Why study Mathematics at MC?
Mathematics is the language of science, technology and engineering and, in a technology-driven society that is generating billions of pieces of data every day, it is also the language of business and communication. Learning about mathematics teaches you to develop logical arguments and solve problems, essential skills for a wide variety of careers. While those who work in jobs requiring mathematical skill earn high salaries and report great job satisfaction, there aren't enough college graduates with those skills to meet the demand.
Mathematicians work in fields from finance and insurance, to business analytics, biotechnology and national security. We analyze market data for large corporations, develop climate models to predict environmental changes, improve internet search engines and social media, design clinical trials with medical researchers, attack cryptographic problems for the National Security Agency, and develop better airline security systems.
At Maryville College, mathematics majors explore topics in pure and applied mathematics, including statistics, computer science and physics. The quantitative abilities they develop are complemented by the liberal arts core, resulting in well-rounded students with a marketable mix of skills. Our majors enjoy small class sizes and close relationships with their professors and are participating in competitive summer research programs at Oak Ridge National Lab and around the country. If you enjoy mathematics and are excited about the wide range of career opportunities for people with these skills, we'd love to have you join us!
Maryville College Works is a comprehensive career preparation program that is integrated into the College’s four-year liberal arts curriculum. Key components include assessment, advising, networking and professional experiences.
External Relationships
ORAU
United Way of Blount County
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
University of Tennessee College of Engineering
Auburn University College of Engineering
Tennessee Technological University College of Engineering
Vanderbilt University School of Engineering
Meet a recent student
Nicasio Velez ’18
Hometown: Parkersburg, W. Va.
With the help of his advisor, Nico, who started his college career studying physics, found a deep interest in math. He spent the summer of 2017 at Seattle University in a National Science Foundation grant-funded research experience for undergraduates (REU). He and four other students studied conic sections and triangle centers in taxicab geometry. “My classroom experience, combined with all of the independent and group projects that I have completed over my years at Maryville College, made me realize I want to attend graduate school to hopefully become a professor at a research institution,” he said.
Outcomes of Recent Grads
Featured Graduate
Travis Sellers ’14
Currently: Targeting Data Analyst at 84.51 in Cincinnati, Ohio
After MC, Travis went on to earn a master’s degree in statistics at Miami University in Ohio. He is now working with big data to access portions of data that are relevant to the research conducted at 84.51, which serves Kroger and the consumer packaged goods companies that sell their products at Kroger. “The math and statistics courses at MC helped me understand all of the data science I use here at 84.51 and how to effectively communicate my results with clients in a way that they can understand,” he said. “All of the departments at MC helped me become a strong public speaker. I didn’t realize how important that was until I started doing it every day at my job.”
Kyle Prince ’09
Currently: Math Teacher in Rutherford County Schools; working on a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at MTSU
Kyle’s Senior Study analyzed the rankings system used by the NFL, and he continues to apply math to real-world questions in his algebra classes at Central Magnet High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The recipient of several “Teacher of the Year” awards, Kyle also serves on the governor’s 18-member Teacher Cabinet. “Even though my research interests have changed to mathematics education, the expertise Maryville College provided me with has led to multiple publications, national and international presentations, and hopefully, a successful doctoral dissertation,” he said. “Maryville College developed the foundation on which my dreams are currently being built.”
Graduate School Placements
Clemson University
Florida State University
Georgia Tech
LMU DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Miami (of Ohio) University
North Carolina State University
University of Nebraska
University of North Carolina
University of Tennessee
