Muhlenberg’s Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics challenges students to work across disciplines, apply their knowledge through hands-on projects, and develop the technical and interpersonal skills to thrive in fields that are growing and evolving rapidly.
Coming into college, Nicolino Berlingeri ’25 knew he was interested in video games and related hardware — he’d built a computer when he was 10 — and finance. However, he had fallen behind in high school math and only completed Algebra II.
“I always liked math, but I was afraid I wasn’t smart enough to do it,” says Berlingeri, now a computer science major and mathematics minor.
At Muhlenberg, he committed himself to learning and found faculty eager to work closely with him — answering questions during office hours, advising him on independent research projects, and coaching him through extracurricular pursuits like the Competitive Programming Team (better known as “Nerd Club”).
This combination of hard work and Muhlenberg’s challenging, supportive environment has paid dividends: Last summer, Berlingeri interned with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, which researches and develops technology related to national security, and he’s been invited to return after graduation. He has also launched two companies: an algorithmic trading firm called Gradient Trading and an AI startup called infoval.ai that aims to transform how people interact with academic research.
“Muhlenberg’s liberal arts environment gave me the ability to branch out a ton and do a lot of different things,” including research projects in finance, computer science, statistics, and neuroscience, he says. “All these different things made me so much smarter and gave me the ability to approach problems from different angles.”
Students in Muhlenberg’s Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics benefit from having all three disciplines (plus an analytics minor) under one umbrella, with faculty who work closely with colleagues and students within and beyond the department to apply their knowledge to real-world problems. For one example, Assistant Professor of Computer Science Hamed Yaghoobian is collaborating with Associate Professor of Film Studies David Romberg on a documentary that employs generative AI technology to allow him to “converse” with his late father. For another, Associate Professor of Statistics Allison Davidson worked with biology major Cole Geissler ’21 and Professor of Biology Rich Niesenbaum to produce a peer-reviewed article on the influence of climate warming on flowering phenology.
Of the department’s three disciplines, computer science currently enjoys the most student interest, with about 20 majors in each graduating class. But statistics could catch up: It became a major only this year in response to student demand, and few peer liberal arts institutions offer a statistics major. Many students in those programs are also mathematics majors or minors; it’s just as common to see a mathematics, computer science, or statistics major with a second major or minor in the humanities, arts, or social sciences.
“Computer science, math, and statistics are strong programs with supportive faculty that allow students to make an impact now while preparing them for life beyond Muhlenberg,” says Provost Laura Furge. “The programs in computer science, math, and statistics are natural partners in interdisciplinary research, blending rigorous analysis with creative exploration.”
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Proyash Podder teaching Software Engineering in fall 2023. Photo by Kristi Morris, Littlewing Studio
Liberal Arts Advantages
Choosing to pursue mathematics, computer science, or statistics at a small liberal arts school like Muhlenberg has many benefits. For one, the small class sizes at the college encourage close relationships between students and faculty that can last throughout and beyond a student’s time on campus. For example, Professor of Mathematics and Department Chair William Gryc recently wrote a dental school recommendation letter for a student he had in Calculus I a few years ago.
“Getting to know our students throughout their four years is a big plus,” Gryc says. “There’s not a layer between us and the students like a TA or something. There’s a collaborative, social aspect that might be missing at a bigger institution.”
Small classes also enable hands-on learning. Davidson notes that every statistics course includes projects that demonstrate the real-world applications of the discipline and that students are encouraged to choose topics that interest them for those projects. Assistant Professor of Computer Science Proyash Podder, himself a product of large research universities, finds that students learn best when they are asked to apply a concept to a problem as he’s teaching it.
“Computer science is not a subject that works well with just theory alone. It’s best taught in a way where you blend the theory with the practical applications,” he says. “This kind of active learning approach helps reinforce the materials. Students are applying what they’re learning versus memorizing it. It’s an opportunity you’ll only get in a liberal arts environment.”
Additionally, Muhlenberg fosters interdisciplinarity, a key aspect of all three fields in the department. Mathematics underpins fields like accounting, business, economics, and finance. Fields like public health and psychology rely heavily on statistical analyses to interpret real-world trends and research findings. Computer scientists can apply their knowledge and techniques toward problems in all kinds of fields, from the sciences to the social sciences to the humanities and arts.
“You’re not just learning to code but thinking about how computer science interacts with other areas, like philosophy, psychology, economics, business. This interdisciplinary approach helps you to see the bigger picture, to apply technical skills in meaningful ways,” Podder says. “Our students have a holistic development, which makes them better prepared for their next journey.”
Muhlenberg students also learn to communicate about their fields of expertise in a way that will make sense to non-experts. It takes place in class, where students are expected to present their work, and at conferences, where students may present to a broader audience. Berlingeri honed this skill as a tutor for the Academic Resource Center and has used it often as he’s launched his startups.
“If you’re going into industry or any field, you’re going to have to talk about your work to either peers or to someone who might be an executive who doesn’t have the same technical training as you do,” Gryc says. “I understand it for myself — now how can I translate it so others can understand me? Being able to communicate is key.”
“This kind of active learning approach helps reinforce the materials. Students are applying what they’re learning versus memorizing it. It’s an opportunity you’ll only get in a liberal arts environment.”
— Assistant Professor of Computer Science Proyash Podder
Associate Professor of Statistics Allison Davidson teaching Data Visualization in fall 2023. Photo by Kristi Morris, Littlewing Studio
What Sets Muhlenberg Apart
“Finding and reading other research is a key skill students get out of [research]. Hitting roadblocks and not having a defined answer is another one. What do you do when there isn’t a nice, clean answer?”
— Associate Professor of Statistics Allison Davidson
Unique to Muhlenberg is the wide spectrum of electives in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics. When Gryc arrived in 2010, he was pleased to discover the range of advanced electives in both applied and pure mathematics available for students to sample. Data Visualization and Predictive Statistics are two statistics courses not often seen at liberal arts schools nor at the undergraduate level, Davidson says.
Unique coursework extends to lower-level courses meant to attract both majors and non-majors. For example, Truman Koehler Professor of Mathematics Linda McGuire teaches Mathematics for Social Justice, a course that analyzes how mathematics moves through different societal structures and how power dynamics in such situations are often invisible or opaque. One example is predictive policing, in which computer systems analyze data to determine where to deploy police or how to identify people who might be “more likely” to commit a crime.
“The thing about mathematics and science is that they often fall under this umbrella of what we call ‘objectivity’ — this notion that you can divorce yourself from certain complexities of society and focus on logical structures,” McGuire says. “There are certainly elements of that in mathematics, but these disciplines don’t exist in vacuums. Students who like to focus on the technical need to think carefully about the impacts that technology has on societal structures, and that way, they have the tools they might need to effect change.”
Because of the small size and the close-knit nature of the department, faculty are able to be nimble and responsive to student and industry interests. In computer science specifically, faculty are continuously working to adapt the curriculum to reflect the skills employers are looking for. Since Podder’s arrival in 2023, the department has introduced courses in cyber-security, machine learning, and web software development.
“Computer science is a constantly evolving field,” Podder says. “If we want our students to be truly prepared, we have to evolve with it.”
In 2020, Muhlenberg launched a master’s degree program in applied analytics through the School of Graduate Studies. Market research indicated that businesses and government agencies were looking for employees with the ability to find critical patterns within datasets, create descriptive data summaries and visualizations, and tell powerful stories with data analytics. A 4+1 program provides a pathway for Muhlenberg students working toward their bachelor’s degree to complete the master’s program in one year instead of two. Several students who have completed majors or minors within the department have gone on to pursue this master’s degree, with graduates employed in the insurance industry, the energy industry, and higher education, among other fields.
Professor of Mathematics and Department Chair William Gryc teaching Calculus III in fall 2024. Photo by Kristi Morris, Littlewing Studio
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Students in mathematics, computer science, and statistics have ample opportunities to apply their learning beyond a traditional classroom setting. Independent research is encouraged and can be used to complete the capstone course in both mathematics and statistics. Computer science students are now required to conduct research as part of the capstone, including completing a literature review and reading and analyzing papers. This relatively new requirement is meant to give students an advantage whether they intend to enter the workforce or pursue graduate school.
“Finding and reading other research is a key skill students get out of this. Hitting roadblocks and not having a defined answer is another one. What do you do when there isn’t a nice, clean answer?” Davidson asks. “For statistics, students learn where to get data, how to clean it, how to deal with really messy data, and how to communicate what they find.”
The department sponsors a colloquium series that, each semester, invites an outside speaker to discuss the application of one of the disciplines. Last fall, a government employee came to talk about the census. Other semesters have seen local professors stop by to discuss their research. The Math Club, a student organization, hosts a Back to ’Berg event each fall that brings department alumni back to campus (in person or virtually) to discuss their postgraduate outcomes. Last semester’s guests included an insurance actuary, a high school math teacher, and a software engineer.
Amanda Rosten ’25, a psychology major with minors in statistics and public health, got involved with the Math Club after discovering an interest in and affinity for statistics in her first semester. There, she connected with a student who was relaunching the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) after a hiatus due to COVID-19. Rosten, now president of AWM, is helping bring a speaker to campus this spring.
“I never expected I would be this involved in math,” says Rosten, who intends to pursue graduate school to study school psychology. “A lot of people in psychology don’t like math or statistics. It’s a unique perspective I bring to the psychology world, being interested in this.”
Student organizations in computer science include the Computer Science Society, which has held information sessions for students interested in pursuing the discipline and a tech resume writing event, as well as the aforementioned “Nerd Club.” The club meets weekly to discuss an algorithm not covered in class and to solve a problem from LeetCode, an online platform that also provides problems applicants must solve in computer science job interviews. Once a semester, the team travels to a regional competition to face off against other schools, and it has done well: It took first place at the spring 2023 Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, Northeastern Region programming contest. It was the second consecutive win and the third since 2019 for a Muhlenberg team.
“The greatest way to get good at coding is to join Nerd Club,” Berlingeri says. “It makes coding more competitive. I wasn’t learning for myself but learning to beat other people in competitions. You get to travel and meet so many cool people outside our school.”
There are also opportunities for students in mathematics, statistics, and computer science to get involved in more interdisciplinary clubs. For example, the Investment Society allows students to manage $1 million of the college’s endowment. Berlingeri, who spent a summer as a quantitative macro investment intern at Cinctive Capital Management, began a “quant” side of the club to bring computer science principles to students outside the discipline.
“The only difference in the understanding of a quant versus a finance person is the ability to code and a deep understanding of math,” says Berlingeri, the current president of the Investment Society. “I’ve always been a person who likes to get down to the principles of how something works, and almost everything [in finance] is based on math.”
“In our department, we develop and hone [quantitative] skills, challenging our students with independent projects and research while providing them with personalized support and guidance. Our graduates have had a lot of success. … the future for our students is bright.”
— Professor of Mathematics and Department Chair William Gryc
Students in Data Visualization in fall 2023. Photo by Kristi Morris, Littlewing Studio
Planning for the Future
The Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics is supporting a surge of student interest and adapting to student needs. In addition to adding statistics as a major this year, the college is updating and renovating the computer science lab in the Peter S. Trumbower Science Building to add state-of-the-art, high-performance computing equipment to support the influx of computer science majors. The common area in the department’s suite of offices is also getting a makeover to become a more inviting, social, and interactive space. Meanwhile, graduates of the department are finding success in a wide variety of fields.
“I think it’s always mysterious what one does with a math degree,” says Gryc, who brings a handout on careers for math majors to present to prospective students and their families at open houses. The handout includes many professions Muhlenberg graduates have gone into, including data analyst, financial analyst, and technology consultant. Many computer science students are interested in software development roles, Podder says, and those roles are proliferating: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 17.9% growth in employment for software developers between 2023 and 2033.
Davidson notes that many students with minors in statistics have gone on to graduate school for other disciplines, including public health, psychology, and biostatistics. There are also many jobs students can get without an advanced degree or specialized training. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for statisticians will grow 30% over the next decade, a much faster rate than the average rate of growth for all fields.
“Quantitative skills are becoming more and more important in this world,” Gryc says. “In our department, we develop and hone these skills, challenging our students with independent projects and research while providing them with personalized support and guidance. Our graduates have had a lot of success, and with our curriculum evolving and facilities expanding, the future for our students is bright.”
How Muhlenberg Shaped Me
Three alumni share how their experience with the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics led to successful outcomes after graduation.
Meredith Jones ’19 Machine Learning Engineer at Datalytica
“After graduating from Muhlenberg, I pursued a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, focusing on developing machine learning techniques for breast cancer detection. I always knew I wanted to go into cancer research, but my introduction to AI in Muhlenberg’s computer science department sparked my passion for the field and significantly influenced my research direction. The faculty’s willingness to help and their availability outside of class set the department apart. This kind of close mentorship and support is rare at many universities.”
Bryan McComb ’14 Associate Director of Biostatistics at Pfizer
“Communication has been one of the most underrated but essential skills in my career. As you progress in any field, you quickly realize that everyone around you has a similar technical skill set. What sets you apart is your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, whether it’s presenting statistical findings to non-statisticians, collaborating across teams, or leading projects. One moment that stands out in hindsight was writing an essay in my Combinatorics and Graph Theory course. At the time, it seemed unusual to have a written component in a math-heavy class, but in retrospect, it was an invaluable exercise in articulating mathematical concepts in a structured and persuasive way — something I now do regularly in my professional life.”
Jordan Wells ’22 Data Engineer at Bloomberg LP
“The most beneficial aspect of my Muhlenberg experience was the well-rounded curriculum that aided in developing a wide variety of skills that I’ve been able to leverage in my day-to-day and build upon to help me progress through my career. The thing that stands out to me about the faculty at Muhlenberg and the math and computer science department specifically is how much they genuinely care about the success of their students and how far they will go to ensure their students develop real-world, practical knowledge and skills.”
Zachary Mannheimer ’99, a theatre and philosophy double major, is founder and board chair of Alquist 3D, a company that 3D prints commercial and residential buildings.
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