The Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:
- Calculus of several variables and vector analysis.
- The structure of mathematical proofs and definitions.
- Basic programming.
- Basic linear algebra and the theory of vector spaces.
- Basic real analysis of one variable.
- At least one additional specialized area of mathematics.
In addition, students completing a degree in mathematics are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:
- Move from concrete to abstract thinking and back with facility.
- Recognize patterns and connections between areas of mathematics and between mathematics and other subjects.
- Organize and construct a logical argument, provide evidence to support arguments and articulate arguments clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing.
Program Tracks
The mathematics program offers four tracks that lead to the BS degree. All four tracks require Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, MATH 2001, MATH 2135 and MATH 3001.
Comprehensive Track
The comprehensive track emphasizes theoretical mathematics, and is aimed at students seeking a general background in mathematics or intending to pursue graduate work in mathematics.
Applicable Track
The applicable track is aimed at students seeking a background in applied and/or applicable mathematics.
Computational Track
The computational track is designed for students with an interest in the intersection of mathematics and computer science.
Statistics Track
The statistics track is designed for students seeking a background in statistics and/or data science.
Requirements
Program Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, a student must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as at least 46 credit hours towards the major area (21 credit hours must be upper-division). They also must complete at least 8 credit hours in a two-course ancillary natural or social sciences sequence where math is applied.
Students must complete six mathematics courses, a two programming sequence, a two-course natural or social sciences sequence, and six additional upper-division mathematics courses for one of the fours tracks (described below in the Program Tracks).
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses applied to the major area and the ancillary sequence, and have at least a C (2.000) average for all attempted work in the major area.
Mathematics and Programming Core Courses
The following courses are required of all BS mathematics majors, regardless of track.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 1300 | Calculus 1 | 5 |
| or MATH 1310 | Calculus for Life Sciences | |
| or APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | |
| MATH 2300 | Calculus 2 | 5 |
| or APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | |
| MATH 2400 | Calculus 3 | 5 |
| or APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers | |
| MATH 2001 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| or MATH 2002 | Number Systems: An Introduction to Higher Mathematics | |
| MATH 2130 | Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors | 3 |
| MATH 3001 | Analysis 1 | 3 |
| Two semesters of programming (one of the following pairs): | 7-8 | |
| Python for Math and Data Science Applications and Algorithms and Data Structures in Python | ||
| Computer Science 1: Starting Computing and Computer Science 2: Data Structures | ||
| Computer Science 1: Starting Computing and Introduction to Programming and Scientific Computing | ||
| Programming for Information Science 1 and Programming for Information Science 2 | ||
| Program Track Coursework | 18-19 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 49-51 | |
Ancillary Natural or Social Sciences Sequence
The following courses are required of all BS mathematics majors, regardless of track.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete one of the following two-course (plus labs) sequences | 8-10 | |
| Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System w/Lab and Introductory Astronomy: Stars & Galaxies w/Recitation | ||
| Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 1 and Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 2 | ||
| General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 2 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 2 | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry and Foundations of Chemistry Lab and Foundations of Chemistry 2 and Laboratory in Foundations of Chemistry 2 | ||
| General Biology 1 and General Biology 2 and General Biology Laboratory 1 and General Biology Laboratory 2 | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| General Physics 1 and General Physics 2 and Experimental Physics 1 | ||
| General Physics 1 for Majors and General Physics 2 for Majors and Experimental Physics 1 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 8-10 | |
Program Tracks
Comprehensive Track
Aimed at students seeking a general background in mathematics or intending to pursue graduate work in mathematics, in addition to the coursework required of all BS mathematics majors, the comprehensive track requires the following courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 3140 | Abstract Algebra 1 | 3 |
| MATH 4001 | Analysis 2 | 3 |
| MATH 4140 | Abstract Algebra 2 | 3 |
| 3 further upper division MATH courses (9 credits) | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Applicable Track
Aimed at students seeking a background in applied and/or applicable mathematics, in addition to the coursework required of all BS mathematics majors, the applicable track requires the following courses.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 3430 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 4470 | Partial Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 4510 | Introduction to Probability Theory | 3 |
| MATH 4520 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| 2 further upper division MATH courses (6 credits) | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Computational Track
Aimed at students interested in both mathematics and computation, in addition to the coursework required of all BS mathematics majors, the computational track requires the following courses.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CSCI 3104 | Algorithms | 4 |
| MATH 3430 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 4650 | Intermediate Numerical Analysis 1 | 3 |
| 3 further upper division MATH courses (9 credits) | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 19 | |
Statistics Track
Aimed at students seeking a background in statistics and/or data science, in addition to the coursework required of all BS mathematics majors, the statistics track requires the following courses.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 4510 | Introduction to Probability Theory | 3 |
| MATH 4520 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 4540 | Introduction to Time Series | 3 |
| 3 additional courses selected from the following: | 9 | |
| Markov Processes, Queues, and Monte Carlo Simulations | ||
| Theoretical Foundations of Data Science | ||
| Introduction to Stochastic Processes | ||
| Statistical Methods and Application I | ||
| Statistical Methods and Applications II | ||
| Statistical Learning | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study
Through the required coursework for the major, students will complete the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement and, depending on the track of study, potentially some credit hours in the Natural Sciences and Arts & Humanities areas of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| MATH 1300 | Calculus 1 | 5 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH 2300 | Calculus 2 | 5 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) | 4 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Arts & Humanities/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MATH 2400 | Calculus 3 | 5 |
| MATH 2001 or MATH 2002 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics or Number Systems: An Introduction to Higher Mathematics | 3 |
| CSCI 1300 | Computer Science 1: Starting Computing | 4 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH 2135 | Introduction to Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors | 3 |
| CSCI 2270 | Computer Science 2: Data Structures | 4 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MATH Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| MATH Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) - Upper-division | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH 3001 | Analysis 1 | 3 |
| MATH Upper Division Elective | ||
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MATH Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| MATH Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| MATH Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Formalize mathematical reasoning and processes, state problems carefully and articulate assumptions.
- Identify rigor and correctness (and their absence) in mathematical arguments.
- Write sound mathematical proofs.
- Recognize applications of mathematical theory beyond and between individual classes.