Math and computer science student Will Victor is spending his summer immersed in Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity and learning to conduct mathematics research. Victor, from Aiken, South Carolina, is working with math and physics Professor Hubert Bray to explore how geometry relates to general relativity. General relativity explains how gravity affects space and time — pulling on them to create curvature we can both predict and measure. Think of how a world map must have curved latitude and longitude… read more about Student’s Summer is a Deep Dive into Deep Math »
Paul Ziquan Yang is using mathematical techniques to eliminate errors in computer hardware. Over the summer, the rising junior math major worked with Robert Calderbank, Charles S. Sydnor professor of computer science, as part of the PRUV Fellowship program, a six-week mentorship sponsored by the Department of Mathematics. Yang now plans to continue to work with Calderbank in the fall and may turn the project into a senior thesis. “Professor Calderbank has been a great source of encouragement and inspiration,” Yang said. “I… read more about Math junior flips for ‘bit flips’ »
Mathematicians' study bolsters call for non-partisan reform. Researchers at Duke University have developed a mathematical model that shows how changes in North Carolina’s congressional voting districts could affect election outcomes. Focusing on the last election, the researchers varied the state’s congressional districts to calculate what the outcome of the 2012 U.S. House of Representatives elections might have been had the state’s districts been drawn to emphasize nonpartisan boundaries. The team re-ran the election… read more about Same Votes, Different Districts Would Change Results »
"My time as a math major at Duke was extremely enjoyable. The faculty were very understanding and helpful, which was important to me since playing on the Duke soccer team and the Icelandic national team kept me very busy. I liked that the classes were often quite small, which made it easier to get to know my classmates and get more attention from my professors.” Thora Helgadottir (‘04), professional soccer player read more about Thora Helgadottir, professional soccer player »
“By pursuing a math major I was able to study quantitative topics relevant to diverse disciplines of science and the social sciences while keeping my post-Duke options open for as long as possible. Most majors in science, engineering, economics, etc. require knowledge of some combination of multivariable calculus, differential equations, probability and statistics, and general problem-solving intuition. Even as late as fall of senior year I was simultaneously interviewing for consulting positions and applying to… read more about Catherine Hartman, Neuroscience PhD candidate »
“I went to Duke wanting to study both math and theater, but worried about the difficulty of pursuing two such different majors. Fortunately, I connected early on with wonderful mentors in the Math department who were supportive of both my interests. I have been able to blend my math and theater majors, even developing a senior distinction project that involves performing a play about math. I also had the opportunity to serve as a TA and work in the math help room, which was perfect for someone like me who wants to teach… read more about Heather Wiese, Math Major »
“I had a wonderfully rich experience as a math major. Beyond pure math, my coursework was applicable to biology, logic, physics, economics, and statistics. More importantly, math taught me how to think, greatly improving my ability to express myself logically. Thanks to accessible, supportive, and skilled faculty, the opportunities afforded a Duke math major are unparalleled.“ Elliott Wolf, J.D. candidate, Stanford Law School; President, Duke Student Government; Duke PRUV Fellow read more about Elliott Wolf, J.D. candidate »
“The benefits of pursuing a mathematics degree at Duke University are endless. As a math major, I developed a logical and analytical mindset that has assisted me within the academic, professional and personal realms of life. I learned to identify the implicit assumptions within a problem or situation, break it down into a series of steps and critically think about viable solutions available through an analytic lens. Due to these acquired skill sets, job acquisition was made that much easier, as I was easily able to portray… read more about Taiesha Abrams, Consultant »
"For the first few weeks of Math 32, my first class at Duke, I felt intimidated and unsure by the difficulty and the rigor of the subject matter. I had considered quitting math altogether, but because I had a passion for it, I decided to try out a few more courses. Fifteen math classes later, I am very grateful for my decision to stick it out; it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Math at Duke, with the aid of the faculty, has taught me to approach and break down, step by step, any problem with solid… read more about Jeremy Semko, PhD candidate »
"Majoring in math has taught me to think logically and learn conceptually. For instance, constructing proofs helped me develop abstract thinking skills, which can in turn foster a very valuable internal problem-solving method that can be used for life. By exposing me to entirely new problems under pressure, it helped me develop the confidence and problem-solving abilities that are necessary for success in the fast-paced world of finance. The professors, aside from being world-class, are very accessible and always willing to… read more about Matt Moore, Fixed Income Exotics Trading »
"Mathematics is a beautiful subject, and Duke is a fantastic place for it. What really sticks in my mind about the faculty at Duke is how delighted they were to work with students, and how eager professors were to take time out of their schedules to answer questions. Additionally, the best academic experience I had while at Duke consisted of my senior thesis project. I worked on a problem that was very interesting to me, and the enthusiastic mentorship I received greatly enhanced my undergraduate experience.” Aaron Pollack… read more about Aaron Pollack, PhD candidate »