College of Arts and Sciences

Mathematics

ApplyVisitGive to the College
Rubik's Cube

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Mathematics

Mathematics is everyone's skeleton key to worlds of opportunity

Mathematics at USD unlocks the mental potential to succeed in nearly every endeavor, including career paths ranging from science and technology to art and business. Mathematics is an infinite playground, filled with breathtakingly beautiful ideas and profound mysteries around every corner, waiting to be discovered.

Our department strives to cultivate a welcoming community where anyone can play with mathematics. We believe that all students have the potential to engage with math and are here to provide support along your math journey. Our faculty are excited to join you as you discover all that math has to offer.

Background image for container

Program

Explore Curriculum

Want to enroll in a math course?

All students interested in taking a math course at USD are required to take the Math Placement Exam.

Learn more and take the Math Placement Exam

Declare a Math Major

Our Math Playground

Getting Involved

Our Playful Community

USD's Mathematics Department is a community of students, faculty and staff who are deeply invested in creativity, critical thinking and care for one another. There are many ways we support the development of students and a variety of ways to get involved with us.

Our Impact

Manifesting with Math

Conceived in 2018 by Professors Devadoss and Hoffoss, the sculpture Unfolding Humanity highlights unsolved questions in math and cosmology, igniting a sense of wonder and curiosity. This project was the spark that inspired Dr. Hoffoss and three USD faculty colleagues to form the interdisciplinary ArtBuilds Collective, a collaborative team of faculty, students, alumni and the San Diego community that creates new math-inspired art installations annually for Burning Man and beyond.

Explore Student Research OpportunitiesGet InvolvedOur Impact
Background image for container

Explore a Major

Why Choose Mathematics at USD?

Hear from a few of our majors about why they love USD Math!

Learn more

What Math Isn't

5 Math Myths Busted

A Welcoming Playground for All

Explore Our Menu of Courses

Background image for container

Paving Your Way With Math

Hear From Our Math Community

Jonny Kim, '12

NASA Astronaut

"I remember spending many hours in office hours just going through a lot of complex math problems--just really good memories and kind of forming the foundation of my academic career." Before he was an astronaut, Jonny Kim had a few other jobs. He was a Navy Seal, a Harvard-trained physician ... and he even handed out parking citations at the University of San Diego.

Read about his current missionWatch the video

Sara Vanaki, '23

PhD Student at Rice University, Electrical and Computer Engineering

"Being a math major at USD helped build the foundation for me to succeed in my engineering based classes at Rice. A lot of my classes are proof based, so it helped that I had practiced this over the past 4 years at USD."

Read more

Lila Fowler

Math Major and 2024 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar

“My professors are engaged in their own fields and deeply invested in bringing students into the fold. I learn by asking questions, and at USD I am always pushed to keep looking for answers.”

Read more

Nancy Rodriguez, '07

Applied Math Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder

"Take as many classes as you can even if they are not required, you never know when you might fall in love with a subject. Also, try doing research to see if the academic life is for you."

Your Career Options

Where USD Math Grads Work

Below are just a few places where recent USD Math grads have gone.

Explore Math Careers

News and Events

What's happening in mathematics

Pay It Forward

Support USD Mathematics

Make a Gift