Mathematics

About us

The Department of Mathematics at Indiana University East serves the campus by providing General Education courses in mathematics in both online and face-to-face teaching modalities. Through its online degree programs, the department serves a large student body who are seeking a B.S., B.A., certificates or an M.A.T. in Mathematics.

We serve students who:

  • reside locally, or on the other side of the globe;
  • are active duty military;
  • are seeking their first college degree;
  • are pursuing our degree to complement a previously earned one;
  • want to use mathematics to start their career;
  • want to use mathematics to advance their professional or teaching career;
  • enjoy mathematics for its intrinsic beauty.

Our faculty are accomplished scholars, who are committed to providing excellent online instruction to students from a variety of walks of life. The department prides itself in connecting this culturally and economically diverse, global group of students to our community of scholars and learners. 

The Department of Mathematics aspires to be the online program of choice in mathematics, nationally, for students who wish to earn an undergraduate degree in mathematics. It will offer attractive and effective classes, as well as cohesive online programs, for first-time degree seekers or for mid-career professionals. The program fosters a community of learners who set common goals, communicate with one another, engage in grant-funded undergraduate research experiences and participate in student clubs, and other activities. The faculty will be recognized for their scholarly work. The program will be recognized externally through national rating agencies. A significant proportion of our classes will be QM certified, and faculty will be recognized internally through teaching awards. Alumni of our program will speak favorably of their experience and will readily share their insights with current students.

The Mathematics Department at IU East is dedicated to fostering student success through a rigorous and flexible online learning experience. Success in our program means being prepared to tackle complex problems, drive innovation, and excel in an increasingly competitive and data-centric world.

Successful alumni leverage their coursework to advance in their current careers, transition into new ones, or pursue further studies in graduate programs. The skills gained through our program are highly sought after in fields such as finance, technology, actuarial science, engineering, and research. Completing our mathematics program enhances students’ theoretical and applied knowledge, strengthens their professional credentials, and opens doors to career advancement and new opportunities worldwide.

Success in our program means more than just mastering mathematical concepts; it involves developing critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and analytical problem-solving skills that are essential in today's data-driven world. Our students thrive by engaging deeply with advanced mathematical theories and applying them to real-world challenges, preparing them for impactful careers. Our graduates are able to work individually and collaborate in teams. They communicate ideas effectively though active listening, speaking and writing.

Whether pursuing roles in academia, industry, or government, our graduates leave IU East equipped with the mathematical expertise needed to make meaningful contributions.

Academic programs fully online

Our department is proud to provide a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, all delivered fully online. We offer a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical depth with practical application.

Undergraduate programs

This program serves as a foundation for a variety of careers in industry or academia by emphasizing a balance of theoretical proofs, modeling, and applied mathematics.

What you will learn: You will master advanced techniques in integration and differentiation for functions of one or several variables while developing the ability to create and analyze mathematical models. Additionally, you will use foundational proof techniques to solve complex questions in algebra and real analysis.

Designed for students interested in risk assessment and financial modeling, this program is specifically built to align with professional certification standards.

What you will learn: You will utilize multivariate calculus and advanced statistical tools to solve computational problems related to probability and risk.

The curriculum provides targeted preparation for the initial professional Society of Actuaries (SOA) examinations, specifically Exam P (Probability) and Exam FM (Financial Mathematics).

This degree focuses on the critical analysis and interpretation of data, a skill highly sought after in today’s data-driven industries.

What you will learn: You will build a strong mathematical foundation in areas like linear algebra and modeling to support complex statistical analysis. You will also learn to effectively communicate high-level data analytics to both technical and non-technical audiences.

This liberal arts-focused program provides a broad overview of mathematical goals and methods while emphasizing the historical development of the discipline.

What you will learn: You will apply standard algorithms to solve optimization and other applied problems across various settings. You will also explore and describe the significant contributions to mathematics from different cultures throughout history.

Graduate and accelerated programs

IU East offers a unique, streamlined path for high-achieving students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in actuarial science in a shorter timeframe.

This accelerated program allows students to begin graduate-level coursework early, maximizing career momentum and reducing the time to degree completion.

This advanced degree prepares students for leadership roles in the actuarial profession by focusing on advanced risk modeling and predictive analytics.

What you will learn: You will learn to evaluate complex financial risks and select appropriate tools to calculate the value of pensions, annuities, and insurance instruments.

The coursework provides advanced preparation for several SOA professional exams, including FAM, SRM, ALTAM, and ASTAM.

Specifically designed for current educators, this program provides the graduate-level credentials needed to teach dual-enrollment and college-level courses.

What you will learn: You will deepen your professional mastery of advanced mathematical concepts in core areas such as algebra, analysis, and topology.

The curriculum also focuses on preparing you to effectively communicate high-level mathematical information to your peers and students.

This certificate is ideal for those who need to complete 18 graduate credit hours in mathematics to meet professional accreditation standards.

What you will learn: You will gain graduate-level knowledge in key mathematical domains, aligning your skills with the requirements for teaching at the college level.

You will also be able to demonstrate the ability to solve problems and improve practice within the field through critical and creative thinking.

The online experience: Student-centered and collaborative

At IU East, “online” does not mean “on your own.” Our programs are built on the principle that mathematics is best learned through dialogue, peer collaboration, and direct mentorship.

To ensure high-quality interaction and deep learning, we intentionally keep our class sizes small. In our upper-level mathematics courses, enrollment is typically limited to 25–30 students. This allows your professor to know you by name, provide detailed feedback, and facilitate meaningful group discussions.

Students work together with their classmates and their professors through interactive discussion forums, shared problem-solving sessions, and collaborative projects. Our faculty are active participants in the online classroom, guiding you through complex proofs and applications in a community-driven atmosphere.

To provide an extra layer of support, select classes feature student assistants—peers who have excelled in the course previously. These assistants host extra study sessions and virtual office hours, providing a comfortable space for you to ask questions and master difficult concepts.

Our community extends beyond the syllabus. The Virtual Math Student Lounge is a dedicated online space where students gather to network, share career resources, and socialize. It serves as the 'heart' of our online department, ensuring distance learners have a true sense of belonging.

Online co-curriculum and engagement

All co-curricular activities are accessible online, ensuring that distance learners are fully integrated into the academic life of the department.

The Math Student Club is a student-led space where you can build lasting relationships with peers across the country through regular meetings, coursework discussions, and social hours.

Exceptional students are eligible for induction into the Pi Mu Epsilon Indiana Iota Chapter, our local branch of the national mathematics honor society, recognizing scholarly achievement.

We host regular online speaker events featuring professionals from various mathematical backgrounds, allowing you to ask questions about the job market and internships directly to experts.

Student success and alumni outcomes

Meet one of our recent graduates: Jordan chose IU East because it was ranked No. 1 in the nation for online mathematics. As a professional track-and-field athlete, she required a reputable, flexible online institution.

Jordan authored three publications while an undergraduate, including a co-authored study in Discover Education. Her research led to a 2025 summer internship with the U.S. Department of Energy, earning her a certification in Quantum Information Science. Jordan is currently pursuing dual graduate credentials at the University of Connecticut and plans to earn her doctorate in engineering.

I'm so glad I endured each challenge because IUE’s math program prepared me for more than I could imagine. I am ready to enter any arena, whether it’s academia, business, government, or community.

Jordan Norwood, B.S. Mathematics, 2025