Heather Elfen, Ph.D.
Department Head, Mathematics
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Department Head, Mathematics
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics builds problem-solving and decision-making skills valued by employers across a variety of sectors. The Department of Mathematics prepares students for success using advanced mathematical techniques and principles in finance, insurance, and data and statistical analysis.
The B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Financial Mathematics prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers in the financial services industry and other jobs requiring a combination of strong financial and quantitative skills. Faculty members are specialists in their areas of expertise, and all have related work experience as practitioners in the field, giving students a competitive edge in their careers.
The B.S. in Statistics and Data Science prepares students for a rewarding career as a data scientist or statistician. Organizations in all fields utilize large data sets to help them make important decisions. For example, pharmaceutical companies analyze data in the process of developing and testing new drugs, retailers analyze consumer spending patterns to decide what products to sell and to better target their marketing efforts, and pro sports teams use predictive analytics to evaluate players’ value and optimize their performance.
RMU's B.S. in Actuarial Science is an internationally recognized program that prepares students for successful and rewarding careers as actuaries. Recognized by the Society of Actuaries as one of only 19 Centers of Actuarial Excellence in the country, RMU places a priority on professional certification exams, with curriculum that integrates the mathematical foundations of actuarial science with intensive business education and communication skills.