Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics Major, B.S.


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The Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences offers coursework leading to the bachelor of science degree.

A degree in mathematics is useful in a variety of professional fields including, among many others, business, economics, computer science, government, education, technology, and science. Students are invited to consult with the department concerning career options.

All majors in mathematics are required to complete the following basic core of courses (with a required minimum grade of “C-” in each of these courses). Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. The department strongly recommends that students interested in the applied mathematics concentration take sections of calculus using Mathematica.

Total: 15 credits


Notes:


*Some sections of this course have a Mathematica component.

**All sections of this course have a Mathematica component.

Note:


All majors are required to complete a minor unless they are dual majors or majors receiving concurrent or second degrees.  Each major is required to take a Senior Experience course. The following mathematics courses have been approved as Senior Experience courses: MTH 4210 , MTH 4410 , MTH 4480 , and MTH 4640 . The course MTH 3240  does not count toward a mathematics major or a mathematics minor.

The student may choose to complete a mathematics major in one of the following concentrations:

General Mathematics Education
Probability and Statistics Theoretical Mathematics
Applied Mathematics  

 

General Concentration:


The general concentration in mathematics is designed to meet the needs of students with diverse mathematical interests or background, since it allows considerable flexibility among upper division course choices. A grade of “C-” or better is required in each course included in the major.

Required Courses:


  • Basic Core: 15 credits

Subtotal: 19


A minimum of 22 credit hours chosen from:


MTH 2140*, or any upper-division mathematics courses with the exception of MTH 3240. The 22 credit hours must include at least 20 upper-division hours, at least seven hours of 4000-level courses in mathematics, including at least one Senior Experience course in mathematics, and one of the following sequences:

Subtotal: 22


Total: 41


Note:


*Only one of the three courses MTH 2140, MTH 3130, and MTH 3140 can be counted.

Applied Mathematics Concentration:


The concentration in applied mathematics is designed to meet the needs of the scientific, technical, and computer-based economy and to prepare the student for graduate study. The department has made every effort to have state-of-the-art technologies and practices available for student use and strongly recommends that students interested in this concentration take sections of calculus using Mathematica software. A grade of “C-” or better is required in each course included in the major.

Required Courses:


  • Basic Core: 15
Additional hours from the following for a total of at least 42 hours.

Total: 42

Notes:

*MTH 3130 and one of the following (MTH 3110 or MTH 3650 or MTH 4110 or MTH 4150 or MTH 4410 or MTH 4660) may substitute for MTH 3140. If MTH 4410 is used for this substitution it can also be used in the other categories.

**Students who are considering graduate school in mathematics are strongly encouraged to take this course.

Mathematics Education Concentration:


The Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences offers a major in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in Mathematics Education and the option of secondary licensure.  

The goals of this program are to provide degree-seeking candidates with: (1) broad-based and coherent preparation in the various disciplines that constitute the mathematical sciences; (2) the pedagogical knowledge of mathematics needed to begin a career as a middle or high school mathematics teacher; and (3) the state requirements for obtaining licensure.

Candidates are required to meet with one or more of the faculty advisors in the mathematics education concentration area as well as a secondary education advisor as they plan their academic program. The Mathematics Major with Mathematics Education Concentration requires completion of the courses listed below, and satisfaction of the minimum grade and currency requirements stated below. Any of the courses required for the major that were taken more than ten years ago will need to be repeated unless currency of knowledge in the concepts of the course can be demonstrated.

Please note: This major requires a minor.  Students seeking licensure in Mathematics Education should declare a Mathematics Major and a Secondary Education Minor.

Required Courses:


  • Basic Core: 15

Subtotal: 22


Subtotal: 3


Mathematics or Computer Science Elective (Choose ONE of the following):


Subtotal: 3-4


Notes:


*MTH 3130 and one of the following (MTH 4110 or MTH 4150 or MTH 4410 or MTH 4660) may substitute for MTH 3140.

**Senior Experience Course

Total: 43-44


Professional Education Sequence in Secondary Mathematics:


(To Complement the Mathematics Education Concentration)

Students seeking teacher licensure at the secondary level with endorsement in mathematics must take the following sequence of courses and be admitted to the teacher education program. Students should pay particular attention to corequisites and prerequisites.

Probability and Statistics Concentration:


The concentration in probability and statistics stresses the application of the principles and methods of statistics and probability to the biological, physical, social sciences, and engineering.  This concentration also prepares the students for graduate study in the area of statistics.  A grade of “C-“ or better is required in all courses included in the major.

Required Courses:


Basic Core: 15

One of the following three courses:


Total: 43


Theoretical Mathematics Concentration:


The concentration in theoretical mathematics prepares the student for further specialized study at the graduate level as well as being adaptable to positions in business, industry, and government. A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses included in the major.

Required Courses:


  • Basic Core: 15

All four of the following courses:


Total: 39-40


Note:


*MTH 3130 and one of the following (MTH 3650 or MTH 4150 or MTH 4640) may substitute for MTH 3140.

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