Your experience begins with the foundation of the department—our professors—who care about your success. They’re as passionate about mentoring as they are teaching. Because class sizes are small, professors will know you by name and can work with you one-on-one. And with a wide variety of department activities (think pre-finals potluck with faculty), you’ll have plenty of chances to get to know them beyond the classroom, too.
Our students are actively involved in their learning and have done everything from building math models of zebrafish brains to creating two supercomputers to designing and running activities for K-12 students at the annual local Math Fair.
Students also have a chance to reinforce what they’ve learned (and have fun doing it!) through various activities and competitions. For the national math modeling contest, for example, students spend a weekend together working on a problem that addresses broad issues (such as sustainable energy or political stability). And every year, all math students are invited to participate in the State of Jefferson Mathematics Congress. This weekend camping trip brings mathematics students and faculty together from HSU and other universities in the region to share math, meals, and a campfire.
What can you do with a Mathematics degree?
It’s a question students often ask, which is why we’ve made career advising a cornerstone of our program and encourage them to start thinking about their future. Through advising, activities, and courses, we help students understand the versatility of a math degree and explore vast career options.
We focus on the job search process, as well. One course covers resume writing and includes a mock interview. It also connects every student with an alumni mentor. Other alumni visit HSU to talk about what they do now and how they use math in their careers.
In the end, students leave our program with more than a degree. They’re equipped to think critically and analytically, making them competitive in the workforce and prepared to pursue a higher degree.
Mathematics
1 Harpst St.
Arcata, CA 95521
Phone: (707) 826-3143
math@humboldt.edu
