What's happening in math?

Why study math?

Why Is Math Important?

Video:  Why Is Math Important?

The GVSU Mathematics Department and Math Major

Video:  The GVSU Mathematics Department and Math Major

Who are we?

The Mathematics Department at Grand Valley State University serves over 200 majors and 8000 students annually in its classes. Our students are actively engaged in learning through small classes that emphasize critical thinking, creative problem-solving, effective communication, and a high degree of faculty support.

The Mathematics Department offers a major (BS or BA) in Mathematics as well as a Mathematics minor. There are three emphases within the Mathematics major: Secondary Certification, Theoretical Emphasis, and Applied Emphasis. The Elementary Certification emphasis is sunset starting in the 21-22 catalog; visit the Elementary Emphasis page for details. These teaching emphases have been awarded National Recognition status (recognized through 2027) by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) / Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Many of our majors participate in extracurricular mathematics-related activities, including tutoring in local schools, tutoring in our own Math Center, participating in the GVSU Math & Stats Club, studying abroad, undergraduate research, attending Research Experience for Undergraduates programs, and other opportunities in math. Our alumni are engaged in a wide array of exciting endeavors and rewarding careers.

Our faculty excel at both teaching and scholarship. Department faculty have authored numerous publications in mathematics and mathematics education and have won prestigious teaching awards. Student learning is at the heart of all our faculty activities, whether it is conducting research with undergraduates or developing innovative teaching methods to help students learn.

See our teaching emphases program standards, student outcomes, and strategic plan for information about our programs.

We are a unit of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Click through the menu items for more information, and please feel free to contact us for more information.


We are located in A-2-178 Mackinac Hall.

Give Today

Please consider a gift to the new Mathematics Student Research Endowment, which supports research and other student scholarly pursuits, like travel to professional conferences, for students majoring in mathematics.



Page last modified October 16, 2023