Math and Computer Science
Students will find strong programs in mathematics, computer science and mobile and web app development as well as mathematics education at NMU. 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, you’ll have the opportunity to dig into research projects and experience emerging technologies in our specialty labs. Work with robots and the latest mathematics modeling tools and programming platforms, perhaps creating video games or new forms of life through artificial intelligence. Travel and even present your work at such events as the Argonne National Symposium in Chicago and at MCTM and NCTM Conferences across the country. In and out of the classroom, you’ll work side-by-side with your professors and peers, applying concepts to real-world situations and vice-versa.
Career Excellence
Actuary, mathematician, and software engineers rank in the top ten of the best jobs of 2015 according to the JobsRated.com report. Computer Systems Analyst and Network Computer Systems Administrator also made the list.
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.