Chair: Kevin Brown
Faculty: Patricia Anderson, Kevin Brown, Adam Heck, Ronald D. Johnson
Program Coordinator: Kevin Brown
Throughout recorded history mathematics and mathematical thinking have influenced man's culture to an extent that even many well-educated people fail to appreciate. The Elements of Euclid, the invention of a place-value numeration system, the invention of the calculus, the development of statistical inference, and more recently the development of computers, to name just a few, are mathematical contributions to civilization which have significantly affected the philosophies, commerce, science, and technology of mankind.
The Mathematics Department seeks to transmit this mathematical heritage to the students of Southern Adventist University by (1) introducing students to mathematical concepts and techniques and the disciplined, logical thinking required to successfully apply them to a variety of problem-solving experiences, (2) providing a stage in the formal education of professional mathematicians, (3) educating teachers of mathematics, and (4) providing appropriate courses for users of mathematics.
In harmony with Southern Adventist University's Christian environment, the Mathematics Department seeks to provide students with mathematical skills and concepts appropriate to their chosen field of study and to prepare mathematics majors and minors for distinguished professional performance in mathematics or other fields that require a strong mathematical background.
All mathematics majors are required to take the Educational Testing Service Major Field Achievement Test in mathematics during their senior year. The results of this examination are used in an ongoing review of the departmental curriculum.