The Major - Mathematics

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 1-7 below. All courses used to satisfy these requirements must be completed with a passing grade (D or higher), but not with a “P.” A cumulative quality point average of at least 2.000 is required in all Mathematics and Statistics courses taken.

Requirements

Differential and integral calculus: MATH 131 and 132, with a grade of C or better in Math 132
Multivariable calculus and linear algebra: MATH 233 and 235
Introduction to abstract mathematics: MATH 300 or CMPSCI 250
Computer programming: CICS 110 OR INFO 190S OR COMPSCI 121 or equivalent
Writing in mathematics: MATH 370
Completion of a MATH or STATISTC course carrying the Integrative Experience designation; currently these are: Math 455, Math 456, Math 475, Stat 525, Stat 494CI
Completion of the requirements of one of the concentrations detailed below (Actuarial, Applied, Individual, Mathematical Computing, Pure, Teaching.).

The Concentrations

Applied Mathematics Concentration

The Applied Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for a career as a mathematician in government or industry.

Requirements:

Calculus: One of MATH 405, 421, 522, 523H, 524, 532H, 534H, 548, 552, STAT 516, 525.
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. Note that Math 456 is the Integrative Experience course for this concentration.
At least three additional courses numbered 400 or higher (except STATISTC 501). With the approval of the chief undergraduate adviser, these may be appropriate courses outside the department. Stat 315 can count as one of the electives.

Actuarial Concentration

The 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:

VEE requirements outside the department: ECON 103 (or Res-Econ 102), ECON 104, and FINANCE 301.
Accounting 211 is now a VEE, but it is not yet a requirement of the concentration. Students are encouraged to take Acct 221.
Probability and Statistics: STATISTC 315 and STATISTC 516
Mathematics of Finance: MATH 537
Linear Regression: STATISTC 525. Note that STATISTC 525 is the Integrative Experience course for this concentration.
Actuarial Mathematics: MATH 437 or MATH 536
Three Courses from the following list: MATH 331, MATH 405, MATH 425, MATH 456, MATH 523H, MATH 545, MATH 548, MATH 551, STATISTC 526, STATISTC 535, or an appropriate course outside the department such as FINANCE 422, Econ 309, Econ 452, or Public Health 460. For other substitutions see the approved outside course list. Only one course outside the department is permitted.

Individually Designed Concentration

The individually designed concentration permits students, in consultation with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor, to design their own concentration so as to explore a theme in mathematics or statistics or to investigate connections between the mathematical sciences and another field. An individual concentration includes the core requirements above plus eight courses numbered 400 or above, of at least three credits each. In practice, very few students choose this option since most of the other concentrations have enough flexibility, including three open electives in the Applied Math concentration. Generally, the individual concentration will only be approved for students with a single major to allow them to gain exposure to multiple disciplines, rather than as a mechanism to add a second major in math using coursework from a primary major. Students also have the option to do BDIC if they are interested in a field that utilizes mathematics, statistics, or data science.

Teaching Concentration

The 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 or 490A
Mathematical Modeling: MATH 331 or MATH 456
Discrete/finite mathematics: MATH 455. Note that Math 455 is the Integrative Experience course for this concentration.
Geometry: MATH 461
Probability and Statistics: Either STAT 501 followed by STAT 315 (was Stat 515) or STAT 315/515 followed by STAT 516
Use of technology: MATH 471
One additional course numbered 400 or higher (MATH 475, History of Mathematics, is recommended)

Mathematical Computing Concentration

The Mathematical Computing Concentration prepares the student for careers that require both knowledge of advanced mathematics and extensive knowledge of computer programming.

Requirements:

Object-Oriented Programming: CICS 160. This course is a pre-requisite for CS 250 and CICS 210.
Data Structures: CICS 210 (or CompSci 187). This course is a prerequisite for CS 311.
Algebra: MATH 411
Probability: STATISTC 315
Numerics: MATH 551
Algorithms: CMPSCI 311
CMPSCI 501 or CMPSCI 575/MATH 513
Two additional courses in the following list: MATH 331, MATH 412, MATH 456, MATH 471, MATH 545, Math 548/597U, MATH 552, MATH 571 or STAT 516. The IE course on this list is MATH 456.
CS elective: any 300+ level CS course of 3 credits or more that is not used to satisfy any of the previous requirements.

Pure Mathematics Concentration

The Pure Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for graduate study in mathematics.

Requirements:

Abstract Algebra: MATH 411
Complex variables: MATH 421
Analysis: MATH 523H
Advanced Coursework in Analysis, Geometry or Algebra. Two courses from Math 425, Math 522/597F, Math 524, Math 412, Math 481/497K (Knot Theory), Math 557, Math 563H.
One applied mathematics course either chosen from the following list or another course with sufficient applied mathematical content approved by the Chief Undergraduate Advisor: MATH 331, MATH 456, MATH 532, MATH 534, MATH 551, MATH 552, STAT 516
Two additional courses numbered 400 or higher (except Stat 501). Stat 315 can also count as one of the electives. Most students will select one of these to be MATH 455 to satisfy the IE requirement. One may be a course from the approved outside course list.

Honors Program

Mathematics majors who are also students in Commonwealth College may pursue honors through any of the three standard tracks: Commonwealth College Honors, Commonwealth College Departmental Honors, or Commonwealth College Multidisciplinary Honors. Mathematics majors who satisfy the requirements may also enter Commonwealth College after enrolling in the University. In order to enroll in Departmental Honors, a student must submit a change of major form, signed by the Honors Coordinator, to the registrar.