Department of Mathematics

Gary Hall, Professor and Chair
Brandon Banes, Associate Professor
Randy E. Bouldin, Professor
Katie Link, Instructor

Lydia Towell, Visiting Professor
Mark A. Miller, Professor
Amy W. Nelson, Professor

The mission of the Department of Mathematics is to teach courses with the intent of increasing literacy and competency in mathematics and providing the academic foundation for those who desire to be professional mathematicians, mathematics educators or to work in areas that require a strong mathematical background. There is a constant and growing demand for training in the mathematical sciences in our modern technological society. Students may select from a wide range of course offerings including courses designed for general education, for pre-professional studies (engineering, medicine, law and so forth), and for major programs. Both the B.A. and B.S. degrees are offered with either the regular major, applied major or the teaching major in mathematics.

Distinctives of the Mathematics Department

The department offers majors in mathematics, applied mathematics and mathematics education with countless opportunities in each major. Students graduating with the mathematics major are prepared to enter graduate studies in mathematics or to become a practicing mathematician. Recent graduates are now actuaries, statisticians or doctoral candidates at major graduate institutions. Graduates with the mathematics education major are highly sought to be high school mathematics teachers. The applied mathematics major is used in conjunction with other science, business or engineering majors.

The Department of Mathematics and the other science departments in conjunction with the College of Education received a $1.2 million Noyce grant from the National Science Foundation to recruit STEM education majors. The math department is also working with the College of Engineering on a grant designed to help pre-STEM students be better prepared for college math courses. In the past the department was awarded for 13 years a Math/Science Partnership Grants from the Tennessee State Department of Education to provide summer professional development institutes for area mathematics teachers. These institutes focused on innovative use of hands-on activities and technology in the teaching of mathematics.

During the past ten years, several of the mathematics department faculty have received some of the most prestigious awards given by Lipscomb University including: the Laine Travel Award, the Baker Award, and several awards for outstanding teaching and advising.

Students have the opportunity for employment as tutors in the mathematics lab, participation in summer internships at local firms, involvement in the mathematics club, directed research possibilities with faculty, and private tutoring opportunities.

Career Opportunities

Graduate study or work in government and industry
Operations research
Statistics
Computer science
Quality control
Actuary
Teaching at the secondary school level

Program of Study Requirements

Bachelor of Science

Non-Degree