Mathematics at Franklin College

pumpkin with math formula carved in it; two students solving math equation on chalkboard
At Franklin College, carefully chosen co-curricular experiences are deliberately integrated with coursework to provide students with high-impact opportunities for learning.

As a mathematics major, you will have the chance to interact with alumni and guest speakers, learn about how mathematics is used in the workplace through on-site visits at local employers, travel to regional and national conferences, and analyze data sets for local non-profit agencies.

A degree in mathematics from Franklin College will prepare you for some of the best jobs in the world. Five of the top ten jobs in the 2019 Jobs Rated Report by CareerCast and four of the top ten jobs on US News and World Report’s most recent list of Best Jobs in Business were all related to the field of mathematics. A mathematics degree from Franklin College can not only help prepare you for one of these desirable careers, but it can also make you stand out in professional programs, including law school and medical school. Today’s employers are looking for employees with a demonstrated capacity to think critically and solve complex problems, and a mathematics degree from Franklin College will help you develop these skills and more.

Download the Mathematics Major Handout (PDF)

Departmental Highlights

Why do students choose mathematics at Franklin College?

Majors to Match Your Interests: With four distinct majors in mathematics (pure mathematics, applied mathematics, actuarial science, and quantitative analysis), the department can meet the educational needs of individual students with a wide range of goals and interests.

  • Pure Mathematics provides a broad mathematics background and offers a great deal of flexibility for students to follow their own interests. While excellent preparation for teaching or graduate school, students can combine this major with other disciplines (e.g., biology or the social sciences) as preparation for positions in data analysis, strategic planning, and problem solving.
  • Applied Mathematics is designed for students who want to focus on the relationship of mathematics to allied disciplines such as computer science, physics, and chemistry, and is particularly appropriate for students interested in careers in business and industry.
  • Actuarial Science provides students with the mathematics, statistics, and business skills needed to be able to assess and manage risk, especially in a financial setting. Actuarial science majors will receive specific preparation for the first two preliminary actuarial exams (Exam 1/P Probability and Exam 2/FM Financial Mathematics) and will take a variety of courses in areas specifically encouraged by the SOA (Society of Actuaries) and CAS (Casualty Actuarial Society).
  • Quantitative Analysis is designed for students interested in exploring the broad relationships between mathematics and either marketing, finance, or economics. It prepares students for graduate school in any of these areas or for work in any quantitatively-oriented position in business.

Engaging and Innovative Programs:

  • Focus on Active Learning: Students work individually and in teams to discover mathematical concepts and address real-world problems in their courses. In addition, technology is strategically incorporated into the curriculum to give students additional hands-on opportunities. Internships, research experiences, and other co-curricular activities provide opportunities for engaged learning beyond the classroom.
  • Unique Courses: Courses pioneered in our department have been adopted by other mathematics departments statewide and nationally. Two of these innovative courses (a first year activity course that provides students with a glimpse into the exciting world of mathematics beyond calculus and a senior level statistical consulting course) bookend the experience of Franklin College mathematics majors.
  • Agile Design: As part of a small college, we are able to quickly implement changes in our curriculum when we identify new student needs. For example, after a recent survey of employers revealed a growing need for skills related to the management and analysis of big data, the department of mathematics and computing quickly created a new course, Big Data in the Professional Workplace, in which students tackle big data’s nuanced challenges by analyzing a data set provided by an alumni coach working in industry. We adapt quickly, better preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s careers.

Nationally Recognized: The Franklin College Department of Mathematics and Computing has achieved regional and national recognition for its innovative programs.

  • The Franklin College mathematics program was selected as the winner of the 2019 American Mathematical Society’s Award for an Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department based on the comprehensive, intentional, integrated, and engaging learning experience we have designed for our students.
  • In 2016 and again in 2017 and 2019, the Franklin College mathematics faculty were selected to present a four-hour mini-course at the Mathematical Association of America’s national meeting. This mini-course, “Creating a Purposeful Student Learning Experience,” was based on our distinctive student-centered mathematics program and was attended by faculty from institutions across the US, including the US Naval Academy and University of Alaska – Anchorage.
  • The department has also been named one of the Top 101 Success Stories in the integration of computer technology into the classroom by EDUCAUSE, a national educational computing organization.
  • Tim Fish

    As a math major from Franklin College, two invaluable experiences have served me well in my teaching career: classroom experience from sophomore year onward and math courses from respected faculty where the lessons learned gave me the confidence to learn on my own outside the classroom. In year 6 of my job, I was asked to start a BC Calc course…Five years later, my students have passed [the AP exam] with a 3 or better 96% of the time and we’ve had 100% for three years running. As for teaching math, I knew I was in the right field from the classroom experiences and loving the challenge (and job security!) mathematics is able to provide. Though you don’t have to be a mathematician to teach, you better learn to think like one. - Tim Fish, 2015-2016 NMSI Indiana Math Teacher of the Year '07

  • Monica Collins

    Franklin’s Math and Computing Department has not just helped me become better in math, but has helped me develop into a person suited for my career by giving me the opportunities to do undergraduate research and attend conferences like MathFest. - Monica Collins '19

Meet Our Faculty


Did You Know?

Mathematics majors have one of the highest medical school acceptance rates of all undergraduate majors, and the average LSAT score for mathematics majors is among the highest of all students planning to attend law school.