Who to Contact

  1. For questions about the math program, email Dr. Ashwin Vaidya at vaidyaa@montclair.edu.
  2. For questions about credit transfer from another institution or class permits, email Dr. Mark Korlie at  korliem@montclair.edu
  3. For general inquiries, email Mr. Rick McCollough at mccolloughf@montclair.edu.
  4. For questions about the math placement test, email Ms. Eugenia Providence at  providencee@montclair.edu

We understand the urgency of your needs and will try to respond to you at the earliest possible.

doctoral students with Henry Pollock

Mathematics Department Mission

The Department of Mathematics is committed to supporting all learners form a deeper appreciation for the power, role, relevance and beauty of mathematics within a dynamic, collaborative and personalized environment. Our undergraduate and graduate programs encourage students to think critically and creatively as they pursue purposeful questions from multiple perspectives. We embrace and advance connections among the sciences, arts, humanities and business through mathematics. Students are supported as they become more informed citizens, prepared for graduate studies, teaching and a variety of careers that meet their aspirations and the needs of an ever-changing society.

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Student Information

Creating a mathematician’s mentality through an array of courses, a department advisor helping you stay on track as you progress, and the Mathematics Support Center when you need some extra help.

Events

News

department visit to the Mo Math exhibit in NYCWe visit NYC to see the Mo Math Exhibit Check out a slideshow of our trip

More News

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Why Study Mathematics

To live in a mathematically-driven world and not understand mathematics is like walking through an art museum with your eyes closed. Learning and appreciating mathematics can help us appreciate things that we might not otherwise notice about the world.

Studying mathematics helps us think analytically and have better reasoning abilities.  Analytical thinking refers to the ability to think critically about the world around us. Reasoning is our ability to think logically about a situation. Analytical and reasoning skills are important because they help us solve problems and look for solutions.

Such problem-solving is more applicable to our lives than one might think. Studying mathematics is not just about solving textbook tasks; it is about sharpening one’s skills to frame problems that exist in real life, identifying the knowns and unknowns, refining one’s strategies, and making progress toward a solution. It is through this process that we can begin to make sense about the world in which we live.

Research

Faculty in the Mathematics Department are involved in a broad range of research in the areas of pure mathematics and math education. Research opportunities are available for graduates and undergraduates.

Learn About Research in the Mathematics Department

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Career Opportunities for Math Majors

Career opportunities are unlimited and rewarding for mathematics majors. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2018 and 2028, the job market for mathematicians is expected to grow by an impressive 30 percent! Students that earn math degrees secure some of the highest-paying jobs. The same bureau reports that in 2018 the median annual wage for mathematicians was $101,900.

Careers in mathematics are diverse. Thanks to the growing importance placed on technology, big data, and STEM education, mathematicians and math educators are in demand across all kinds of industries. Study math or math education and you’ll have access to career opportunities you may have never even imagined, such as:

group in front of snow pyramid
In front of the “snow pyramid,” our name for Denes’ art

Success in Mathematics

Famous People that Majored in Math

Steve Balmer – Former CEO of Microsoft and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Steve Ballmer was once a serious math nerd. In 1977, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics. He reportedly received a perfect score of 800 in the mathematical section of the SATs.

Sergey Brin – Sergey Brin is the co-founder of Google and the president of its parent company, Alphabet. Brin double majored in mathematics and computer science at the University of Maryland at College Park. The name “Google” is inspired by the mathematical term “googol,” which means ten raised to the power of a hundred.

Reed Hastings – The Netflix CEO studied mathematics at Bowdoin College. After graduating, he joined the Peace Corps and taught high school mathematics in Swaziland.

Katherine Johnson – Recently portrayed on the big screen, Katherine Johnson was the main character of the critically-acclaimed film Hidden Figures. Her contributions in NASA were critical to the United States’ success in putting astronaut John Glenn into orbit in 1962. During her 35-year career, she held a reputation for being a master of complex manual calculations. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.

Mae Carol Jemison – As a mathematician and astronaut, Mae Carol Jemison became the first African American woman to visit space when she went into orbit aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. She is involved in several initiatives such as “Science Matters” which aims to encourage young children to understand and pursue careers in STEM.

Learn more about mathematician CEOs and their endeavors and famous African American mathematicians

MEET a Mathematician

MEET a Mathematician

MEET a Mathematician!” is a collection of video interviews with mathematicians from all over the world. The mission of this service is to introduce students from underrepresented groups to role models in the mathematics field. Visit the Meet a Mathematician website to access the video series of interviews.

math related book covers

Favorite Books of the Mathematics Department

The Mathematics Department faculty made a list of their all-time favorite math books (non-textbooks). Visit the Favorite Books of the Mathematics Department to see our picks!

Connect With Us

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Contact the Mathematics Department
Location:
Center for Computing and Information Science room 425N
Phone:
973-655-4263

Department Administrators



Name Title Location Phone Email
Ashwin Vaidya Chairperson Center for Computing and Information Science, 425N 973-655-2139 vaidyaa@montclair.edu
Rick McCollough Secretarial Assistant I/Non-Steno Center for Computing and Information Science, 425N 973-655-4263 mccolloughf@montclair.edu