Department of Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics at Missouri Southern State University offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in three different areas: mathematics, mathematics education, and computational mathematics, which is a double major with Computer Science. These programs are designed to provide students with a solid scientific and technical foundation, and to allow them to select among diverse areas of specialization. These programs prepare the students well to compete successfully in the job market and to undertake graduate studies in mathematics, mathematics education, or computer science.

The faculty have degrees from a wide range of distinguished graduate schools and are committed to quality teaching, careful student advisement, promotion of student development, and consideration of each student as an individual. Our faculty retain membership in organizations such as the American Mathematical Society (AMS), the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Academic excellence is achieved through a close working relationship between faculty and students in an atmosphere of work in the form of lectures, discussion sessions, and seminars. Mathematics majors at Southern are an integral part of the department. Many grade papers for our courses, and several tutor in the MSSU Learning Center.

The department sponsors two organizations for students. Most departmental majors belong to the Math Club and many are invited to join the local chapter to the national undergraduate honor society, Kappa Mu Epsilon. The primary purpose of Kappa Mu Epsilon is to encourage and recognize outstanding achievement in mathematics. Many activities, social, service and academic, are shared by the two groups. Members often hear presentations by former students who are currently in graduate school or in the work place and field trips are sometimes taken to see mathematicians at work. Regional and National Conventions of Kappa Mu Epsilon provide an opportunity to present papers on various mathematical topics and research and to hear papers presented by students from chapters at other schools.

Mathematics majors have an opportunity each Fall to compete in the Putnam Exam, a prestigious national mathematics test for undergraduates. In addition, each Spring MSSU competes in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling, which offers students a challenge to compete against national and international teams of undergraduates using applied mathematics to solve real-world problems.

Career opportunities exist in a diversity of fields such as engineering, statistics, operations research, management, and education. Missouri Southern graduates are enjoying success in all of these areas.

The Department of Mathematics is located on the second floor of Reynolds Hall.
Send questions or comments to Mathematics Department