Department of Mathematics and Statistics

BA in Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. The program is designed to provide students with a broad background in mathematics and statistics. Students select one of three concentrations: pure mathematics, applied mathematics/operations research, or statistics. Students who would like to become certified to teach may select the Secondary Teacher Education track. The Department also offers an accelerated, flexible 4+1 master's program in statistics, where students can earn both an undergraduate degree and the M.S. degree in statistics in five years by carefully selecting their courses.

The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University's Core curriculum) required for a bachelor of arts in mathematics: 49 (34 in foundations and 15 in one of the three concentrations listed below).

A. Foundations

As a mathematics major, a student selects one of the three concentrations described below in section B. For each concentration all majors are required to successfully complete the foundations sequence as described in this section. Each student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in major courses before being considered for a baccalaureate degree in mathematics.

 

Foundations Sequence (Required of all majors in mathematics) (34 Credits)
     MAT 152 Calculus A 4 cr
     MAT 153 Calculus B 4 cr
     MAT 252 Calculus C 4 cr
     MAT 281 Introduction to Probability 3 cr
     MAT 282 Statistical Inference 3 cr
     MAT 290 Foundations of Mathematics 4 cr
     MAT 295 Linear Algebra 4 cr
     MAT 350 Differential Equations 4 cr
     COS 160 Structured Problem Solving: Java 3 cr
     COS 170 Structured Programming Laboratory 1 cr
B. Concentrations

Each mathematics major should choose one of the following concentrations. (15 credit hours)

1. Pure Mathematics Concentration

Mathematics majors intending to pursue graduate work in mathematics should consider this concentration and are urged to take Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Topology, and one year of French or German. Those intending to teach at the secondary level should choose this concentration.

a. Successful completion of three of the courses listed below:
     MAT 352 Real Analysis
     MAT 355 Complex Analysis
     MAT 371 College Geometry
     MAT 392 Theory of Numbers
     MAT 395 Abstract Algebra
     MAT 470 Non-Euclidean Geometry
     MAT 490 Topology

b. Successful completion of at least two additional mathematics courses numbered 260 or above, excluding MAT 380.

2. Applied Mathematics/Operations Research Concentration

Those majors intending to enter industry or other applied fields should consider this concentration. Majors who plan to prepare for the actuarial profession should be certain to include in their programs Numerical Analysis and the appropriate courses in the School of Business. Majors intending to pursue graduate work in applied mathematics are urged to take Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra.

a. Successful completion of three of the courses listed below:
     MAT 364 Numerical Analysis
     MAT 366 Deterministic Models in Operations Research
     MAT 383 System Modeling and Simulation
     MAT 460 Mathematical Modeling
     MAT 461 Stochastic Models in Operations Research
     MAT 492 Graph Theory and Combinatorics

b. Successful completion of at least two additional mathematics courses numbered 260 or above, excluding MAT 380.

3. Statistics Concentration

This concentration is aimed at preparing undergraduates to pursue a career as a statistician in government or industrial jobs, or to pursue a higher degree in statistics or allied fields. Majors intending to pursue graduate work in statistics are urged to take Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra.

a. Successful completion of three of the courses listed below:
     MAT 264 Statistical Software Packages
     MAT 383 System Modeling and Simulation
     MAT 386 Sampling Techniques
     MAT 387 Introduction to Applied/Biostatistical Methods
     MAT 388 Statistical Quality Control    
     MAT 484 Design and Analysis of Experiments
     MAT 485 Introduction to Applied Regression
     MAT 486 Introduction to Big Data Analytics
     MAT 487 Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis
     MAT 488 Introduction to Data Mining

b. Successful completion of at least two additional mathematics courses numbered 260 or above, excluding MAT 380.