Our primary purpose is to provide an excellent education for all students. As one of the traditional academic disciplines, mathematics is deeply rooted in the liberal arts education and is the backbone for many areas of study, including Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Professional Schools. In filling many roles at PLU, the Department of Mathematics serves a diverse group of students. It nurtures all liberal arts students, gives a solid foundation to the science students, provides the tools needed to the professional students, and cultivates mathematics majors. We strive to prepare our majors and minors for more advanced graduate work or for entering the work force. Through research, the department seeks to expand fundamental knowledge of mathematics and students are invited to join faculty on this journey.