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Academics

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Saint Louis University offers undergraduate options in pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics, as well as graduate degrees in mathematics. The mission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics is to further knowledge of, and develop professional skills in, mathematics and statistics.

Our faculty members are leaders in both research and teaching, and our SLU students pursue many career paths, including business, industry, medicine, government and education.

The department's mission, guided by the Jesuit character of the University and the liberal arts character of the College, provides students with exercise and growth in moral and intellectual habits so they may fulfill their respective vocations in life and be intelligent, ethical, and useful members of society. The faculty form a community of scholars whose research enriches their teaching and contributes to solving human problems.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is firmly committed to fostering a welcoming environment that provides each of its members (faculty, staff, and students alike) with an equitable opportunity to advance both their education and their career.  We welcome, value, and support a diverse community of individuals from different backgrounds in racial, ethnic, religious, socio-economic, gender identity and expression, and other aspects of diversity.

Degrees in Mathematics and Statistics at Saint Louis University

Why Study Mathematics?

Mathematics reveals hidden patterns that help us understand the world around us. Now much more than arithmetic and geometry, mathematics today is a diverse discipline that deals with data, measurements and observations from science; with inference, deduction and proof; and with mathematical models of natural phenomena, of human behavior and social systems.

The process of "doing" mathematics is far more than just calculation or deduction; it involves observing patterns, testing conjectures and estimating results. As a practical matter, mathematics is a science of pattern and order. Its domain is not molecules or cells, but numbers, chance, form, algorithms and change. As a science of abstract objects, mathematics relies on logic rather than on observation as its standard of truth, yet employs observation, simulation and even experimentation as means of discovering truth.

The special role of mathematics in education stems from its universal applicability. The results of mathematics — theorems and theories — are both significant and useful; the best results are also elegant and deep. Through its theorems, mathematics offers science both a foundation of truth and a standard of certainty. In addition to theorems and theories, mathematics offers distinctive modes of thought that are both versatile and powerful, including modeling, abstraction, optimization, logical analysis, inference from data and use of symbols.

As a major intellectual tradition, mathematics is a subject appreciated as much for its beauty as for its power. The enduring qualities of such abstract concepts as symmetry, proof, and change have been developed through 3,000 years of intellectual effort. Like language, religion and music, mathematics is a universal part of human culture.

The Classroom Experience

If you major in math at SLU, you can expect a student-friendly environment featuring small classes taught by math faculty. In fact, most calculus classes are capped at 30 students.

Our faculty get to know students and provide individual advice. Our students have the opportunity to participate in math contests and other competitions.

SLU also offers the resources of a large university, including:

  • A comprehensive liberal arts core that provides a well-rounded education.
  • Diverse course options that allow you to tailor your selection of upper-division courses to your interests and goals.
  • Options to add a second major, concentration or significant extra coursework in mathematics to our degree programs.
  • A campus in Madrid, as well as a robust collection of study abroad programs that fit within SLU's academic requirements.

Department Highlights

  • Faculty members who are internationally recognized researchers in pure mathematics and statistics.
  • Award-winning educators dedicated to innovation in instruction, curricular development and classroom technology.
  • Advanced mathematics and statistics courses in the context of a liberal arts education.
  • Small class sizes and a 1:1 faculty-student ratio in graduate programs.
  • Student involvement in club activities, service and academic competitions.