Major & Minor
Mathematics has a fascinating dual nature. Many study it as an object of endless beauty, interest and intellectual challenge, while others are motivated by its applications to real-world problems. Increasingly, mathematics is an essential tool for modeling phenomena in the physical, biological and social sciences. Mathematical literacy is the key to surviving and thriving in the world of technology. At its heart, mathematics is the study of patterns: it is a creative art as well as a science.
A student who majors in mathematics at Wellesley College is prepared for a variety of career paths, whether graduate school in mathematics or a related field like economics or biostatistics, or a career in education, medicine, finance and engineering. As technology grows ever more universal, quantitative skills become increasingly valuable. Moreover, the critical thinking and logical reasoning skills developed in the pursuit of a major in mathematics are excellent preparation for fields as diverse as law, publishing, management consulting and software development.
The most recent National Science Foundation data, which ranks baccalaureate institutions by the total number of women alumnae who earned science and engineering doctorates in the years 2000-2004, show that 201 Wellesley alumnae earned science doctorates. When considered as a percentage of the total number of women alumnae, it is significantly better than the top five schools on the list. Even considering the total numbers, Wellesley College was the highest ranked liberal arts college.
