Math and Computer Science
Students will find strong programs in mathematics, computer science, data science, mobile and web app development as well as mathematics education at Northern. The department also provides a solid background for students wanting to pursue careers in actuarial sciences, medicine, dentistry, health professions, architecture, electronic engineering and business.
Experience Learning
At Northern, through the Math and Computer Science programs and courses, students can expect to learn by doing. From data science to data structures, mathematics and education courses, students develop the necessary skills needed to solve problems in the modern world. The student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1 provides students with the advantage of working closely with professors and peers both in and out of the classroom. Through our dedicated faculty, students experience proving a mathematical theorem, learn how software and hardware interact, or create elegant visualizations from messy datasets. Students have the opportunity to learn the basics of number theory and apply it to cryptography, travel to conferences to share their work, and even publish research in professional peer-reviewed journals. The world is changing rapidly, training in mathematics, computer science, and data science equips our students with the foundational skills to take on a myriad of challenges.
Career Excellence
Several majors we offer directly lead to top growth careers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics including, Actuary, Computer Scientist, and Data Scientist. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm
Degrees Offered
What you'll do at NMU
As an NMU student, your opportunities to get involved on campus and in the community are boundless. Compete against students from major universities throughout the world in the ACM North Central North American Regional Programming Contest. Or join the Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery and help plan and host the NMU Invitational Programming Contest, involving as many as 24 teams. Join the Math Club and help plan and host the annual U.P. High School Math Challenge. Serve as a math mentor. Spend Friday nights with fellow UNIX aficionados. Or get a foot in the door with a major computer company such as Intel as an intern. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll have the personal attention and support of talented, caring teachers every step of the way.
Mission Statement
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, our primary 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.
Program Mission Statement
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 or computer science and for professions in statistics, applied mathematics, computer science and teaching.