Women's College

• Mathematics (BA, BS)
  
• Mathematics (BA, BS degrees, certifying to teach)
  
• Computer and Information Science
  with a concentration in Information Science (BA, BS)
• Computer and Information Science
  with a concentration in Computer Science (BS)
  
• Mathematics (Minor)
  
• Computer and Information Science (Minor)

Evening Program

• Computer and Information Science
  with a concentration in Information Science (BA, BS)
  
• Computer and Information Science (Minor)

Columbia College’s commitment to integrating technology into a liberal arts curriculum is particularly beneficial for students within the Department of Mathematics.

The department is located in the Barbara Bush Center for Science and Technology. This exceptional facility contains state-of-the-art chemistry, physics, biology, geology, and computer labs, a fully-equipped darkroom, a tissue culture laboratory, six student/faculty research laboratories and a greenhouse. The Center also features a computer lab where students can access personal storage drives. Numerous classrooms are equipped with campus technology that allow students and faculty to present information in a variety of ways.

The mathematics curriculum provides students with opportunities to practice the art of logical reasoning, the skills of problem solving, the joy of collaborative work, and the appropriate use of technology.

Coursework in mathematics required beyond calculus includes:

• differential equations
  
• discrete mathematics
  
• abstract, linear, and applied geometry
  
• numerical methods
  
• probability
  
• statistics

The computer information systems curriculum provides students with the theory, analysis, design and implementation of processes that manipulate and transform information. Courses include a year of programming in an objected-oriented language, systems analysis and design, database management, and choices from networking, web design and other applications. An internship if required for this major.

Teaching Philosophy

The department strives to prepare its majors for success in their future careers in industry, business, or education, or in their pursuit of a graduate degree. Mathematics majors at Columbia College have gone into varies areas of graduate study, including mathematics, computer science, education, law, and audiology. Graduates who have certified to teach are high sought after as mathematics teachers in school districts in South Carolina and beyond.

Our faculty believe in a philosophy of teaching that values collaborative and individual work, the application and use of technology, and modeling of real phenomena. All classes provide opportunities for students to work together to develop collaborative and communication skills that are in great demand in today's workplace.

The department has embraced the use of technology in all courses to enhance students' understanding of complex principles. Faculty members believe that modeling authentic data makes the application of difficult concepts readily accessible to students.

Individual independent study courses are also offered as needed by our students. In addition, a required capstone course, Historical Topics Seminar, taken during the senior years provides students with the opportunity to investigate the history and development of certain mathematical ideas.