘04 (Computer Science/Mathematics) developed and programmed a website for online baseball card trading, including an administrative interface, using .NET technology. Andrey Khomenko ‘04 (Computer Science/Business) developed and programmed a website for online auctions, including an administrative interface, using PHP and MySQL. Trent Gilland ‘04 (Mathematics) researched the mathematics behind the Bowl Championship Series rankings in NCAA football, and developed his own alternative method for ranking the teams. Nate Lee ‘04 (Math for Teacher Licensure) used Graph Theory to develop an algorithm for winning Sir William Rowan Hamilton’s 150-year old Icosian Game. Nathan Hodges ‘04 (Math for Teacher Licensure) researched how to quantify a change in momentum in basketball, and then did a statistical analysis on whether three-pointers were more likely to lead to a change in momentum than two-pointers. |
Meet The Students Student ProfileName: Beth Fowler '07 Q: What made you decide to choose Maryville College, and a major in Mathematics? A: I knew that I wanted to attend a relatively small, liberal arts college because I wanted to have a broad education and be considered an individual rather than a number at a huge university. Since both of my parents and my maternal grandmother are alumni of Maryville College and my paternal grandmother was a professor at the College several years ago, I began to seriously consider Maryville. After visiting the beautiful campus, I fell in love with the small atmosphere and felt at home. I came to Maryville College thinking that I would major in mathematics with teacher licensure and teach high school; however, after experiencing upper-level mathematics courses and participating in a summer math program, I realized that I wanted strive for graduate school in mathematics. Q: In what ways is your Maryville College experience preparing you for your future vocation? A: Since my current career goal is to become a professor at a liberal arts school like Maryville College, I know that a successful graduate school experience is the next step. Through course scheduling and even an independent study, the math department has made it possible for me to build a strong background in the areas of math (such as a course sequence in Modern Algebra and Advanced Calculus) that are essential for graduate school. I will have the opportunity to research an additional topic and gain experience in writing mathematics with the requirement of a Senior Study, as well. Q: What have been your favorite courses? A: Within my major I have found Modern Algebra to be very enjoyable because it takes the basic ideas that I learned in high school algebra, generalizes them, and expands on those ideas through theory and proofs. While it was initially difficult to comprehend a math course that dealt very little with specific numbers, I became fascinated with this abstract branch of mathematics. On the other hand, Physics was also quite interesting because it relied on Calculus concepts to demonstrate certain phenomena observable in the real world such as magnetism, forces acting on an object, and the relationship among position, velocity, and acceleration. Q: What’s the best thing about being a math major at Maryville College? A: The professors are very knowledgeable in the areas of mathematics that they teach, and they present the material in a way that is understandable but challenges the students to think. However, more importantly, the professors take a special interest in each of their students, helping them in any way possible. It is comfortable to know that I can talk to my professors on a personal level in addition to ask them course-related questions. I have also found that the students in the math department form a little community by working together on assignments and laughing together both in and out of class. Q: What are your other interests and involvements on campus? A: I am a tutor for various math courses including Calculus and Linear Algebra, and I am the president of the Mathematical Sciences Club, which organizes events such as guest speakers, panel discussions and even “mathematical tie dying.” I also lead campus tours and help the offices of admissions and advancement with Open Houses, Scholarship Weekends, Homecoming and other alumni events. I play intramural football, softball and racquetball as well. |
