Mathematics

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Mathematicians and those with mathematical inclination are inherently problem solvers. Through course work and individual faculty-student work, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the mechanism to develop and refine problem solving skills and creative thinking skills that are so important to meeting the demands of the job market and society in general. The core courses in the BA program provide basic mathematical tools. Diversity in upper level course offerings, combined with one or more interdisciplinary concentrations, gives students considerable versatility on their career paths.

Departmental Notes:
The Department of Mathematics maintains a “laboratory” in 116 Neville Hall where students enrolled in lower division mathematics courses can come to get supplementary help with their homework assignments. The laboratory is open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Monday through Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM during the academic year. Faculty, graduate assistants, and junior and senior mathematics majors staff the laboratory. The laboratory is also equipped with computers and resident mathematical software.

The Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
Required courses for the BA in mathematics are divided into:

Core mathematics courses
Upper level mathematics area of concentration
Outside specialization

A student must receive a grade of at least C in a course in order to receive credit toward meeting the requirements for the major.

Core Mathematics Courses

Upper Level Mathematics Area of Concentration:

At least four other approved MAT courses, at least three of which must be at the 400 level or above. These courses should be chosen by the student in consultation with her/his advisor and they should form a coherent area of concentration. Some examples of areas of concentration are Pure Mathematics, Continuous Applied Mathematics, Discrete Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Mathematics Education. (12)
Total MAT Credits = 43.

Outside Specialization:

Each mathematics major must complete an 18-credit specialization or two 12-credit specializations of advisor-approved courses in areas outside of mathematics.

Suggested curriculum for the BA in Mathematics

First Year - First Semester

ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
LAS 100 - Majoring in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Credits: 1
MAT 126 - Calculus I Credits: 4
Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements) Credits: 7-10

First Year - Second Semester

MAT 127 - Calculus II Credits: 4
Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements) Credits: 11-14

Second Year - First Semester

MAT 228 - Calculus III Credits: 4
MAT 261 - Introduction to Abstract Mathematics Credits: 3
Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements and the College of Liberal Arts distribution requirement) Credits: 5-8

Second Year - Second Semester

MAT 262 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3
Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution requirement) Credits: 6-9

Outside specialization course. Credits: 3

One of:

MAT 425 - Introduction to Real Analysis I Credits: 3
MAT 463 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra I Credits: 3
MAT 465 - Theory of Numbers Credits: 3
MAT 481 - Discrete Mathematics Credits: 3

Third Year - First Semester

MAT 425 - Introduction to Real Analysis I Credits: 3
one of:
MAT 463 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra I. Credits: 3
MAT 465 - Theory of Numbers. Credits: 3
MAT 481 - Discrete Mathematics. Credits: 3

MAT 434 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
Outside Specialization course Credits: 3
Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution requirement) Credits: 5-8

Third Year - Second Semester

One or two MAT courses for the upper-level Concentration Credits: 3-6

Outside Specialization course Credits: 3

Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution requirement) Credits: 6-9

Fourth Year - First Semester

One or two MAT courses for the upper-level Concentration Credits: 3-6

Outside Specialization course Credits: 3

Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution requirement) Credits: 5-8

Fourth Year - Second Semester

MAT 401 - Capstone Seminar in Mathematics Credits: 3
MAT course for the upper-level Concentration Credits: 3
Outside Specialization course Credits: 3
Electives (Including courses for completing the University general education requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution requirement) Credits: 6-9

Five-year Program

The Department offers a five-year program which leads to both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Due to the alternate-year scheduling of our graduate courses, the program is designed so the student can take necessary graduate courses during his or her senior year. This is necessary if the student is to complete the requirements for the M.A. in one year of post-baccalaureate study. Contact the Department for further details.