Mathematics
Hastings College Math alumni find doors opening in all sorts of place because they are versatile problem solvers. You’ll find Math graduates teaching at the high school and university levels, becoming software engineers, implementing technology into their farming and ranching operations, conducting statistical analysis for corporations, practicing law, practicing medicine and serving as accountants and actuaries.
The Hastings College Mathematics Department offers three academic tracks:
- Pure and Applied Emphasis — prepares you for graduate school or industry
- Pre-Actuarial Emphasis — prepares you for a career in actuarial science or graduate
school - Mathematics Education — prepares you to be a middle school or secondary school teacher
Tackle the problems of tomorrow, today
Through challenging coursework and in-class projects, you’ll test your skills and enhance your abilities to apply mathematics to real world and abstract problems.
You’ll also have outside opportunities for internships with businesses and organizations throughout the state, the possibility to engage in regional and national mathematical competitions and the chance to participate in research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) at major research institutions all across the country.
In recent years, students have secured and completed REUs at such places as:
- University of Tennessee
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Ithaca College
- Central Michigan University
- Lafayette University
And as a senior Math major, you have the opportunity to complete a project that relates mathematics to something you love. Maybe that’s integrating math with another field such as economics or physics, or maybe it’s developing numerical methods to analyze baseball statistics. All of these are possible at Hastings College!
Create your future
See for yourself how we tailor your education to your talents and your goals. Schedule a visit and we’ll demonstrate how Hastings will inspire you to reach your potential, or if you’re a high school senior, apply today.
Go further with a Hastings education
Thanks to our small class sizes (most have fewer than 20 students!), and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, you’ll work closely with faculty and your advisor to complete your degree in four years. In fact, most students who graduate from Hastings do so in four years!
Our block-style semester structure means you’ll take just one or two classes at a time — which really lets you focus more intently on each class. It also lets faculty devote more time to every student because they’re only teaching one or two classes in a block!
Graduate with experience
At Hastings College, Mathematics majors serve one and sometimes two internships or REUs. Some expand their understanding of the world by studying abroad. Many take advantage of additional experiences that help advance career options. What does all this mean? You’ll graduate from Hastings ready to succeed.
Along your path, you’ll appreciate the stepping stones of teaching, counseling, inspiring, supporting and guiding from our engaged faculty. It’s an experience that’s true to Hastings College, and you won’t find it anywhere else.
Your experience matters
Maximize scholarships — Yes, you’ll get an academic scholarship. But you’ll also get a “plus one” scholarship from the group, team or area you’re part of. It’s a great way to help pay for school — but also to find your people.
We’ve thought a lot about the ways students learn and built a four-year plan to help you navigate it all. From finding your place and in Year 1, to showing the world you’re ready for what’s next four years later.
Your transition from college to a career begins your first semester. Every class, internship, research study and activity adds up. We love to celebrate all the ways you shine — your experience matters!
Get involved beyond the mathematics classroom
- Alpha Chi (Academic Honor Society)
In addition to Alpha Chi, there’s always something to do at Hastings. Student clubs, service learning, Greek life, recreation and more make Hastings a great campus for student life.
Find scholarships for mathematics majors
Your high school achievements can both fuel and fund your success at Hastings. We offer a range of generous and renewable academic scholarships based on your GPA. Then there’s “plus one” scholarships — an additional scholarship for participating in anything from athletics to the arts to media (it’s a long list!).
It all adds up to making Hastings an great choice for you and your family.
First employers for recent graduates
- Goldman Sachs
- Toba, Inc.
- Cornhusker Bank
- University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Aurora Cooperative
Faculty
Dr. Bobbi Buchholz
Professor of Mathematics / Chair of the Department
Dr. David Cooke
Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science
Dr. Le Tang
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Success in Mathematics
Hastings College student Lucy Reid highlights the power of numbers in order to gain a deeper understanding during their summer internship at the Scott Data Center in Omaha, Nebraska. “I’ve always been interested in understanding how people are attached to numbers. I want to be able to take and analyze data in a way that […]
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Four Hastings College student-athletes are participating on a collegiate summer baseball team, the Hastings Sodbusters, where their working to gain skills on and off the field. Seniors Markus Miller, Gunnar Pike and Zander Hardy, and recent graduate Tyler Welsh ‘25, are all contributing to the Sodbusters, and all have collegiate experience through the Hastings College […]
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Landing one research experience for undergraduates (REU) is an accomplishment for a student in the sciences. Milly McClure, a senior from Liberal, Kansas, landed four. The physics and mathematics major spent summer 2024 in Texas A&M’s Cyclotron Institute. She helped faculty learn to use a new thermal evaporator—a machine integral to the institute’s research into […]
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This summer, Hastings College senior Shimar Gibson is providing effective solutions and elevating his customer service skills during an internship with Cooperative Producers, Inc. (CPI) in Hastings, Nebraska. Gibson has been working as an information technology intern at CPI. The company’s main focus is offering a wide range of services and products that help farmers […]
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“A teacher’s influence doesn’t stay in school. It goes out into the world and cannot truly ever be measured. Every student you inspire to do something great goes on to inspire others. There is no limit to your impact.” – George Couros By Dr. Bobbi Buchholz ’02, Professor of Mathematics I first met Dr. John […]
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When Lance High of Sanford, Florida, was looking for colleges, he wanted to go to a school where he could get to know professors and everyone knew his name. Hastings College, where class sizes are small and the student to faculty ratio is about 13 to 1, suited him perfectly. He found professors who were […]
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From working with Microsoft Power Apps in the environmental safety department to recoding an old dispatch system, Hastings College junior Caden Egr of Yutan, Nebraska, is fulfilling his passion for coding while gaining experience during his summer internship with Scoular at its global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Scoular is an employee-owned, $9 billion global agribusiness […]
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Kyle Collins, a sophomore at Hastings College from Eleuthera, The Bahamas, said he believes education is an opportunity to seize his dreams and of him understanding concepts better than he previously did, according to an article in The Nassau Guardian. He also believes education is about connecting with people at a deeper level. Collins said […]
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Senior Sammie Worthington set herself up for success with summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Worthington spent two months working with other undergraduate students on Ithaca College’s campus doing mathematical research. During her junior year, Worthington started to consider what she could do over the summer to better prepare for graduate school. She talked with […]
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