Degree Requirements - B.S. in Mathematics

This webpage contains the mathematics degree requirements of the current on-line bulletin, frozen at June 1, 2008 and in force September 1, 2008. For past mathematics catalogue information or updates please see the recent versions and updates section of the degree overview page.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR A B.S. IN MATHEMATICS

Major Concentrations: Mathematics majors choose to complete their program in one of four concentrations: Mathematics, Continuous Applied Mathematics, Discrete Applied Mathematics, or Statistics and Operations Research. The Mathematics concentration provides the foundational mathematical depth of a traditional mathematics major and is intended for students planning on graduate study in an area of mathematics. In applied mathematics there are two areas: the Continuous Applied Mathematics concentration and the Discrete Applied Mathematics concentration. Students selecting these concentrations may tailor their programs to interface with another major or to enhance industrial employment or graduate school opportunities. The Statistics and Operations Research concentration is recommended for students pursuing careers in actuarial science, graduate study in statistics, or employment in government or industry in a statistical capacity. It is strongly recommended that students considering graduate education in mathematics include MA 376 Abstract Algebra among their elective mathematics courses. Upon graduation a student may request the Head of the Mathematics Department to issue a letter attesting to the fact that the requirements in the chosen concentration have been completed.

Mathematics Coursework Requirements: All mathematics majors must complete a common core consisting of 39 credit hours of mathematics coursework, which provides breadth across the main areas of mathematics. A mathematics major must also complete an additional 12 credit hours of mathematics coursework specified for the selected major concentration plus an additional 12 credit hours earned in free elective mathematics courses. In addition, a mathematics major must complete 8 credit hours of either a senior thesis or project, meant as a capstone experience to the major. A total of 71 credit hours of mathematics courses is required for the major. None of the credits in the 71 hours above may be taken from the courses MA190, MA351-MA356, MA450 or MA223 (unless approved by the department head). These courses (except MA190) may be taken as free electives. Finally, a student taking a degree program in which mathematics is the primary major must also take MA190. A student whose second major is mathematics is not required to take MA 190, but is strongly encouraged to do so.

Common Required Core (39 hrs.)

Mathematics Concentration Core (12 hrs.) Three courses selected as follows:

Continuous Applied Mathematics Concentration Core (12 hrs.) Three courses selected per the list below. Students completing the Continuous Applied Mathematics Concentration are strongly urged to complete mathematics coursework in statistics as elective coursework.

Discrete Applied Mathematics Concentration Core (12 hrs.) Three courses selected per the list below. Students completing the Discrete Applied Mathematics Concentration are strongly urged to complete mathematics coursework in statistics as elective coursework.

Statistics and Operations Research Concentration Core (12 hrs.) Three courses selected per the list below. Students completing the Statistics and Operations Research Concentration are strongly urged to complete mathematics coursework in applied mathematics as elective coursework.

It is strongly suggested that the student take as many of the above courses as possible.

Free Mathematics Electives (12 hrs.) Additional mathematics coursework in courses numbered 300 or above (MA351-MA356, MA450 excepted).

MA 190 – Contemporary Mathematical Problems (2 hrs.) A student taking a degree program in which mathematics is the primary major must also take  MA 190. A student whose second major is mathematics is not required to take MA 190, but is strongly encouraged to do so.

Senior Project or Thesis (8 hrs.) A student must complete either a Senior Project, equivalent to the 8 credit hours of MA 491 – 494, or a Senior Thesis, equivalent to the 8 credit hours of MA 496 – 498. The project and thesis are each important capstone experiences for the mathematics major, representing sustained efforts to solve a complex problem from industry or mathematical research.

Senior Project Option: Students seeking to do a senior project must complete a written project involving effort equivalent to the 8 credit hours of MA491 – 494. Specifically,

• MA 493 and MA 494 must be taken in separate terms.
• The requirement of MA 491-492 may be fulfilled through some project experience (such as an internship) and another 300-level or above mathematics course (4 hours), as approved by the project advisor. The course substitution procedure must be used.
• The project must involve work done by the student(s) to solve a problem presented by an external sponsor. The written project submission must be signed by the student's project advisor (who must be a member of the mathematics department) and two additional members (who are approved by the project advisor), and must be presented in the departmental seminar. The additional members of the committee may include representatives of the sponsor.

Senior Thesis Option: Students seeking to do a senior thesis must complete a written thesis involving effort equivalent to the 8 credit hours of MA496 – MA 498. Specifically,

• MA 497 and MA 498 must be taken in separate terms.
• The requirement of MA 496 may be fulfilled through some undergraduate research experience and an additional 300-level or above mathematics course (4 hours), as approved by the thesis advisor. The course substitution procedure must be used.
• The thesis must involve creative work done by the student and a significant portion of this work must have been done by the student individually (not as part of a team). The written submission must be signed by the student's thesis advisor (who must be a member of the mathematics department) and two additional faculty members (who are approved by the thesis advisor), and must be presented in the departmental seminar.

Summary of Requirements