Discover the Opportunities with Math, Computer Science and Statistics
Take your passion for mathematics, computer science, or statistics and unlock a multitude of exciting opportunities that will shape your academic and professional journey. By taking advantage of these resources and opportunities, you can enrich your academic path, gain practical skills, and explore different aspects of mathematics, computer science, and statistics. Whether through clubs, competitions, study-away programs, internships, or research, you have the chance to shape your future and pave the way for a rewarding and fulfilling career.
Student Clubs and Connections
Students in the MCS Department build strong connections outside of class. The Math Club is an active organization that plans regular social events, fostering a sense of community among math enthusiasts. Additionally, when there is sufficient interest, clubs dedicated to actuarial science and coding are activated.
Each year, teams of students from the MCS Department have the chance to participate in regional math, computer science, and statistics competitions. These competitions allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in a competitive setting, showcasing their abilities and problem-solving prowess. Participating in these competitions enhances students' learning experiences and provides opportunities for networking and recognition within the academic community.
Study Away
The MCS Department encourages you to pursue study-away opportunities. Common destinations for these programs include the Budapest Semester in Mathematics, and less specialized programs at locations in England, Spain, Italy, and Australia. The faculty members in the Department and the Center for International and Cultural Education work closely with you to help select a program and courses that align with your major or minor requirements. Studying away can broaden your horizons, expose you to different cultural perspectives, and deepen your understanding of mathematics, computer science, or statistics in an international context.
Internships
Internships offer valuable real-world experience and allow students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and potential career paths. Particularly for statistics and computer science students, it is common to pursue summer internships. The Career Development Office provides resources and support to help students identify internship opportunities that align with their interests and career goals. These internships can provide practical skills, networking opportunities, and a deeper understanding of how mathematics, computer science, and statistics are applied in various industries.
Research
is another exciting opportunity within the MCS Department and summer scholarship opportunities off campus. You may collaborate with faculty members on summer research projects, conducting in-depth investigations into specific topics within mathematics, computer science, or statistics. Research experiences may culminate in presenting findings to the Department, attending conferences, or even publishing research papers. These experiences allow you to develop critical research skills, expand your knowledge base, and contribute to the advancement of your chosen field.
Resources
Students
- Major Declaration Form
- Course Substitution Procedure
- Minnesota State Standards for the Mathematics Education Major
- Study Abroad Programs
Mathematics
Computer Science
Statistics
Actuarial Science
Graduate School Information
Resources to help you answer questions about going to graduate school. The two most important things you should know are that you need to start thinking about graduate school during your junior year and that your academic advisor is your best source of information and advice.
- Talk to your MCS academic advisor.
- Talk to a professor who knows a lot about your work and your abilities.
- Get a taste for doing research by participating in an internship or undergraduate research program.
- Summer programs:
- Â鶹ÊÓƵ First Year Research Experience For first year Â鶹ÊÓƵ students.
- Presidential Faculty-Student Collaboration Grants Open to all Â鶹ÊÓƵ students
- George Washington University For third and fourth year students
- Summer Institute for Mathematical Sciences at Berkeley
- Do some research with one of the professors at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
- Talk to your advisor.
- Attend the fall seminar on going to graduate school.
- Look in the department library for information that graduate schools send us.
- Check with the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Career Center
- What are the good schools in my area?
- Check the Gourman Report, available at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Career Center
- Ask your advisor
- (Duke University)
- (Carnegie Mellon)
- Start early (spring of your junior year).
- Attend the seminar given every fall, early in September, that will give you most of the information you need.
- Take the
- Financial aid
- Ask your advisor for suggestions, or
- Sign up for the Career Mentoring Program through the Center for Career Development.
Calculus Placement Exam
The calculus placement exam is an on-line exam that will help determine the best calculus course for you.
Note that you will NOT be allowed to register for Calculus I (MCS-121) unless you have taken a placement exam!
- Please take this exam by early June for New Student Registration, or for current students, at least one week in advance of speaking with an advisor.
- If you encounter technical problems or have questions, you may send an email to a math professor at calculus-placement [at] gustavus.edu (calculus-placement[at]gustavus[dot]edu)
- If you need accommodations for this exam please contact the Accessibility Resources Coordinator.
- Before you begin the exam you will be asked a series of questions to determine the placement exam that best fits your situation.
- When you finish the test, there will be a final screen that describes your recommended placement in a calculus course. You will also receive an email with the recommendation. This will have a return email titled "Â鶹ÊÓƵ Math Placement" with an email address of calculus-placement [at] gustavus.edu which may be sent to spam by your mail program, so be sure to check for this email. Once you finish the test, the system will block you from re-entry, so make sure to check all of your answers before you submit the test.