Mathematics Program

The remarkable effectiveness of mathematics to reveal and quantify patterns in every human discipline makes a degree in Mathematics enormously valuable and versatile.

The Department of Mathematics at St. Bonaventure University offers a major that prepares students for a myriad of careers, ranging from business to industry to government to secondary education, as well as for graduate school.

Interested in teaching grade 7-12 math?

At St. Bonaventure you have two paths to initial certification:

Earn your Bachelor of Science in Mathematics while completing requirements for initial certification as a math teacher in grades 7-12. Learn more.
Earn your Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Education with a concentration in Mathematics, which also completes the requirements for initial certification as a math teacher in grades 7-12. Learn more.

Why choose Mathematics?

The curriculum offers foundational courses in calculus, discrete mathematics, analysis, and abstract algebra, as well as electives that students may select based on their interests or career goals.
The program is flexible enough that a student may complement the Mathematics major with a minor, a second major, or honors. Mathematics majors often obtain a minor, and some a second major, in a closely allied area such as Computer Science, Chemistry, Finance, or Physics.
The Mathematics program provides excellent preparation for secondary school teaching. As highlighted above, a student has two Bachelor of Science options for obtaining their initial certification to teach mathematics in grades 7-12 in New York State. Alternately, a student may earn a traditional B.S. in Mathematics and remain at St. Bonaventure to complete a Master's in Adolescence Education.
Students receive one-on-one advising with departmental faculty in selecting a program of study and in pursuing admission to graduate school, professional programs or careers in mathematics.
Non-majors may obtain a minor in Mathematics to complement their own major. A Mathematics minor goes well with a major in Chemistry, Computer Science, Finance, Physics, and just about anything else.

The Chair of the Department of Mathematics is Dr. Christopher Hill, who may be contacted by email or by phone at (716) 375-2025. The Department is located in the Mathematics Suite, which is comprised of rooms 301 and 303 of De La Roche Hall.

Program information

The Department of Mathematics offers a B.S. in Mathematics, a B.S. in Mathematics with grades 7-12 teaching certification, and a minor in Mathematics.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

The major in Mathematics provides a broad foundation of mathematical knowledge and a selection of electives that the student may select based on their interests or career goals.

Degree requirements and a four-year plan for the Mathematics major

Upon successful completion of the Mathematics program at St. Bonaventure University:

graduates will be able to apply mathematical techniques to solve problems;
graduates will be able to determine and verify the correctness or incorrectness of mathematical statements;
graduates will understand and be able to use definitions of mathematical terms;
graduates will be able to communicate mathematical ideas both verbally and in writing.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with teaching certification

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics while completing all requirements for initial New York state certification to teach math in grades 7-12.

Program details and requirements

Development, Learning, and Motivation: Graduates of the St. Bonaventure University undergraduate Mathematics - Adolescence Education major will have acquired a strong foundation in developmental learning theories, pedagogy, principles of classroom management, and sound educational research for use in adapting curriculum and teaching to support the learning and development of all adolescents.
Content and Pedagogical Knowledge: Graduates of the St. Bonaventure University undergraduate Mathematics - Adolescence Education major will have achieved mastery of their content knowledge base, foundation in educational theory and pedagogy, and instructional skills and strategies to construct learning opportunities supportive of the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of a diverse student population. Specifically, the graduates will be able to
- a. apply mathematical techniques to solve problems,
- b. determine and verify the correctness or incorrectness of mathematical statements,
- c. understand and be able to use definitions of mathematical terms, and
- d. communicate mathematical ideas both verbally and in writing.
Instruction: Graduates of the St. Bonaventure University undergraduate Mathematics - Adolescence Education major will apply their content knowledge base, foundation in theory and pedagogy, and instructional skills and strategies to actual classroom practice in order to construct learning opportunities supportive of the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of a diverse student population.
Assessment: Graduates of the St. Bonaventure University Mathematics - Adolescence Education major will know and utilize a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques-aligned with current state, national and local learning standards-in order to evaluate the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of all adolescents.
Professionalism: Graduates of the St. Bonaventure University undergraduate Mathematics - Adolescence Education major will utilize appropriate communication and collaboration skills within the spectrum of a school community; demonstrate commitment to continual learning in order to make wise decisions and work to address evolving issues; and continue to be reflective practitioners who exhibit commitment to the profession’s code of ethics.

Minor in Mathematics

For non-majors, the Math minor provides a solid grounding in mathematics to aid in the understanding of their major fields.

Requirements for the Mathematics minor

Uhl speaks on 'Grids, Graphs, Greatness' at Niagara University

Oct 25, 2024 | Dr. Christine Uhl, associate professor of Mathematics, gave an invited talk at Niagara University on Oct. 10.

Join SBU faculty and students and community partners Oct. 5 for interactive science activities

Sep 30, 2024 | St. Bonaventure University faculty and students are once again inviting the public to “Fall in Love with Science” and explore the science behind their food, health and community.

Uhl publishes two peer-reviewed articles in mathematics journals

Sep 19, 2024 | Dr. Christine Uhl, associate professor of Mathematics, recently had two peer-reviewed articles published.

Dr. Christopher Hill

Chair of the Mathematics Department

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

(716) 375-2025

Send an email

De La Roche 301 C