mathematics | North Central College

Nathan Pierson earns Outstanding Major in Mathematics Award

Nathan Pierson was honored with the 2011 Outstanding Major in Mathematics Award during Honors Day May 17 at North Central College.

Pierson is a graduating senior triple-majoring in mathematics, physics and computer science. He has been awarded the Arthur J. Schmitt Presidential Fellowship, which will enable him to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Notre Dame on a full, paid fellowship. He is a graduate of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora.

North Central’s math program wins grant for high school enrichment program

North Central College’s mathematics department secured Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grant to aid high-achieving high school math students.

North Central College’s department of mathematics recently secured a competitive Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grant (DMEG) from the Mathematical Association of America. The grant will be used to develop E2 (Expository Engagement): North Central Math Circle, an after-school math enrichment program for area high school students.

“It’s really exciting to be able to engage young, math-minded students at North Central,” said Neil Nicholson, North Central College assistant professor of mathematics and project director of E2.

McMahon presents to teachers in high-need schools

Mary McMahon, associate professor of mathematics

Mary McMahon, North Central College associate professor of mathematics, co-presented a talk on mathematical modeling at ACI’s Teacher Induction Academy.

Mary McMahon, North Central College associate professor of mathematics and mathematics education coordinator, presented at the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Teacher Induction Academy at Dominican University April 19.

Murawska receives mathematics education research award

Jaclyn Murawska, adjunct instructor of mathematics

Jaclyn Murawska, North Central College adjunct instructor of mathematics, received an award from Northern Illinois University for her recent research.

Jaclyn Murawska, North Central College adjunct instructor of mathematics, received the Merlyn J. Behr Award in Mathematics Education from Northern Illinois University and its Department of Mathematical Sciences. The award recognizes Murawska’s significant contribution to the field of mathematics education for her dissertation research, “Preservice Elementary School Teachers’ Conceptual Understanding of Place Value Within a Constructivist Framework.”

Nicholson’s presentation emerges as chapter in book

Neil Nicholson, assistant professor of mathematics

Neil Nicholson, North Central College assistant professor of mathematics, was coauthor of a chapter in a book on service learning in higher education.

Neil Nicholson, North Central College assistant professor of mathematics, was a coauthor of a chapter in the book titled “Service-Learning in Higher Education: Connecting the Global to the Local.” The book emerged from presentations at the Fourth International Symposium on Service-Learning held in China in September 2011, where Nicholson co-presented with colleagues from the University of Indiana-Bloomington and William Jewell College.

Register now for North Central's D-Term Verandah experiences

All 11 D-Term Verandah experiences are open to any major. Explore Chicago theatre, new cultures, community action, square dancing, dramatic inquiry and more.

Registration is underway for North Central College’s 2012 D-Term Verandah experiences, taking place both on and off campus.

Murawska leads workshop for middle school teachers

Jackie Murawska, adjunct instructor of mathematics

Jackie Murawska, North Central College adjunct instructor of mathematics, led workshop for middle school teachers at Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago.

Jackie Murawska, North Central College adjunct instructor of mathematics, led a workshop titled “Fractions, Frustration, Ratios, and the Condominium Community Problem” for middle school teachers at the Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago (MMC) Conference of Workshops held in New Lenox, Ill., Jan. 28.

Learn lessons of calculus with humor and music

North Central College hosts “Calculus: the Musical!”—a comic and memorable review of the concepts and history of calculus—on April 3.

“Calculus: The Musical!”—a comic review of the concepts and history of calculus—returns April 3 to North Central College as part of a national tour.

Using musical parodies that span genres from light opera to hip-hop, the show is a blend of sketch comedy, musical theatre and classroom lecture. All this makes the learning of calculus fun and entertaining.

North Central hosts 2012 AMC 10 and 12 math contests

North Central College will host a testing site for the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) 10 and AMC 12 exams Feb. 22 for high school students.

North Central College will host a testing site for the American Mathematics Competitions test 10 and 12 (AMC 10 and AMC 12) on Feb. 22. These contests are the premier high school examinations in mathematics.

Nicholson has article published in mathematics journal

Neil Nicholson, North Central College assistant professor of mathematics, had an article published in the Journal of Knot Theory and Its Ramifications.

Neil R. Nicholson, North Central College assistant professor of mathematics, recently had an article published in the Journal of Knot Theory and Its Ramifications. His article, titled “Piecewise-Linear Virtual Knots,” both investigates how various classical knot theory results carry over to the space of virtual knots and classifies piecewise-linear virtual knots up to edge index six.