Department of Mathematics
- College of Science and Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics is committed to supporting all learners form a deeper appreciation for the power, role, relevance and beauty of mathematics within a dynamic, collaborative and personalized environment. Our undergraduate and graduate programs encourage students to think critically and creatively as they pursue purposeful questions from multiple perspectives. We embrace and advance connections among the sciences, arts, humanities and business through mathematics. Students are supported as they become more informed citizens, prepared for graduate studies, teaching and a variety of careers that meet their aspirations and the needs of an ever-changing society.
- 973-655-4263
- Center for Computing and Information Science suite 425
Department Contact
- Secretarial Assistant I/Non-Steno
- Chairperson
Contact the Department
- 973-655-4263
- Center for Computing and Information Science suite 425
Basic Tips for Success in College
- Attend class regularly and pay close attention.
- Review notes the same day after class and make note of things you do not understand so you can clarify them during the next class.
- Make time to study math every day. Doing homework is not enough; you need to spend time reading and thinking about the material. Highlight important material in the assigned text and notes.
- Do not wait until a test or quiz to study.
- Review example problems solved in the text and notes on a regular basis. Keep going back to older topics covered in the course so you do not forget the basics.
- When solving problems, especially when you are not quite sure of the solution strategy, pursue every line of thinking and make note of it clearly in your notebook. When you have received the final solution, compare it against your own attempts to figure out flaws in your thinking. It is important to pay attention to your tendencies – good and bad – and make the necessary adjustments.
- Pay attention to the syllabus carefully at the beginning of the semester. Review course policy as outlined in the syllabus and on tests and other assignments.
- Before attending class, preview the appropriate chapter in the textbook and read over notes from the last class period.
- Ask questions in class about homework, problems or material discussed in that day’s class.
- Attend Office Hours regularly.
- Find out about additional support available through the university and department such as the Math Center, a math tutor or the Study Skills Center.
- Always review your work after you are finished, whether on a test or homework.
- Show respect to your classmates and professor.
Preparing for Life After College
- Develop good study skills and discipline which will serve you well in your future.
- Start thinking about next steps and life after college as early as possible. By the time you are in your junior year, it is good to have some idea of possible career paths you might want to pursue.
- Even as a freshman meet with the department advisor to find out about program options. The Math department offers various undergraduate, double major, and BS/MS programs which you might want to learn about. Some of these programs require you to take specific courses early on so you may complete the program on time.
- Get to know the department; explore the department website and talk to faculty members, even those who are not your instructors, when you get the opportunity.
- Meet with your faculty advisor and discuss courses, career options, and anything else of interest to you. Connect with advisors early and meet them at least once a semester.
- Attend events organized by the department such as career workshops, graduate school preparation, seminars, etc. These provide excellent opportunities to network with others in the department and learn about opportunities you may not have known about.
- Participate in the Math Community Canvas page. Review the page regularly.
- Become a member of the Math Club.
- By the time you are in your senior year, it is good to have a resume and portfolio ready no matter what your future path. The Math Department can help you put together a portfolio.
These helpful tips were compiled by both mathematics students and professors here at Montclair State University.
Being a Mathematics Major
Your fellow students discuss what being in the math program is like for them
Grace Pomaah Amoako
- Major: MSc Mathematics with a concentration in Mathematics Education
- Anticipated Graduation: May 2027
As a first-generation student from Ghana, I didn’t always find math enjoyable. In high school, I struggled with logarithms until a remarkable professor in the teacher training college changed my perspective. His teaching approach showed me that anyone can understand and enjoy math, and that inspired me to pursue my master's in mathematics.
That experience shaped my teaching. For four years, I’ve focused on breaking down complex ideas and always explaining the “why,” helping students move beyond memorization to understanding the logic of math.
What I enjoy most about math is the sense of discovery and the satisfaction that comes with solving complex problems. My goal is to make math accessible to all students, and after graduation, I hope to pursue a PhD in mathematics education and become a professor, helping students see the beauty of mathematics.
Alex Brown
- Major: Combined BS/MAT in Mathematics with Teacher Certification in Mathematics and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
- Anticipated Graduation: May 2026 (BS) and May 2027 (MAT)
Ever since I was a young kid, I have always really loved numbers, and due to this, I began to love mathematics. Whether it’s sports statistics or attributes in a video game, I have always had mathematics and numbers at the core of all of my interests. As an avid runner, there is really so much mathematics and data involved in long-distance running, and I love being able to bring mathematics into new contexts. After I graduate, I will become a high school mathematics teacher, as I have a love for both numbers and helping people learn. One day, I would love to continue my mathematics education and possibly go into the field of sabermetrics within professional baseball.
Lauren Khalil
- Major: BS in Mathematics
- Anticipated Graduation: May 2028
Math is something I grew to love during high school, despite that being the time I struggled the most with the subject. It was then that I began to notice math all around me and realize just how universal it is. In everything you see and everything you do, math is there. I find it remarkable how ubiquitous math is; it is easily the closest thing we have to a universal language, which is fascinating in its own right. Another thing I love about math is how interconnected it is; no concentration of mathematics exists in a vacuum. All kinds of math and all of their applications are related to one another, something that has created the ever-expanding web that is math as we know it. After graduation, I hope to either build an understanding and appreciation of mathematics in the classroom or to pursue a career in applied mathematics.
Preston Pietruszewski
- Major: Combined BS/MAT in Mathematics with Teacher Certification in Mathematics and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
- Anticipated Graduation: May 2026 (BS) and May 2027 (MAT)
Something interesting about math is how it is intertwined with everything in life. Science, cooking, the human body, nature and much more! That’s what I love about math, the immense variety of it. There are so many different branches of mathematics and even more unknown information about them. I hope that my love for math can be transferred to my students, the future mathematicians of our world!
Nyaisha Green
- Major: BS in Mathematics
- Graduated: May 2026
When I was a kid, I loved reading and writing. I always excelled in all subjects, but math was never necessarily my favorite. Then, one day in fifth grade, the teacher put letters next to the numbers and I fell in love. My journey to learning mathematics has been a rollercoaster to say the least. The constant ups and downs of getting stuck on something for weeks and then finally having those eureka moments make it all worthwhile. I have a deep passion for math, and my time at Montclair has helped me to develop a great deal of respect for this miraculous subject. I also enjoy teaching mathematics to others, as I work for the tutoring center as a Supplemental Instructor and I want to be a professor in the future. My favorite branches of mathematics are (in no particular order) geometry, trigonometry, algebra, ordinary differential equations, and single and multivariate calculus.