Mathematics Information
Frequently Asked Questions About Mathematics
Q. I would like to be a math teacher. Does Otterbein have a program for this?
A. Otterbein offers teacher licensure in Integrated Mathematics, which allows you to teach grades 7-12. Contact the Department of Education for details.
Q. What can I do with a math degree?
A.
Mathematics is an essential part of many different career fields. Many
students with Bachelors or Masters degrees in mathematics find jobs in
industry or government in such fields as aerospace, electronics,
communications, insurance, and banking. Operations research is a growing
field in which mathematics is applied to industrial problems of
resource allocation, production scheduling, and distribution. There is
also consistent demand for statisticians in government, industry, and
education.
Q. I do not intend to major in math. How many math courses am I required to take?
A. Mathematics
requirements vary by degree. The Bachelor of Science degree, for
instance, requires mathematics through Calculus II while the Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree requires no mathematics at all. The number of courses
you need to take also depends on your score on Otterbein's mathematics
placement exam taken during summer orientation.
Q. Why do I have to take a math placement exam?
A.
Remember the story about the three bears? We want to be sure your first
mathematics course at Otterbein is neither too easy nor too difficult,
but just right for you. We want you to succeed so we offer courses at
several different levels. High school and college courses with similar
names vary greatly in topics and/or in the dept of coverage for
corresponding topics. Placement exams are a better indicator of your
mathematical maturity, and are used everywhere.
Q. What if I have a bad math day and do poorly on the math placement exam; can I take it again?
A.
No, the placement exam can be taken only once. If you feel your
placement exam score does not reflect your true level of mathematical
maturity, you may request to take the final exam of a specific course
for possible placement into the next higher course.
Mathematics Resources
Tutoring
Math tutoring at Otterbein is provided by the Academic Support Center. It is located on the 2nd floor of the Courtright Memorial Library. The Math Specialist is Ann Biancamano, 614.823.1823.
Professional Organizations
- American Statistical Association
1429 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3402
(703) 684-1221
Web site: http://www.amstat.org/
- Association for Women in Mathematics
4114 Computer & Space Sciences Building
University of Maryland
University Park, Maryland 20742-2461
(301) 405-7892
E-mail: awm@math.umd.edu
Web site: http://www.awm-math.org/
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
1906 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091-1593
(703) 620-9840
Web site: http://www.nctm.org/
Mathematics Education Resources
- Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education
1929 Kenny Road
Columbus, OH 43210-1079
Web site: http://www.enc.org/
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
1906 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091-1593
(703) 620-9840
Web site: http://www.nctm.org/