Get Ready — For Math at OHIO
You did it. You’re going to college!!
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
We’re your Math Department faculty and advisers, and we’ll be here to greet you when you arrive for Bobcat Student Orientation, guide you through your first semester transition to college, and celebrate as you walk across the stage at graduation.
You're here because...
- You love math and enjoy intellectual challenges.
- A degree in the mathematical sciences opens doors with employers.
We're here to help you graduate on plan and on time...
Question #1: What can you do with a Math major?
- While the possibilities are endless, the career path of a math major will depend a lot on your interests and initiatives. Recruiters from many different businesses are looking to interview math majors. Some of our graduates are employed at Wright-Paterson and the NSA. Some are working in data science, clinical research and programming. Some are bankers, administrators and teachers. Many go to graduate and professional schools. At least one of our graduates is a chef, and one is currently a State Representative. See more.
More FAQs...because we know you're wondering.
Hi, I'm Martin Mohlenkamp, and I chair the math department. Drop by my office if you want to talk quantum mechanics...that's my passion, or other math things you're interested in.
Here's one of my best pieces of advice for you:
- Get to know your professors—they are going to be your references for grad school and jobs—and they’ll be part of your Forever OHIO memories.
You can see us all in the Faculty Directory.
Links to check out — Conversations to have
- Class of 2025 Spirit (opens in a new window) -- including fun downloadables!
- Important Info for Admitted Students
- Math Placement details
Chats: Please check out in-person and virtual visit options to talk with advisers, faculty, and students.
Footsteps to follow | Michael Richard fights money laundering, financial crimes
Michael Richard ’12 specializes in finding patterns within data, patterns that can shed light on money laundering and other financial crimes.
He loves to cheer on the Bobcats, and he comes back to campus to talk to undergraduates about careers.
They've been there | Now peer leaders are here for you
SI leaders know exactly what you're going through. They've been there and conquered those tough math courses. And they'll be leading study groups to help everyone do their best.
Supplemental Instruction sessions can help you with study skills, such as note-taking, exam preparation, and textbook reading, are integrated with subject-specific content. Plus they'll help you learn to conceptualize and understand patterns while mastering problem-solving techniques.
You might wonder...
Q. What classes will I take in my first year?
A. All of the majors in our department take three courses as a base during the first year:
- MATH 2301, 2302, 3300 Calculus I, II and III
- MATH 3050 Discrete Math
- MATH 3200 Applied Linear Algebra
Actuarial and Statistics majors also take MATH 2500 Probability and Statistics.
You may have AP credit for some of these courses. Start taking 1-2 of these each semester as you are ready.
Q. Do you have Math Learning Communities?
A. Yes there is a learning community for majors in the Math Department each fall. Usually, they take several courses together and meet as a group once per week.
Q. How does the math placement work?
A. Your initial placement depends on your ACT Math score, or, any classes that you transfer in, including AP credit.
Q. What kinds of support services and resources will be available to me?
A. Learning Mathematics requires work. You should expect to spend a couple of hours each day studying and completing homework assignments. But, you are not alone. Your professors and Classmates are your primary resource.
Take advantage of offices, group study and time in class to ask questions and get help!
The Ohio University Math Tutoring Lab also offers a one-stop location for free mathematics tutoring for many classes. The tutoring staff consists of Teaching Assistants in the Mathematics Department and tutors from the Academic Achievement Center.
You'll also have access to peer-led study sessions in some courses, called Supplemental Instruction, or SI for short.
SI sessions consist of the leaders facilitating activities that will assist students in learning how to study course material. Study skills, such as note-taking, exam preparation, and textbook reading, are integrated with subject-specific content. Students also learn to conceptualize and understand patterns found within a discipline while mastering problem-solving techniques. SI Leaders employ various methods of questioning to engage the students' minds in understanding course concepts.
Q. What kinds of social experiences are there, such as clubs or organizations?
A. Ohio University features a Math Club, a chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics and a chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma, an international professional fraternity organized to promote, encourage and sustain student interest in insurance, risk management and actuarial science.
Q. How does the foreign language placement work?
If you have prior experience or speaking ability with a foreign language, you can take a Language Placement Exam prior to registering for a language course. This placement will help you fulfill the foreign language requirement.