Earning your major or minor in mathematics or minor in data science has both intrinsic beauty and wide applicability. It also strengthens critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills. A recent survey of mathematics majors shows careers as bankers, teachers, defense analysts, actuaries, and programmers. Recent math majors from Hollins have matriculated to graduate school placements in mathematics, forensic science, medicine, and law.
All majors and minors referenced below are housed in the Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science department at Hollins.
Tracks
Mathematics Major (B.A./B.S.)
Mathematics & statistics students are well educated in calculus, linear algebra, statistics, algebra, and analysis. They learn to apply mathematical concepts to problem solving. Additionally, they are immersed in the development and communication of applied and theoretical mathematics.
Mathematics Major with Data Science Concentration (B.S.)
Combining courses from mathematics, computer science, and statistics, the data science concentration prepares students for a wide variety of jobs, not only in the tech sector but in virtually every sector. Data has become a primary commodity for many different types of businesses, and our graduates are prepared to meet the challenges and reap the rewards of an exciting data science career.
Mathematics Minor
Those who minor in math acquire a broad, comprehensive background in pattern recognition and problem solving. Students learn calculus and take our Transition to Advanced Mathematics course (MATH 310), among other classes.
Data Science Minor
The minor in data science is suitable for students majoring in any field, from the natural sciences to the social sciences, to the humanities or the arts. The fact is that virtually every area of the economy has been affected by the explosive growth of data in recent years. The data science minor provides students with the essential skills necessary to join the data-driven workforce in their field of choice.
QR Center
The Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Center was established in 2002. Its primary focus is to provide assistance to students in their 100– and 200-level mathematics and statistics classes; however, many tutors have skill sets that extend into other areas of STEM and beyond. Experienced student tutors (often coming from our mathematics majors and minors) are available to answer questions regarding a variety of courses (Learn more by visiting our “QR Tutors” page). The QR Center staff will identify and recommend resources to enhance and reinforce skills necessary for each student to achieve success in addressing quantitative issues
Senior Research Experience
Majors take a two-semester Senior Seminar where they select a topic and research it under the guidance of faculty mentors. Recent topics include connections between mathematics and quantum mechanics, game theory in the FIFA World Cup penalty shootouts, bias in facial recognition programs, understanding the statistics behind machine learning, predicting the stock market using a variety of techniques including ARIMA and logistic regression, sphere packing and tetrahedron packing, nonlinear differential equations models for interacting species, using combinatorics to optimize wedding seating arrangements, using data science techniques to analyze financial markets.
Recent Internships for Science and Math Majors at Hollins
Hollins students majoring in social sciences have recently engaged in internships with the below as well as dozens of other industries and institutions:
- Data Analyst intern, Harris County Precinct One, Houston, TX
- People Analytics Intern, NASA, Washington, DC
- Data Science intern, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Technology Services Intern, Houston Police Department, Houston, TX
- Software Developer Intern, MemberMax, Roanoke, VA
- Visualization Intern, Takeda, Boston, MA
- Software Engineer Intern, Spilt Milk Studios, London, UK
- Marketing Data Science Intern. Annalect – Omicron Media Group, New York, NY
- Data Analyst Intern, E2Exchange, London, UK
- Data Science Research Intern, Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
- External Affairs Data Analyst Intern, America Needs You, New York, NY
- Data Analysis/Marketing Intern, ProDeal 360, New York, NY
- Research Intern, The Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
- Data Analyst Intern, Climate Central, New Jersey
- Junior Underwriter Intern, AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation, Atlanta, GA
- Data and Research Analyst, Clean Energy Pipeline, London, UK
- Data Analyst Intern, inspiratia, London, UK
- Junior Analyst Intern, Critical Path Security, Atlanta, GA
- Data Analytics Intern, Climate Central, Princeton, NJ
- Business Analyst Intern, DecodeM, New York, NY
- Finance Intern, Stride Inc, Herndon, NJ
- Research Intern, Radicle Labs, New York, NY
- Actuarial Intern, SGRisk LLC, Lyndhurst, NJ
Students Apply Math to Many Professional Fields
Majors earn graduate school placements in mathematics, forensic science, medicine, and law. Hollins majors have gone into many diverse fields including:
- Accountants
- Actuaries
- Art historians
- Archeologists
- Data scientists
- Defense analysts
- Doctors
- Economists
- Financial planners
- Investment analysts
- Programmers
- Quantitative analysts
- Statisticians
- Teachers
Hollins Students Pursue Advanced Degrees
Below is just a small sampling of acceptances into graduate, medical, veterinary, and allied health schools attended by science and math majors from Hollins:
Graduate Schools
- James Madison University
- North Carolina State
- University of Florida
- University of Georgia
- University of Maryland
- University of Virginia
Medical Schools
- East Carolina University
- Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Mercer University
- University of North Carolina
- University of Texas
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Temple University
Veterinary Schools
- Colorado State University
- North Carolina State University
- University of California – Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
- University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
- University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
- University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (Virginia Tech)
Allied Health Graduate Programs
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Radford University
- School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Physician’s Assistant Program, Arcadia University
- Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University
