Mathematics Major

Our dynamic curriculum at Merrimack College will expose you to a variety of theoretical and applied topics in mathematics and will enhance your problem-solving abilities. It will arm you with the skills and concepts you need to recognize and understand patterns in the world around you and apply that understanding in a wide range of professions.

As a mathematics major, you’ll also improve your ability to think critically and reason logically — skills anyone needs to become a responsible, informed citizen.

Hands-On Learning

You will have the opportunity to work alongside faculty on senior honors projects or undergraduate research, in areas including complex analysis, knot theory, sports statistics, recreational mathematics and math education.

Recent projects include:

• “Visualization in Complex Analysis”
• “Does Having Home-Field/Home Court Advantage Make You a Winner?”
• “Conditions for Obtaining Nontrivial Knots from Collections of Vectors”

Read: Students and Faculty Construct a Revenue Model for Watts Water Technologies

You may also gain valuable experience by working at the Tutoring and Math Center or serving as mathematics fellows supporting instruction in our introductory courses for nonmajors.

Career Options

As a mathematics major, you’ll be well equipped to pursue advanced studies in the field or to begin a career in industry, science or education. Recent graduates’ positions include:

• Analyst, Electric Insurance
• Analyst, Product Management at Liberty Mutual Insurance
• Marketing analyst, Sovos Compliance
• Cost estimator, Hanscom Air Force Base
• High school math teacher, North Andover High School
• Middle school math teacher, Garfield Middle School
• Funding coordinator, Forward Financing, Peabody

What You’ll Take

All mathematics majors take a combination of these required and elective courses to satisfy the 48-credit course requirement in the major. The bachelor of arts in mathematics requires 124 credits overall. 

Required Courses

MTH 1314	Discrete Mathematics
MTH 1217	Calculus I
MTH 1218	Calculus II
MTH 2219	Calculus III
MTH 2220	Differential Equations
MTH 3335	Linear Algebra
MTH 4336	Abstract Algebra
MTH 4343	Real Analysis
CSC 1610 OR CSC 1611	Problem Solving with Programming OR Problem Solving with Python

Elective Courses

Add enough additional credits of mathematics electives (2000 level or higher) to reach a total of 48 credits in the major. 

MTH 2423	Topics in Geometry
MTH 2527	Probability and Statistics I
MTH 2528	Probability and Statistics II
MTH 2644	Combinatorics
MTH 2650	Knot Theory
MTH 3400W	Readings in Mathematics
MTH 3623	Topics in Combinatorial Geometry
MTH 3701	Modeling and Simulation
MTH 3725	Numerical Analysis
MTH 4600	Topics in Mathematics
MTH 4645	Complex Analysis
MTH 4800	Directed Study
MTH 4850	Directed Research

Note: We strongly urge you to take additional mathematics electives and two semesters of a natural science. In order to graduate, in your senior year you will be required to take the Mathematics Major Field Test, administered by the Educational Testing Service.