Mathematics

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Mathematics is one of Alvernia's highest paying and most sought after majors. Furthermore, math majors consistently score high on entrance exams for medical school and law school. Majoring in math will teach students critical thinking, and quantitative and analytical skills that are in high demand by employers.

Alvernia's class sizes are capped at 24 for lower-level courses and are typically much lower in upper-level courses. Though content-heavy, the major is credit-light. Students have the flexibility to pick up a minor or even a second major. Computer science and physics courses mesh particularly well with a math major. Prior math majors have double-majored in more distant subjects such as accounting and chemistry.

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Biology Medical Laboratory Science program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

Reading

General Notes

A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Mathematics majors must complete 53-56 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (SRH 101 or HNR 160)
COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher
THE 105 Foundations of Theology
PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
- Lab Science (Met in related area)
- Math (Met in major)
Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
- History or Political Science
- PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON
Culture & Language (9 credits)
- Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
- World Language – 2 courses in sequence
Creative Expressions (6 credits)
- Literature (ENG)
- Art, Music, or Theatre

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level)
Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level)

Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines.

Curriculum: Major Requirements

Required Courses (30-33 credits)

MAT 204: Intro to Mathematical Logic
MAT 209: Probability & Statistics (pre-requisite: Satisfactory score on the Mathematics Placement test)
MAT 230: Calculus I (pre-requisite: MAT 131 or satisfactory score on Math Placement test)
MAT 231: Calculus II (pre-requisite: MAT 230)
MAT 232: Calculus III (pre-requisite: MAT 231)
MAT 240: Linear Algebra (pre-requisite: MAT 231)
MAT 401: Real Analysis (pre-requisites: MAT 232, MAT 204)
MAT 415: Mathematics Seminar (pre-requisite: Junior or senior standing)
MAT 420: Abstract Algebra (pre-requisite: MAT 204)

Required Math Electives

Students must choose 4 MAT classes from the 300 level or above (excluding MAT 345) including SCI 305: Research in BIO/CHE/MAT.

Related Requirements (11 credits)

CS 155: Intro to Object-Oriented Programming
PHY 200: Physics I (pre-requisite: MAT 230)
PHY 201: Physics II (pre-requisite: PHY 200)

Recommended: (3 credits)

MAT 131: Pre-Calculus (pre-requisite: Two years of high school algebra and satisfactory score on the Mathematics Placement test)

Experiential Learning Opportunities

All majors have the opportunity to present work done in their senior seminar at the annual HECBC conference.
At least one math major has been awarded a SURF grant every summer since 2018.
Some exceptional undergraduates have published papers in peer-reviewed journals with math professors.
Students in the Honors Program can base their honors thesis on research conducted with our faculty.

Accreditation Statements

Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

Mathematician
Statistician
College Math Professor
Actuary
Market Research Analyst
Economist
Aerospace Engineer
Financial Analyst

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for mathematicians and statisticians are expected to grow 30 percent between 2022 and 2032, much faster than average for all occupations. The median salary for the industry is $99,960.

Opportunities for Majors

Science Association

The object of this club is to afford an opportunity for the students of science to become better acquainted, to secure the intellectual stimulation that arises from professional association, to obtain experiences in preparing and presenting technical material before chemical audiences, to foster a professional spirit among the members, to instill a professional pride in the sciences, and to build an awareness of the responsibilities and challenges facing the modern scientist. Membership of this association is open to students pursuing their study in the area of science and related fields. Contact Rosemarie Chinni (610-568-1492, rosemarie.chinni@alvernia.edu) or Kevin Burns (kevin.burns@alvernia.edu, 610-790-2865) for more information.

Beta Kappa Chi

Beta Kappa Chi is the National Science Honor Society composed of chapters which seek to encourage and advance scientific education through original education, the dissemination of scientific knowledge and the stimulation of high scholarship in pure and applied science.

Epsilon Gamma Chapter of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society

This is a National Scholastic Honor Society for students, faculty, and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition.

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Mathematics program, contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Mathematics and Technology Department Chair Matt Prudente at 610-796-8257 or matthew.prudente@alvernia.edu.