Mathematics

Honors in Mathematics

Students must complete ten courses plus the capstone and second major or minor as follows:

Required:

  • Math 151 Calculus I
  • Math 152 Calculus II
  • Math 251 Calculus III
  • Math 255 Linear Algebra
  • Math 265 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics
  • CmSc 150 Fundamentals of Computing I

Capstone:

  • Math 385 Senior Research Seminar AND Math 398 Honors Research

Second Major or Minor in mathematics-related discipline

Electives: Four additional 4-credit 300-level mathematics courses from the following list:

  • Math 310 Mathematical Modeling
  • Math 315 Graph Theory
  • Math 325 Topology
  • Math 331 Real Analysis
  • Math 335 Probability and Statistics I
  • Math 336 Probability and Statistics II
  • Math 345 Differential Equations
  • Math 350 Abstract Algebra
  • Math 360 Complex Variables
  • Math 375 Geometry
  • Math 390 Special Topics in Mathematics
  • CmSc 365 Theory of Computation

To receive a designation of Honors in Mathematics at graduation, a student must demonstrate outstanding work in mathematics and complete the following requirements:

1. GPA and grade requirements:

a) Simpson GPA of 3.5 or higher at graduation.

b) A- or higher in at least 5 of the 200-level requirements and 300-level electives in the mathematics major.

c) A in Mathematics 385.

d) A in Mathematics 398.

2. Complete 3 semesters of work at Simpson after approval of the application for the Honors in Mathematics Major. A student would typically apply for the Honors major in the fall of the junior year.

3 Write and defend a thesis.

4 Demonstrate participation in a variety of mathematics-related extracurricular activities while studying mathematics at Simpson College.

Students who are interested in pursuing the honors designation must submit an application with the chair of the mathematics department. A minimum of four extracurricular activities is required prior to applying for the major; choices include, but are not limited to, a related internship, summer research experience, the Mathematics Contest in Modeling, presentation of a paper at a state or regional conference, and the Putnam Competition. It is understood that only the most outstanding students may receive a designation of honors in mathematics.

Application for Honors in Mathematics.

 

The following are the required mathematics courses for the Honors Major and the suggested semesters in which to take those courses.  A total of four 300-level mathematics courses are required in addition to Math 385: Senior Research Seminar AND Math 398 Honors Research.  The course CmSc 150: Fundamentals of Computing I is also required for the mathematics major.

A typical 4-year plan appears below. Some students enter Simpson with college or AP credit for Calculus I and/or II and are prepared to start Calculus II or III in the first year.

  Fall Semester Spring Semester

First Year

Math 151: Calculus I

Math 152: Calculus II

Second Year (3 courses total)

One or two of:

Math 251: Calculus III

Math 255: Linear Algebra

Math 265: Introduction to Advanced Mathematics

One or two of:

Math 251: Calculus III

Math 255: Linear Algebra and/or

Math 265: Introduction to Advanced Mathematics

Third Year

Two 300-level mathematics electives

One 300-level mathematics elective

Fourth Year

Math 385: Senior Research Seminar 

One 300-level mathematics elective

Math 398: Honors Research 

Most 300-level courses are offered once every other year.  The usual two-year rotation for those classes appears below.  Note that Math 385: Senior Seminar is offered as needed for all graduating seniors.

Fall Semester in Odd-Numbered Years Spring Semester in Even-Numbered Years

Math 325: Topology

Math 335: Probability and Statistics I

Math 315: Graph Theory

Math 336: Probability and Statistics II

Math 345: Differential Equations
Fall Semester in Even-Numbered Years Spring Semester in Odd-Numbered Years

Math 310: Mathematical Modeling

Math 331: Real Analysis

Math 375: Geometry

Math 345: Differential Equations

Math 350: Abstract Algebra

Math 360: Complex Variables

Past Honors in Mathematics Students

Kendra Frush:  Kendra graduated in the spring of 2009 with majors in Biochemistry and Honors in Mathematics.  Her Honors research project involved using differential equations to model the spread of infectious diseases in human populations.  She became interested in this application after she traveled to Africa for the May Term course, "Global Health: Confronting AIDS in Namibia", and spent the summer of 2008 volunteering at a hospital in Ghana.  Kendra begain medical school in the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in the fall of 2009.

Chelsy Croson:  Chelsy graduated in the spring of 2009.  Her Honors research project involved graph homomorphisms.  Chelsy began her research in graph theory at a Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of North Carolina - Asheville in the summer of 2008 and continued that work with Dr. Czarneski for her research project. 

Tracy Robson:  Tracy graduated in the fall of 2008 and she was chosen as the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics.  Her Honors research project involved studying knot theory and its applications to the study of DNA.  This work lead to her acceptance into the Program for Women and Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University in May 2008.

Jonna Anderson:  Jonna graduated in the spring of 2008.  Her Honors research project involved using Ginni coefficients as a measure of the viability of wealth distribution schemes.

Jean Clipperton:  Jean graduated with majors in Philosophy, Spanish and Honors in Mathematics in the spring of 2007.  She was chosen as the Outstanding Senior Major for each department as won the Jordan Award for the outstanding graduate in Humanities at the spring Honors Convocation.  Her thesis for Honors in Mathematics, "L(d,2,1)-Labeling of Simple Graphs," was published in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Mathematics Journal.  Jean began her research in radio frequency assignments and graph theory at a Research Experience for Undergraduates at Valparaiso Univeristy in the summer of 2006 and continued that work with Dr. Czarneski for her research project.  She competed in the Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling, the Mathematical Contest in Modeling, and the Putnam Competition.   She was an undergraduate assistant leading supplementary instruction sections for Math 110 - Intermediate Algebra and working in the Hawley Academic Resource Center.  Jean served as the president of the Math Club and as a research undergraduate assistant working with Drs. Czarneski and Spellerberg.  She presented a paper on evolutionary game theory at the Iowa Philosophical Society meeting in fall 2005 with Dr. Spellerberg and Casie Schmitt.  She also presented papers at the Symposium for Undergraduate Research at the Argonne National Laboratories, at the Joint Meetings of the MAA and AMS in New Orleans, and at a meeting of the Iowa Section of the MAA.

Shikha Basnet:  Shikha graduated with majors in Economics and Honors in Mathematics in the spring of 2006 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Pittsburgh.  Her Honors thesis, "Monopolist Strategies in a Durable Goods Market," was published in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Mathematics Journal.  She participated for three years in the Mathematics Contest in Modeling and her teams received two Meritorious rankings and one Honorable Mention ranking.

Last Updated: 11/18/11