Mathematics & Statistics

Mathematics is the study of structures and phenomena that arise in science, theory, and daily life. Statistics yields remarkable insight into the data that pervade modern life.

At Amherst College, the study of mathematics and statistics covers a wide range of pure and applied topics. The ideas of mathematics and statistics are not only beautiful and valuable in themselves but also relevant to many other disciplines, including biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, environmental studies and physics, as well as many of the social sciences.

Our introductory course offerings include Calculus, Linear Algebra and Applied Statistics. For students interested in mathematics as a liberal art, we also have courses such as Number Theory, Mathematical Modeling and Discrete Mathematics. In these courses, suitable for majors and non-majors alike, students learn the power of applications and enjoy the satisfaction of constructing rigorous proofs. For students who wish to inquire more deeply into the subject, a major in mathematics or statistics offers a full range of courses, together with the possibility of doing a senior honors thesis in either major.

Group portrait of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The Latest

Amherst team places 1st in Modeling Contest

The Amherst College team with Ariella Goldberg '19, Shashank Sule '20, and Obinna Ukogu '18 won 1st place among 11 teams at the SCUDEM (differential equations modeling) competition that took place at Springfield College on April 20th, after working the previous week on developing their model. Their work also received the outstanding award. Congratulations!

Prof Amanda Folsom's Book Wins PROSE Award

 Prof Amanda Folsom, along with co-authors Kathrin Bringmann, Ken Ono, and Larry Rolen, has won the 2018 PROSE Award for Mathematics for their new book Harmonic Maass Forms and Mock Modular Forms, published by the American Mathematical Society.

Statistics Professor Nick Horton Selected Fellow of the AAAS

Professor Nicholas Horton has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in recognition of his “distinguished research contributions to statistical and data sciences, creativity in statistics education and professional service developing curriculum guidelines for statistical education and computing.”

Math Major Hui Xu Recognized for Excellence in Mathematics by AWM

Math major Hui Xu '18 won honorable mention for the 2018 Alice T. Schafer Prize, a national award by the Association for Women in Mathematics for excellence in mathematics by undergraduate women. She was nominated by Prof Amanda Folsom. Hui will be honored at the Joint Meetings in San Diego at the AWM Reception and Awards Presentation in January.

2016 AMS Steele Prize for Exposition

The AMS Leroy P. Steele Prize for Exposition was awarded to three mathematicians: David Cox (Amherst College), John Little (College of the Holy Cross), and Donal O'Shea (New College of Florida) "for their book Ideals, Varieties, and Algorithms, which has made algebraic geometry and computational commutative algebra accessible not just to mathematicians but to students and researchers in many fields."

Department Highlights

The Math Major

The Math Major

Students engage in many aspects of modern mathematics, ranging from the beauty and insight of proofs in an abstract setting to the power and excitement of using mathematics in concrete applications.

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About Mathematics & Statistics

The Statistics Major

Students develop the capacity to “think with data” through integrated and repeated exposure to statistical methods, mathematical and computational foundations, modeling and statistical practice.

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About Mathematics & Statistics

Study Abroad

Many mathematics and statistics majors study abroad in their junior year. Interested? See a mathematician or statistician in the department in the spring of your sophomore year to make plans.

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About Mathematics & Statistics

Summer Opportunities

Students have numerous opportunities to take part in summer research, internships and teaching. Check out our list of REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates).

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About Mathematics & Statistics

Alumni

Majors go on to graduate school in mathematics, statistics and related fields; to teaching positions; to actuarial positions; and to many other careers. Learn what some of our alumni are doing now.

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Mathematics & Statistics Courses

Current Courses
Student Teaching

Teaching Opportunities

Many of our majors are interested in teaching. We've collected information on teaching as a summer experience, teaching after Amherst as a career, and taking a semester abroad focusing on mathematics education in Budapest. After you click to learn more, scroll down to find the section that interests you.

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