UMA Undergraduate Guide 2019-2020 Academic Departments and Programs Mathematics and Statistics The Major
The MajorThe 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 1-7 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.
The ConcentrationsApplied Mathematics ConcentrationThe Applied Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for a career as a mathematician in government or industry. Requirements:
Actuarial ConcentrationThe 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:
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:
Individually designed concentrationThe 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 ConcentrationThe Teaching Concentration provides the student with the knowledge of mathematics and statistics required by the Commonwealth as an 8-12 teacher of mathematics. Requirements:
Mathematical Computing ConcentrationThe Mathematical Computing Concentration prepares the student for careers that require both knowledge of advanced mathematics and extensive knowledge of computer programming. Requirements:
Pure Mathematics ConcentrationThe Pure Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for graduate study in mathematics. Requirements:
Statistics ConcentrationThe Statistics Concentration prepares the student for a career as an applied statistician, a data scientist, or for graduate study in statistics. Requirements:
Honors ProgramThe 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, subject to individual approval by the Department, honors students may register for a two-semester Capstone sequence, MATH 499C (fall) and MATH 499D (spring), if offered, or pursue individual projects through MATH/STATISTC 499P, 499Y, or 499T. For more information, consult the Honors Program Director. |