Newspaper Article

May 16, 2023 By bacw Leave a Comment

The Breakdown of the Mathematics Major

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer Tim Shar

Want to understand the beauty of the world around you and challenge yourself through mathematical formulas to understand this beauty? Belmont Abbey College Mathematics Major will provide you with critical analysis tools to help you understand the beauty of the physical world, such as the U.S. Capitol’s dome and the Gateway Arc.

Not only will it help you understand the physical world, but it will also help you develop analytical skills, such as critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. In math classes, you will learn to break down a complicated problem into a series of manageable steps and solve the problem step by step. For example, math classes such as Discrete Math and Real Analysis will help you with your reasoning skills and teach you to analyze problems. The math courses offered here at the Abbey also provide great opportunities for you to minor in Computer Science and a concentration in Physics since many of the classes overlap

Note that not every class is offered every semester:

B.A. in Mathematics

Major Requirements:

MA 201: Calculus I
MA 202: Calculus II
MA 203: Calculus III
MA 208: Statistics
MA 222: Discrete Mathematics
MA 311: Elementary Linear Algebra
MA 321: Differential Equations
MA 419: Modern Algebra
MA 430: Real Analysis
MA 490: Senior Seminar I

Any one of the following:

MA 235: History of Mathematics
MA 305: Advanced Statistics
MA 335: Advanced Calculus
MA 340: Numerical Analysis
MA 350: Probability
MA 405: Topology
MA 410: Elementary Number Theory
MA 415: Partial Differential Equations
MA 491: Senior Seminar II
CS 234: Introduction to C++
CS 325: Logic and Algorithms

Other Courses: General Elective hours (33-36 hours)

B.S. In Mathematics

Major Requirements:

MA 201: Calculus I
MA 202: Calculus II
MA 203: Calculus III
MA 208: Statistics
MA 222: Discrete Mathematics
MA 311: Elementary Linear Algebra
MA 321: Differential Equations
MA 419: Modern Algebra
MA 430: Real Analysis
MA 490: Senior Seminar I
MA 491: Senior seminar II
CS 234: Introduction to C++

Any two from among the following:

MA 235: History of Mathematics
MA 305: Advanced Statistics
MA 335: Advance Calculus
MA 340: Numerical Analysis
MA 350:Probability
MA 405: Topology
MA 410: Elementary Number Theory
MA 415: Partial Differential Equations
MA 420: Geometry
MA 435 Complex Analysis
CS 235: Logic and Algorithms

Other Courses: Students need to complete one of the following course combinations to meet the remainder of the 120 hours required for the degree:

PY 201 with PY 202 and 22-25 hours of General Electives
CH 105 and CH 106 with 22-25 hours of General Electives
Two lab-based Biology courses at the 200 level or higher with 22-25 hours of General Electives
CS 201 and CS 234 with 23-26 hours of General Elective

With a mathematics major, I am able to pursue a minor in Computer Science and a concentration in Physics. With a math degree, I plan to go into teaching and then into Architecture. Besides pursuing a career in education and architecture, you can also pursue a career in Accounting, Data Analyst, Finance, Engineering, Mathematics, and many other careers.

This article was originally posted in the Spring 2023, Issue 3 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.

May 16, 2023 By bacw Leave a Comment

Biology Major

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer Christina Villanueva

The biology department is constantly striving to have a wider scope of subjects for new students and keep a rigorous course load. In the science building there is always a lot going on, from mixing chemical components to dissecting a sheep’s brain. While this can be sometimes overwhelming for new students pursuing a science degree, there is more to the biology department than just the building.

For a new biology major, a biology major sounds intriguing as well as demanding, and this is nothing but correct. From freshman year biology 101 to a senior anatomy class, the professors make sure the student is ready for any profession or graduate school the student might want to pursue. Accompanied with the lecture classes are laboratories once a week, this provides a hands on experience to apply the knowledge learned in lecture. There is also a wide range of classes so students can expand their interest in science. There are classes like ecology and environmental science to learn about the natural world. Some of my favorite classes included parasitology and embryology to understand life on a microscopic level and then apply it in relation to epidemiology.

With all of these levels of classes, there must be a support team of professors in charge of it all. The professors and advisors in the biology department are one of a kind. They are focused on the students learning to make sure they understand all the material. They make themselves available for students to ask questions as well as having a small class size so a student does not feel lost. They are also experts in their field giving them a wide range of knowledge in the classes they are teaching. With this combined effort of the professors as advisors and educators, students graduating from a field in biology will be fully prepared for the future after the Abbey. If interested in learning more about the biology department, contact the Chair Dr. Ayala at heatherayala@bac.edu.

This article was originally posted in the Spring 2023, Issue 3 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.

May 16, 2023 By bacw Leave a Comment

Spring at the Abbey

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer Regan Cullen

As the 2022-23 school year comes to a close, the warm weather starts ringing in. There is no time like the springtime at Belmont Abbey College. When I start to see sweaters, jeans, and boots are being replaced with shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops, I know it’s time the campus has ended its hibernation.

Once temperatures reach above the 70s, students begin to migrate outside, as the picnic tables around campus are always occupied with peers talking or doing homework together. As much as I love the Abbey’s campus, it can feel a little empty and lonely during the winters, as students don’t often leave the dorms unless going to the cafeteria or class.

When spring rolls around, I find it comforting to walk around and see people enjoying the nice weather while doing homework, eating, or walking a campus loop. Warm weather also means more spectators and student turnouts for sports events. Lacrosse games during the spring are always filled with students lined up along the fences, or the baseball bleachers are packed during a home match. Alumni weekend is also coming up for many sports, meaning campus will be buzzing with life and lots of fun activities. Students are minutes away from downtown Belmont, which offers local events all of April, including a farmers’ market and movies in the park all of April.

There is no better time to be a crusader on Belmont Abbey’s campus than during the spring. With the excitement of summer break rolling around, the vibes around campus are always high. Along with students and activities causing a lively campus atmosphere, nature begins to bloom with beautiful flowers, making the outdoors and campus grounds even more contagious.

This article was originally posted in the Spring 2023, Issue 3 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.

May 16, 2023 By bacw Leave a Comment

The Success of Sacraments and Supper

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer Emily Nagel

The Catholic community at Belmont Abbey College is not hard to come by. There are numerous Catholic students on campus who are involved in several Catholic events on campus who do their best to welcome others in. Although it can be difficult to know where and how to get started, there is a club designed to help students do so. Belmont Abbey Catholic students started the “Sacraments and Supper” club for this specific reason.

For those who do not know, “Sacraments and Supper” is a club run by Catholic students lead by Regina Vehige for any students who want to get involved with the Catholic community. The next gathering will be an ice cream party held on May 1st in the quad at 6pm before the Student 7:30pm Mass.

Next fall, the club will meet at 5:30pm in the Alumni House. Supper is served promptly after everyone gathers for prayer. Those who are available then head to the 7:30pm mass in St. Joseph’s Chapel on campus for the sacrament part of the club.

To keep the club running, everyone helps pitch in, however they can. Some members help prepare meals, cook the food, take pictures of the event, lead prayer, or even help take down after the event. The “Sacraments and Supper” club prioritizes community and unity. The students understand the value of service and helping lead those closer into a relationship with Christ. They do this through communion with others and by providing delicious food.

The beautiful thing about the club is that anyone and everyone is welcome to partake in the community and supper being served. The club was created to offer those searching for a rich community and meaningful relationships that very thing. As a student on campus, it can oftentimes be overwhelming and difficult to find a place to meet various Catholics.

After speaking about the benefits of the club with Belmont Abbey freshman, Mary Bruck, she states, “It’s helped me find a Catholic community and rest in the comfort of building strong relationships through Christ.” “Sacraments and Supper” offers all who are looking, like Mary, a place to dive deeper into the Catholic community flourishing on campus. The club offers those an opportunity to immerse themselves into Catholic college life, meet new people with similar values, and eat a delicious home cooked meal while they’re at it.

This article was originally posted in the Spring 2023, Issue 3 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.

May 15, 2023 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

New Coordinator of Career Services

Author: The Crusader Jessica Palermo

Hi, my name is Jessica Palermo, and I started at Belmont Abbey as a Coordinator of Career Services in December 2022. I graduated from Western Carolina University with a BS in Psychology and a BS in Criminal Justice & Criminology. After college, my path was still unclear, but I knew I was meant to work in a position that allowed me to help others. It was that passion that quickly led me into the “education world.” It wasn’t long before I completed North Carolina’s Lateral Entry Teaching Program and taught 4th grade in Gaston County, later moving into a position as the Afterschool/Summer Program Director at Gaston Day School. I have enjoyed helping Belmont Abbey students and alumni navigate their career journeys over the past few months and look forward to supporting many others!

This article was originally posted in the Spring 2023, Issue 3 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.