Student Resources
About the Program
Math majors will...
- Join a diverse and welcoming community of undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty;
- Have the opportunity to take courses at a wide variety of levels, from quantitative skills through graduate-level mathematics;
- Take part in a rich array of enjoyable extracurricular activities and events;
- Learn mathematics from faculty who are both exceptional teachers and active research mathematicians;
- Be exposed to a broad spectrum of subjects, including financial mathematics, number theory, topology, and mathematical modeling of sustainability and of biological processes;
- Gain valuable skills, opening opportunities for exciting careers after graduation.
- Do research with an individual faculty member and write an honors thesis;
- Be mentored in applying for summer research or internships, study abroad programs, graduate schools, and more;
- Challenge yourself with graduate courses;
- Complete a combined A.B./M.A. degree in four years;
- Find a new home away from home.
- Our extensive curriculum offers standard undergraduate courses such as calculus, linear algebra, analysis, and algebra as well as many special topics such as number theory, knot theory, chaos, and wavelets.
- A unique feature of our liberal arts setting is that we also have an active graduate program.
- A number of our undergraduates choose to take graduate courses. A few students take advantage of the combined A.B./M.A. degree every year. These students finish their four years at Bryn Mawr with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in mathematics.
The Math Department strongly encourages students entering without advanced placement credit to take a math placement exam. The math placement exams are designed to help students decide which course is right for them. The Math Readiness Exam helps students decide among Quan 111 (Modeling Change with Functions), Math 104 (Basic Probability and Statistics), and Math 101 (Calculus 1). The Calculus Placement Exam helps students decide between Math 101, Math 102 (Calculus 2), and Math 201 (Multivariable Calculus).
The results of placement exams are not binding. They provide a recommendation only. Students should register for the course in which they feel the right balance between comfort and challenge.
Questions concerning the placement process should be directed to Amy N. Myers at anmyers@brynmawr.edu.
Students can earn the A.B. and M.A. degrees in an integrated four-year or five-year program. Learn more.
Faculty members have extensive research expertise in a wide variety of areas. This benefits our course offerings since we have a deep vision of how the mathematics taught is applied in both higher theory and applications. Many majors take advantage of the opportunity to do a senior thesis, receiving one-on-one mentoring from a faculty member while pursuing mathematical research.
In this Mathematics Department we make a conscious effort to be welcoming to students at every step of their Bryn Mawr experience.
We strongly believe in cultivating a sense of community and fellowship for all those studying mathematics. We are proud to host a “Mathematical Association of America Student Chapter,” the umbrella organization under which all our activities occur.
One of our mathematically oriented clubs is the “Distressing Math Collective,” a forum for discussing mathematical paradoxes and other advanced mathematical topics not covered in math courses. This group meets each week, attracting a mix of undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, alumnae, and friends. This is just one of the ways that we establish an atmosphere in which intellectual pursuits are both challenging and fun. In addition, we often sponsor “career talks,” which feature outside speakers — often alumni — discussing opportunities for math majors in business, government, teaching, and graduate study and research.
Careers and Department Jobs
Studying mathematics is the gateway to many rewarding, exciting, and fast-moving career paths. The Mathematical Association of America provides information on a number of career options for math graduates. Learn more.
Explore a range of job opportunities within the Department of Mathematics.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Bryn Mawr College Math Department is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all students. You can report any experience that does not feel inclusive or welcoming through our microaggression reporting system by clicking on the Microaggression Reporting tab. Your report will be read and acted upon as soon as possible.
- Microaggression Reporting and Response Team for the Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics is committed to making its classrooms and all departmental forums equitable and inclusive. One of several steps we are taking is to establish a pilot program of a Microaggression Report Form and Microaggression Response Team. Through this program, the Department of Mathematics hopes to raise awareness and decrease the incidence of microaggressions.
While forms and response teams are important first steps, we hope that this pilot will lead to and support ongoing dialogue about how to create inclusive and equitable spaces and practices for learning.
We welcome suggestions on how to improve the process.
- What is a Microaggression?
A dictionary defines a microaggression as a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority.
- How does one report a microaggression for the Department of Mathematics?
Click here to anonymously report a microaggression. There is an option to include your name if you want the Response Team to contact you.
- Who makes up the Microaggression Response Team?
The Response Team consists of the following individuals:
- Victor Donnay (current Chair of Mathematics)
- Lisa Traynor (past Chair of Mathematics)
- Amy Myers (Math Program Director)
The Response Team has committed to obtaining online training in microaggressions. This microaggression reporting and response complements Bryn Mawr College’s established Bias Report Form and a Bias Response Team. Click here to learn more. More serious incidents will be reported to that response team.
Additional Resources
The Mathematics Department at Bryn Mawr College believes in cultivating a vibrant and enriching environment with a sense of community and fellowship for all those studying mathematics. The department sponsors a number of extracurriculars each academic year. Explore our activities.
Collier Science Library collections support the academic and research needs of the biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, physics, and psychology programs. Learn more.
Co-founded by Professor Erica J. Graham.
Learn about the accomplishments of Black scholars in the mathematical sciences.
Co-founded by Professor Selvi Kara.
Co-founded by Professor Emeritus Rhonda Hughes.
Contact Us
Mathematics Department
Tina Fasbinder
Academic Administrative Assistant
tfasbinder@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5348
Fax: 610-526-6575
Park Science Building
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2899