Mathematics and Social Sciences

Professors J. L. Campbell (Sociology), P. C. Christesen (Classics), T. H. Cormen (Computer Science), E. Demidenko (Medical School), B. Duncan (German), E. V. Edmonds (Economics), A. J. Friedland (Environmental Studies), D. P. Lacy (Government), J. H. Levine (Mathematics and Social Sciences), L. Polansky (Music), D. Rockmore (Mathematics, Computer Science), B. I. Sacerdote (Economics), C. M. Snyder (Economics); Associate Professors S. R. Craig (Anthropology), S. D. Pauls (Mathematics), S. W. Smith (Computer Science); Assistant Professors S. D. Dobson (Anthropology); Senior Lecturer J. F. Pfister (Psychological and Brain Sciences); Professors Emeriti H. S. Alverson (Anthropology), K. A. Korey (Anthropology), R. D. Masters (Government), R. Z. Norman (Mathematics and Social Sciences).

Mathematics and Social Sciences (MSS) is an undergraduate honors major combining mathematical training with one or more of the social sciences. From the social sciences, MSS is for students interested in Anthropology, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Political Science, or Sociology, as a quantitative science. From mathematics, MSS is for students interested in statistics, data analysis, mathematics, or computer sciences directed toward application in social science.

The Major in Mathematics and Social Sciences

Prerequisite: Honors standing (described in the Regulations section of this catalog) and MATH 13 (or, with permission, MATH 3 or equivalent), plus introductory work in several social sciences; or permission.

Minimum Requirements: 1 ) Four (non-introductory) courses in Mathematics or Computer Science, including Mathematics 36; 2) Four (non-introductory) courses in one social science area. The four courses should form a coherent whole, although they need not fall within the same social science department; 3) Two additional courses, including one or more of the courses offered by the Program, to be approved by the Program committee; 4) Completion of a senior thesis, which may be done under the course Topics in Mathematics and Social Sciences, Mathematics and Social Sciences 88.

Where needed topics are not available in the existing curriculum, students may petition for special study under Mathematics and Social Sciences 88. Mathematics and Social Sciences 88 may be taken for credit more than once.

For further details, consult the Program Chair.

See Mathematics and Social Sciences courses

We call attention to the following courses which include some of the more quantitative and mathematical courses in the curriculum of various social science disciplines: ANTH 41--Human Evolution, ENGS 18--Principles of System Dynamics, ENGS 52--Introduction to Operations Research, Philosophy 27--Philosophy of Science, Psychology 021--Perception, Psychology 28--Cognition.  Also, Economics courses are quantitative in nature and the advanced sequential courses quite highly so.  Mathematics and Social Sciences students are encouraged to speak with the professors of the courses that are of substantive interest to the student in order to ascertain whether the mix of quantitative technique and substantive economic issues is right for the student.