Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics Major, B.A./B.S.


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The Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences offers coursework leading to the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree. The distinction between the B.S. and B.A. in mathematics is based on the nature of the coursework taken outside mathematics. In general, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences is awarded if there is substantive coursework taken outside the major courses resulting in:

  1. Reinforcement of the major and/or
  2. Complementary knowledge to the major obtained in either computer science or an area of natural science. With this as the basis, the Mathematical Sciences major is distinguished in the following way: a B.S. is awarded if the minor is in a natural science, computer science, or engineering technology; and a B.A. is awarded if the minor is in another area. See the department website for a complete list.

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:


For mathematics majors with the General or Probability & Statistics Concentration, a one-credit-hour, project-oriented course taken at the senior level synthesizes the material in the major. Each major is also required to take a Senior Experience course and to complete a minor.  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: 20


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: 42


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
At least one of the following sequences:

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 concentration in mathematics education is for the preparation of classroom teachers of mathematics at the secondary level and is also appropriate for students who plan to teach at the elementary level. Students seeking teacher licensure at either level must satisfy MSU Denver’s professional education program requirements for the desired level in addition to all of the mathematics major requirements. In particular, students seeking licensure at the secondary level with endorsement in mathematics must complete the Professional Education Sequence in Secondary Mathematics described below. Students seeking licensure at the elementary level should take the General Course Requirements for Elementary Education Licensure and the Professional Elementary Education Licensure Sequence listed in Elementary Education Licensure . Content competency must be shown for mathematics course credit that is ten or more years old. A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses in the major.

Required Courses:


  • Basic Core: 15

Advanced Mathematics Total: 22


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

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 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.

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

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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