Welcome to the Department of Mathematics

In its more than 100-year history, the Department of Mathematics has solidified its standing as a major player in the nationwide arena of mathematical research and academic scholarship. Currently, the department boasts more than 250 undergraduate majors, 40 graduate students, and more than 50 faculty, of which about one third are postdocs. Our vibrant and close-knit community of a diverse group of scholars and students creates a stimulating and exciting atmosphere for research and study. We excel in several areas of pure and applied mathematics, including approximation theory, biomathematics, combinatorics & graph theory, geometry & topology, group theory, noncommutative geometry & operator algebras, number theory, partial differential equations, and universal algebra.

Long-time professor of mathematics at Santa Clara University (SCU), Gerald L. Alexanderson, died on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. In his 60 years of service to SCU, he played a foundational role in building the Math and Computer Science Department. Mathematics is a powerful and versatile major. Students with degrees in mathematics are highly sought after in a variety of industries because employers know that success in mathematics requires strong problem solving abilities and outstanding analytical skills. Our program offers both a B.S. And B.A, along with a minor.

Department News

Denis Osin Selected as Fellow of the AMS

Nov. 2, 2020—Professor Denis Osin has been selected as a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (AMS). Osin was selected for his contributions in geometric group theory, specifically groups acting on hyperbolic spaces. The Fellows of the AMS designation recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions to the creation, exposition, advancement, communication, and utilization of mathematics. Among...

Edu Math Games

Department of Mathematics Mourns the Passing of Stevenson Chair and Distinguished Professor Vaughan Jones

Sep. 8, 2020—Our dear colleague and friend Vaughan Jones died unexpectedly on September 6. All of us in the department are immensely saddened by this tragic loss. Professor Jones was a prominent and accomplished colleague, extraordinary friend, mentor, and teacher, and we will miss him deeply. When Professor Jones joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University in 2011,...

Department Welcomes Seven New Faculty Members

Sep. 1, 2020—The Department of Mathematics welcomes seven new colleagues this fall. The new group includes one senior lecturer, one lecturer, and five postdoctoral fellows. Senior Lecturer Blane Hollingsworth, received his Ph.D. in 2008 from Auburn University. His areas of interest are stochastic differential equations, probability/measure theory, dynamical systems, and recreational mathematics (game theory, logic). Five new...

New Book on Discrete Energy Optimizes Hardin-Saff Collaboration

New Math Technique

Jan. 17, 2020—Professors Doug Hardin and Ed Saff have published a book that draws on their many years of collaboration in the area of discrete energy and optimal point configurations. Entitled Discrete Energy on Rectifiable Sets, this 670 page opus was co-authored with their former Vanderbilt student Sergiy Borodachov, now a professor at Towson University.