Mission and Student Learning Outcomes - Mathematics Department - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo * Skip to Content * ? * Current Students * Prospective Students * Parents * Business Community * Faculty & Staff * Alumni my CalPoly login * Quick Links * Catalog Info * Course Outlines * Courses by Qtr * Events * Dept. Directory * Office Hours * Recruitment * Tutoring * Courses by Semester * Contact * Maps * * Mathematics Department Bailey College of Science & Mathematics * Home * About Us * Degree Programs * Prospective Students * Current Students * Giving * For Faculty & Staff * Directory Home : Mission and Student Learning Outcomes About Us * Mission and Student Learning Outcomes * Directory * Faculty Office Hours (pdf) * Faculty Research Interests * Colloquium & Seminar Schedules * Recruitment * Current Newsletter * Newsletter Archives * Contact Us Website Update * Submit Update Request Mission and Student Learning Outcomes Mission and Goals Students majoring in mathematics will understand and be able to apply the concepts and techniques that are foundational to contemporary mathematics. They will have an appreciation of mathematics, its history, and its role in the modern world. They will be able to formulate mathematical models and use appropriate methods in the analysis of these models. They will demonstrate skills appropriate for careers in teaching, business and industry or for further study in mathematics at the graduate level. Student Learning Outcomes Mathematics majors should: * Understand the nature of mathematical proof and be able to write clear and concise proofs. * Develop the ability to read, understand, and use basic definitions in linear and abstract algebra and real analysis, and be able to prove simple consequences of these definitions. * Be able to use standard mathematical techniques to solve elementary problems. * Be able to communicate effectively in oral and written form. * Be able to write simple computer programs to perform mathematical computations. * Gain experience exploring open-ended problems, learn to make conjectures, and gather evidence to support or refute these conjectures. * Develop the ability to read and to learn mathematics independently. * Learn about applications of mathematics in other fields and gain experience in mathematical modeling. Related Content Support Learn by Doing Support Learn by Doing CONNECT WITH CAL POLY   * CP Home * Directory * Campus Maps & Directions * University Store * Calendar * Employment * Campus Policies * Contact Us * Privacy Notice * Web Accessibility Statement * Title IX © 2026 California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California 93407 Phone: 805-756-1111