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

Mathematics, B.S.


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Requirements for the Major


Requirements for a major and an example of a typical program of courses are listed below. Students with advanced placement credit may visit the department website for a suggested sequence of courses.

Freshman Year


Fall Term


Spring Term


Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Fall Term


Spring Term


  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • PL 200-Level Philosophical Perspectives Course or
  • Theology Core
  • English Core
  • Fine Arts Core
  • Elective

Senior Year


Fall Term


  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • Ethics Core
  • Nondepartmental Elective**
  • Elective

Spring Term


  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • Nondepartmental Elective**
  • Elective
  • Elective

Key:


* Required for major.
** Terms may be interchanged.
*** See Note 4.
† Natural Science Core: BL 118 /BL 119  or BL 201 /BL 202  or CH 101  or PH 201 /PH 291 .

Notes:


  1. Beginning Courses: MA 251 , MA 252 , and ST 210  give a first exposure to the development of good mathematical problem solving skills and the use of the computer in mathematics. These courses must be taken prior to any intermediate ones. Advanced placement is possible for incoming freshmen through the CLEP and advanced placement tests. See department chair for details.
  2. Intermediate Courses: MA 301 , MA 302 , MA 304 , MA 351 , and MA 395  build on the maturity developed in the beginning courses. They are designed to bring problem solving and mathematical thinking to a higher, more rigorous level and to expose students to the wide variety of mathematics in use today.
  3. Advanced Courses: Seven MA/ST 400-level courses (five for secondary education) chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Selections depend on the student's mathematical interests and career goals. It may not be necessary to take all intermediate courses before beginning an advanced course. Check the prerequisites for the desired course. It is important that students discuss their options with their advisor to plan for the advanced courses that are right for them.
  4. Computer Skills: Mathematics majors with enhanced computer skills find a wider job market open to them. Majors are required to take CS 201  and MA 302 . CS 202  offers students the opportunity to learn the complete syntax of a computer language and gives them the necessary experience to become proficient programmers. All majors are urged to consider taking CS 202 .
  5. Concentrations/Required Advanced Courses: Requirements for the four available concentrations are listed below. Upon selecting a concentration, each student will be assigned an advisor responsible for counseling, approving course choices, and monitoring progress. Most concentrations are required to complete an advanced full year sequence. The possible full-year sequences are: Analysis I and Analysis II; Analysis I and Complex Analysis; Algebra: Rings and Fields and Algebra: Groups; Numerical Analysis and Computational Mathematics; Advanced Linear Algebra and Numerical Analysis.

General Program: Seven advanced MA/ST courses, at least four of which need to be MA courses. Courses must include Analysis I, and one of Algebra: Rings and Fields or Algebra: Groups, and one of the full year math
sequences.

Applied Mathematics: Seven advanced MA/ST courses including: Analysis I, Advanced Linear Algebra, Numerical Analysis and Computational Mathematics.

Pure Mathematics: Seven advanced MA/ST courses, at least four of which require Discrete Methods as a direct or indirect prerequisite. Courses must include Analysis I, one of Algebra: Rings and Fields or Algebra: Groups, and the full year sequence in analysis or algebra.

Secondary Education:   Students interested in Secondary Education may follow one of two courses of study: the Secondary Education Concentration, or some other concentration together with admission to the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. These students should choose between the courses of study as early as possible: education courses taken at the undergraduate level will not count towards the requirements of the MAT program. Students in the MAT program are strongly encouraged to take MA431, and MA441 (these courses are required for students in the Secondary Education concentration).

  1. Students must complete the diversity core requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Core Requirement  under Curriculum and Policies).

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