College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student Gabe Postacchini never expected to enjoy Calculus II, a required course for his computer science degree, but it didn't take him long to begin finding enjoyment in what he was learning.
That same enjoyment led Postacchini to realize something: adding a double major in mathematics was the perfect way to blend his technical interests in computer science with his artistic interests in mathematics.
"To me, math is about learning how to think," he said. "It's not just numbers and equations, but rather recognizing patterns, breaking down problems, and understanding why things work the way they do."
With his combined majors, Postacchini was able to use skill sets from both areas and work closely with faculty on the university's high-performance computing cluster and develop experimental approaches to solving differential equations.
"It was one of the first times I got to see how mathematical ideas and computational tools could come together to tackle real-world problems that are difficult and open-ended," Postacchini said.
Postacchini has applied his mathematics skills in other ways, writing algorithm-heavy systems for the university's robotics team, competing in the Iowa Collegiate Math Competition, presenting research at university festivals, and serving as a tutor for the Department of Mathematics.
Because of the program's flexibility, Postacchini appreciates that students can explore how mathematics connects with their interests, whether in physics, engineering, software, or another field.
"For me, it's been challenging in the best way. It has pushed me to think more clearly, take on problems that don't have obvious answers, and really trust my own abilities to figure things out," he said. "And that's what mathematics at Iowa is really all about: not just knowledge, but a new way of thinking that you can carry into anything you do."