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This episode continues my sporadic series on the various fields students may choose to study while in college, today discussing a major in mathematics. My guest is Dr. Francis Su, a professor of Mathematics at the prestigious Harvey Mudd College. Francis is a past president of the Mathematical Association of America, has been featured in Wired and The New York Times, and is the author of the award-winning Mathematics for Human Flourishing.
In this podcast we discuss:
- How Francis first got interested in studying mathematics
- The distinction between mathematics and arithmetic
- How math helps us shape a set of virtues and flourish (vs. approaching math as simply skills)
- Career opportunities for those with a degree in mathematics
- Which character traits indicate you may do well as a math major
- The similarities between mathematics and philosophy
- The similarities between mathematics and music
- Different emphases in the field of mathematics
- How studying mathematics has helped Francis in his spiritual life
- Challenges mathematics has posed to Francis’ faith
- Where he sees ideas in mathematics as consistent with a Christian worldview
- Areas in mathematics Christian students may want to consider pursuing
- Francis’ general advice for all college students
Resources mentioned during our conversation:
- Francis Su, Mathematics for Human Flourishing
- Derek Schuurman’s work on ethics, faith, and technology
- Francis Su’s website
- Francis Su’s article “The Lesson of Grace in Teaching”
