The Major

The requirements for a degree provide the student with maximum flexibility in designing an overall course of study to meet his or her scientific, educational, and career goals. The beginning courses emphasize computational skills, problem solving, and the understanding of basic concepts. As students progress, they must solve problems that are less and less routine and more abstract or intricate. Some upper-level courses emphasize proofs and the understanding of abstract structures, while others emphasize advanced computational methods or the formulation and analysis of mathematical or statistical models of reality. A number of the courses involve the use of computers in a fundamental manner in the development of the material covered.

Specific requirements for a major in mathematics are given in 1-6 below. All courses used to satisfy these requirements must be completed with a passing grade, but not with a “P.” A cumulative quality point average of at least 2.000 is required in all Mathematics and Statistics courses taken.

1. Differential and integral calculus: MATH 131 and 132
2. Multivariable calculus and linear algebra: MATH 233 and 235
3. Introduction to abstract mathematics: MATH 300 or CMPSCI 250 (may be waived by the Chief Undergraduate Adviser for exceptionally well-prepared students)
4. Computer programming: CMPSCI 121 or equivalent
5. Writing in mathematics: MATH 370
6. Completion of the requirements of one of the concentrations detailed below (Applied Mathematics, Actuarial, Individual, Mathematical Computing, Pure Mathematics, Statistics or Teaching). At most four of the courses used to satisfy the concentration requirements may be taken outside the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The chief undergraduate Adviser must approve all such courses taken outside the department. These grades earned in the courses that satisfy the concentration requirement must average C or higher.

Note: STATISTC 501 may not be applied to requirements if it is taken after STATISTC 515 or STATISTC 516.

The Concentrations

Applied Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for a career as a mathematician in government or industry. Requirements:
Advanced calculus: MATH 425
Differential equations: MATH 331
Linear algebra for applied mathematics: MATH 545
Introduction to scientific computing: MATH 551
At least one of the following courses: MATH 456, MATH 532, MATH 534, MATH 552
At least three additional courses numbered 400 or higher. With the approval of the chief undergraduate adviser, these may be appropriate courses outside the department.

Actuarial Concentration emphasizes applications to the financial and insurance sectors and is designed to help students meet the standards required for entering the workforce in those fields, including the actuarial sciences. Requirements:
Probability and Statistics: STATISTIC 515 or STATISTIC 515H and STATISTIC 516
Mathematics of Finance: MATH 441
Actuarial Mathematics: MATH 397A or MATH 497FM
Four Courses from the following list: MATH 331 or 532, MATH 425, MATH 456, MATH 523, MATH 545, MATH 551, STATISTIC 505/697R, STATISTIC 597, FINOPMGT 422
In addition to the Upper Division courses listed above, this concentration requires satisfactory completion of the following courses designed to meet the Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements as set out and approved by the Society of Actuaries:
Economics: ECON 103 and ECON 104
Applied Statistical Methods: FINOPMGT 250
Corporate Finance: FINOPMGT 301

Individually designed concentration permits students, in consultation with their academic adviser, to design their own concentration so as to explore thoroughly a theme in mathematics or statistics or to investigate connections between mathematics and/or statistics and another field, such as biology or economics. An individual concentration must include eight courses numbered 400 or above, of at least three credits each. At least four of these eight courses must be in mathematics or statistics. In consultation with their academic adviser, students propose a plan for the eight courses to be used to fulfill the requirements of the individual concentration. No later than the end of the semester in which students are taking MATH 300 or during the second semester of the students’ sophomore year, whichever comes first, students will: prepare the plan in writing, secure approval of the plan by their adviser, and submit the written plan for approval to the chief undergraduate adviser. No later than the end of the junior year, students review the plan with their academic adviser. If any changes are proposed to the original plan, students will: prepare a revised plan in writing, secure approval of the revised plan by their adviser, and then submit the revised plan for approval to the chief undergraduate adviser.

Teaching Concentration provides the student with the knowledge of mathematics and statistics required by the Commonwealth as an 8-12 teacher of mathematics. Requirements:
Abstract Algebra: MATH 411
Mathematical Modeling: MATH 456
Discrete/finite mathematics: MATH 455
Geometry: MATH 461 and 462
Probability and Statistics: STATISTIC 501 followed by STATISTC 515 or STATISTIC 515 followed by STATISTIC 516
Use of technology: MATH 503 or 551

Mathematical Computing Concentration prepares the student for careers that require both knowledge of advanced mathematics and extensive knowledge of computer programming. Requirements:
Computer programming: CMPSCI 121 or CMPSCI 187
Introduction to abstract mathematics: MATH 300 or CMPSCI 250
Algebra: MATH 411 or MATH 511
Probability: STATISTIC 515 or STATISTIC 515H
Numerics: MATH 551
Algorithms: CMPSCI 311
CMPSCI 401 or CMPSCI 575/MATH 513

Pure Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for graduate study in mathematics. Requirements:
Algebra: MATH 411 or MATH 511
Complex variables: MATH 421
Advanced multivariate calculus: MATH 425
Analysis: MATH 523
At least one of the following courses:
MATH 412
MATH 512
MATH 563
At least one “applied mathematics”course either chosen from the following list or another course with sufficent applied mathematical content approved by the chief undergraduate adviser:
MATH 331
MATH 456
MATH 532
MATH 534
MATH 551
MATH 552
STATISTC 516
At least two additional courses numbered 400 or higher. With the approval of the chief undergraduate adviser, these may be appropriate courses outside the department.

Statistics Concentration prepares the student for a career as an applied statistician or for graduate study in statistics. Requirements:
Advanced multivariate calculus: MATH 425
Algebra: MATH 545 or MATH 411 or MATH 511
Introduction to statistics: STATISTC 515 or STATISTIC 515H  and STATISTC 516
At least one of the following courses:
STATISTC 505
STATISTC 506
STATISTC 511
At least three additional courses numbered 400 or higher. With the approval of the chief undergraduate adviser, these may be appropriate courses outside the department.

Honors Program
The department also offers a program of study in mathematics leading to higher honors (i.e., cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude) at graduation. Prospective honors students are strongly advised to take MATH 300 as early as possible, as well as the honors sections which are offered throughout the calculus courses. In their senior year, honors students may register for a two-semester Capstone sequence, MATH 499C (fall) and MATH 499D (spring), if offered, or puruse individual projects through MATH/STATISTIC 499P, 499Y, or 499T. For more information, consult the Chief Undergraduate Adviser, tel. (413) 545-2282, Lederle GRT 1521E.