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Goals for the Mathematics Major:

Upon completion of the Major in Mathematics (and to a lesser extent upon the completion of a Minor in Mathematics or a Minor in Statistics), a student shall have achieved the following:

Goal 1: Students will develop a fundamental conceptual knowledge of continuous and discrete Mathematics. (Ia, IVa)

• Outcome 1.1: Students will demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts, definitions and theorems in single- and multi-variable Calculus. (1c, IIa, IIb, IIc)
• Outcome 1.2: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts, definitions, and theorems in discrete fields such as Linear Algebra, Theory of Numbers, and Graph Theory. (1c, IIa, IIb, IIc)

Goal 2: Students will apply a variety of techniques to solve applied or computational problems. (Ic, IIa, IIb, IIId, IVa)

• Outcome 2.1: Students will apply mathematical algorithms, formulas, and models that can be used to solve problems. (Ic, IIa, IIb, IIId, IVa)
• Outcome 2.2: Students will utilize computing technology to solve problems. (Ic, IIa, IIb, IIId, IVa)

Goal 3: Students will have a facility in mathematical reasoning, an understanding of definitions, axioms, and theorems, and an ability to use them appropriately in formulating proofs. (IIa, IIb, IIc)

• Outcome 3.1: Students will apply a variety of proof techniques used in analysis, algebra, topology, and other fields of mathematics to prove statements in these fields. (IIa, IIb, IIc)
• Outcome 3.2: Students will demonstrate an ability to use mathematical reasoning to provide convincing arguments that support or undercut mathematical conjectures. (IIa, IIb, IIc)

Goal 4: Students will communicate mathematics effectively in both written and oral form. (IIc)

• Outcome 4.1: Students will write clear, correct, and well-organized expository papers and proofs of mathematical statements. (IIc)
• Outcome 4.2: Students will give clear, well-organized presentations on mathematical topics. (IIc)

Goal 5: Students will appreciate the cultural and aesthetic aspects of mathematics. (IIe, Iva, IVd)

Learn more about college-wide goals for student learning 

Helpful forms for your academic journey
Need to register an independent study, request travel support to present your work, or submit a course override? Use the links below to get started.

• Independent Study
• Travel to Present
• Course Registration Override

Looking to declare a major or minor? Visit the Registrar’s website for the most up-to-date forms and instructions.

Planning to take calculus sometime in your four years at Skidmore?

If you are planning to take a calculus course at Skidmore, you must complete the Calculus Placement Exam online.

Information about the placement exam

Skidmore offers several levels of calculus. The Placement Exam is a tool that helps the department advise students on which calculus course is best suited for them.

The test is not timed. Do not use textbooks. Do not consult with anyone, and do not use a calculator (even if your course allowed or required you to use calculators).

To begin taking the test, click the link below. You will be prompted to enter your Skidmore username and password and then accept the conditions of the test. After submitting your results, you will receive an email with your recommended placement.

If you have any questions about accessing or taking the test, feel free to contact Kim Newsom at knewsom@skidmore.edu, who can answer your questions about the test. If you don't hear back in a day or two, please contact Becky Trousil at rtrousil@skidmore.edu.

Take the placement exam

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition is a renowned undergraduate math competition for students in the US and Canada. The exam takes place on a Saturday in early December and is an all-day affair consisting of two three-hour sessions with a two-hour break for lunch in between. The (notoriously challenging) problems are designed to test creativity and problem-solving just as much as, if not more than, technical math skills. The Putnam Exam is open to all undergraduates; you do not need to have taken any specific courses, and you do not need to be majoring or minoring in math to participate. 

If you are interested in taking the exam or looking for more information, please contact Assistant Professor Greg Malen at gmalen@skidmore.edu.  

Students who want to take the exam should also consider signing up for our Fall Problem-Solving Seminar, MA 125/225/325. This (incredibly fun!) seminar is designed to help students prepare for the Putnam Exam and, more importantly, to expose students to beautiful ideas in mathematics that you may not see anywhere else in the standard curriculum. The seminar and the exam are intended to complement each other, but they are not tied to each other, and you can sign up for one without doing the other.