Contact Information
Mathematics and Computer Science at NMU
The overarching mission of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is to serve society through education and scholarship within and across each of our disciplines: mathematics, mathematics education, and computer science. Specifically, ourprimary mission is to guide our students in the acquisition and development of a suite of skills necessary for the pursuit of a professional career in or further academic study of mathematics, mathematics education, and computer science. An additional mission of the department is to provide service and liberal studies courses for the broader university community, fostering critical and independent thinking, creative problem solving, and lifelong learning habits in all students. The department is committed to furthering the professional development of mathematics teachers through its master’s degree in mathematics education and to increasing the educational options for all post-graduate students in the mathematical sciences. Finally, in support of our educational efforts, the department fosters an atmosphere of inquiry and innovation through original contributions to each of the department’s academic disciplines and their associated professions.
Computer science is the study of what is possible through computation. It is also the creative exploration of how to achieve these possibilities. Computers are the ultimate machines because they can be reconfigured (programmed) in an infinite number of ways. A computer science degree provides a deep and thorough understanding of modern computers, from their theoretical limitations to the next great leap in their practical application.
The study of mathematics develops the critical and analytical skills needed in medicine, law, business, and industry and supports majors such as physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, economics, sociology, geography, and engineering, among others. It provides an understanding of the contributions of mathematics to philosophy, the arts, science and technology, and provides an exciting intellectual experience.
Programs in secondary or elementary mathematics education prepare teachers for K-12 classrooms.
Successful completion of a computer science, mathematics or mathematics education major prepares students for graduate work in mathematics, mathematics education or computer science and for professions in statistics, applied mathematics, computer science and teaching.
Student Organizations
- Elementary Education Mathematics Club
- Mathematics Club
- Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery
Department/Program Policies
To ensure student success, the department does not allow students to enroll in the same course more than two times. If a student must take a course for the third time, he or she must first take the prerequisite course(s) and obtain a grade of “B-” or better in each.
All non-teaching majors and minors offered by the department require a 2.00 or higher overall grade point average in required courses and a grade of “C” or better in each required course. All students must pass prerequisite courses with a grade of “C-” or higher unless otherwise indicated.
Students majoring in secondary education mathematics or minoring in secondary education mathematics must maintain a grade point average of 2.70 or greater with no grade below a “C” in the professional education sequence, the major and/or minors and required cognates combined.
Mathematics courses with a middle digit of “5” will not count toward the requirements of a non-education major or minor. Students pursuing minors in the department are urged to consult with their advisers in determining an appropriate selection of courses.
Programs
Bulletin Year: 2012 - 2013 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.