Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the mathematics major or mathematics major with a concentration in statistics, a student will have demonstrated a broad mastery of the fundamentals of mathematics, planned and executed a sustained research project, and clearly communicated their understanding/findings both in written and oral presentation. The student will be able to:
- Make arguments and solve problems in topics from one-variable calculus; the real and complex number systems and beginning analysis; combinatorics, probability, and number theory; linear algebra; and vector calculus.
- Execute a sustained research project:
- Choose and define a significant topic of inquiry from the major field.
- Independently execute a significant research project under the mentorship of an adviser.
- Identify, analyze, critique, and evaluate existing scholarship.
- Develop new research or systematize or explain existing research.
- Clearly communicate work done:
- Write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and in the style and format appropriate to the field.
- Present, discuss, and defend their work orally to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
The primary assessment tool for learning in the major at Reed and the level of student achievement in these areas, is the senior thesis; in addition, the junior qualifying examination offers a secondary assessment tool for student learning in the major.
For more information on the thesis and junior qualifying examination, see Requirements for the Major. Beyond these learning outcomes, mathematics majors must make arguments, solve problems, and carry out term projects in topics from real analysis, abstract algebra, and other advanced courses such as probability and statistics, geometry, and topology; mathematics majors with concentration in statistics must solve problems, analyze data, and carry out statistical investigations in topics from real analysis, probability, mathematical statistics, and a data analysis course, along with other advanced courses such as statistics practicum and stochastic processes.
Math-Computer Science Interdisciplinary Major
Upon completion of the mathematics-computer science interdisciplinary major, a student will have demonstrated a broad mastery of the fundamentals of mathematics and computer science, planned and executed a sustained research project, and clearly communicated their understanding/findings both in written and oral presentation. The student will be able to:
- Make arguments and solve problems in topics from one-variable calculus; the real and complex number systems and beginning analysis; combinatorics, probability, and number theory; linear algebra; and vector calculus.
- Understand the fundamental concepts of computer science, including: abstraction; elementary algorithms and data structures; boolean logic and its digital representations; and computer organization.
- Program in multiple languages and understand the basic concepts of code organization and documentation.
- Execute a sustained research project:
- Choose and define a significant topic of inquiry from the major field.
- Independently execute a significant research project under the mentorship of an adviser.
- Identify, analyze, critique, and evaluate existing scholarship.
- Develop new research or systematize or explain existing research.
- Clearly communicate work done:
- Write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and in the style and format appropriate to the field.
- Present, discuss, and defend their work orally to scientific and non-scientific audiences.