Mathematics

Why choose mathematics at North Central College?

You’ll receive all the help, advice and personal attention you need, thanks to our accessible professors and small classes. North Central’s math faculty members are committed to involving you in their research projects, so you’ll also get valuable firsthand experiences. Our pure mathematics major is renowned for preparing high school and middle school math teachers and for maintaining an extensive network of school contacts that can lead to valuable practicums, student-teaching opportunities and career placements. Other math majors go on to graduate school to prepare for a career in higher education, teaching and research.

You can also:

Collaborate with your professors on research projects that explore topics like knot theory or mathematical modeling of disease transmission.
Attend local, regional and national academic conferences.
Participate in campus activities like Math Club and the Pi Day Celebration with alumni.
Enroll in a problem-solving seminar that prepares you for competitions like the Putnam Exam.
Obtain extra help from a peer tutor—or become one yourself.
Join the mathematics honor society Pi Mu Epsilon.

To learn more about experiences and opportunities here at North Central College as a mathematics major, click here.

Google spotlights recent North Central College graduate in video about internships

Kitt Vanderwater, a Google employee and 2012 graduate of North Central College, is featured in a Google video about its internship opportunities.

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.

Mary McMahon, associate professor of mathematics

McMahon presents to teachers in high-need schools

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

more news

Internships

Intern, Reinhart & Associates, Naperville
Mathematics in business intern, All Information Services, Countryside, IL
Program intern, Navistar Inc., Downers Grove, IL
Software tester, BondWave LLC, Wheaton, IL
Billing management intern, AMC Accounting Solutions, Naperville

Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in mathematics have been accepted at:

University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Purdue University
University of Notre Dame
University of Illinois-Chicago
University of Texas-Arlington

Careers

Math majors frequently find teaching positions in districts within a 30-mile radius of North Central, like:

Aurora school districts
Chicago Public Schools
East Aurora School District 131
Naperville School District 203
Indian Prairie School District 204
Plainfield School District 202

Recent graduates in mathematics also include:

Algorithm analyst
Software engineer
Computer scientist
Financial consultant
Commercial loan officer

Maria Gommel

Mathematics and Actuarial Science double major

Maria discovered North Central College while searching online for actuarial science programs. But once she started classes, she found a new passion in pure mathematics. “As I took more math-based classes, I realized I liked them more than actuarial science and added a major in math.”

She quickly delved into opportunities in mathematics. In the summer following her sophomore year, she collaborated with a mathematics professor in research that used mathematical models to investigate the behavior of the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.

Her junior year, she was honored as a Goldwater Scholar, the highest national undergraduate award for achievement in mathematics, science and engineering....

Christina Lorenzo

Mathematics major

Christina found that studying in Moscow for a semester presented some interesting challenges—both inside and outside the classroom. Her 15 weeks at the prestigious Mathematics in Moscow program at the Independent University of Moscow tested her abilities. The graduate-level courses were taught in English, but covered some tough lessons. “It was very difficult but worth it because they pushed us to a new level.”

As a Lederman Scholar, Christina enrolled at North Central during her years at Neuqua Valley High School for additional math classes and to accumulate college credits. Once on campus, she worked closely with professors...

Sarah Bikukcius

Mathematics major

As an aspiring educator, Sarah Bikulcius finds that North Central is preparing her well to become a mathematics teacher at a high school or middle school.

“At North Central, you make connections,” she says. “The professors here know people and are really good at networking. My advisor knows everyone, which gets my name out there.”

Sarah gained experience student teaching at nearby Waubonsie Valley High School, where she met North Central alumni working as teachers. Sarah says her North Central education sharpened all her skills—not just mathematics and education, but communications as well.

“I’ve learned English is important because as a teacher I will have to write a lot of things, like...

Previous Pause Next

1 of 1