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Programs and Degrees

Mathematics Degree Plans

Start here by clicking on the following link to obtain a single file containing the current degree details for the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with both options compared side by side. This file also has a suggested semester by semester schedule for both options.

Click on the following links to obtain the official degree plan forms for the two options of the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. You will need to see an advisor in the Mathematics Department and sign a copy of the appropriate plan below to declare as a mathematics major. The courses in these documents are grouped both by disciple and in a suggested semester by semester plan of study. They are provided here in Microsoft Word (.doc) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) formats. These plans are valid for the 2007-2010 catalogues.

Check the course scheduling page for detailed information about specific course offerings this semester.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree has two options: The Standard Option and the Teaching Option. Both options of this degree have nearly the same degree requirements in general education and mathematics. Both options also require coursework from another field to supplement and coordinate with the mathematical education in the program.

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This degree program is built upon a strong general education core with some specific courses chosen from the University's general education program in order to educate the best mathematicians. Students in this program take courses developing general education competencies and developing the relationship of mathematics to physics, economics, history, social science, humanities, and the arts. Strong communication skills are emphasized throughout the program, building on a foundation of courses in composition and speech.

The mathematics major component of the degree begins with a foundation in calculus and differential equations, an introduction to mathematics technology and programming, and an integrated introduction to pure mathematics. Students further build on this foundation with applied mathematics courses in probability and statistics, discrete mathematics, and modeling. Mathematical logic and thinking abilities are advanced through pure mathematics courses in geometry, linear algebra, abstract algebra, and real analysis. A course in the history of mathematics shows that mathematics is an ever evolving field of human endeavor.

Each mathematics major will take at least nine additional credit hours of mathematics courses. In the teaching option these hours are satisfied by completing a series of three courses in mathematics pedagogy and practice. These courses integrate the theory of learning, mathematical content knowledge, and practical teaching experiences in the field. In the standard option, students have a choice of three elective mathematics courses from a list of several options, giving students the opportunity to study a number of more advanced areas of mathematics, opening further career opportunities, and better preparing the students for graduate school.

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Students also take a seminar course in problem solving techniques prior to completing the capstone senior project in which a student researches an area related to his/her interests and presents written and oral reports.

Students in this program also have an important component which is satisfied by a concentration of courses chosen to complement and apply their mathematical education.

In the standard option students choose a concentration of coursework in a secondary field after consulting with a mathematics faculty advisor. The study of this secondary field allows students to become educated in an additional field of interest and to obtain skills that may increase their employment opportunities in many areas of business or government. Students should make connections between their mathematical studies and how mathematical skills and knowledge may be applied in their secondary area. Often this secondary concentration will lead to obtaining a minor offered by another department. Senior projects may incorporate skills and knowledge from the student’s secondary concentration as well as their mathematics major.

In the secondary teacher licensure option, the secondary concentration is replaced by the College of Education’s professional education core common to all secondary education majors. In addition, this option makes some further restrictions on the general education core courses and adds courses in conversational Spanish and physical education. The 27 credit hour professional education core provides the foundation for good teaching practice. In addition, the Department of Mathematics offers the previously mentioned three courses integrating good pedagogical practice with sound mathematical training as students apply their teaching skills to help actual university and secondary students. The program culminates with a semester long student teaching internship in the secondary school system. This option was specifically designed to educate the best possible secondary (7-12) mathematics teachers.

There is currently a nationwide shortage of good mathematics teachers. There are various sources of financial aid available for qualified students wishing to pursue a career in mathematics education. Contact your financial aid officer for assistance.

Mathematics Minor

Click on the following link for a printable summary of the Minor in Mathematics in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format:

Students who are majoring in other field but are interested in mathematics have the option of completing a Minor in Mathematics. Many employers desire employees who have the analytical and quantitative skills developed by a mathematics minor. The addition of a mathematics minor is an option that should be considered by many.

To complete a minor in mathematics students must complete at least 18 credit hours of mathematics beyond the general education level. Specifically, they must use MATH 2804 Calculus I as their general education mathematics class and complete the following required courses:

In addition, students must successfully complete at least 11 hours of courses chosen from the following:

[IMAGE: Dr. Myron Rigsby]

Students may count courses from the list above toward both their major degree requirements and toward satisfying the Minor in Mathematics. For example, engineering majors already take the calculus/differential equations sequence, so they only have to complete the additional requirements of Applied Mathematical Statistics I and one more course from the list above to complete this minor in mathematics.

Students majoring in middle level education with a mathematics/science emphasis are especially encouraged to consider a minor in mathematics. Students in this program may make the following course substitutions to strengthen their degree to include the minor in mathematics with only a four credit hour increase in their degree plan:

General Education Mathematics and Support Courses

[IMAGE: David Dubriske]

A number of mathematics courses serve to give a foundation for analytic and quantitative reasoning vital to any general education program. The lowest level mathematics classes that offer college level credit are college mathematics and college algebra. These courses are popular choices for many students on campus. The general education program for all associates and bachelors degrees on campus requires one of these courses or a higher level mathematics course. Well prepared students may opt to substitute a higher level mathematics course for this requirement (e.g. trigonometry, precalculus, survey of calculus, finite mathematics, probability and statistics, or calculus I). Many majors require a more advanced course as their general education requirement or they require additional mathematics courses beyond college algebra.

Some mathematics courses in the department are designed for targeted audiences. For example, Structures of Arithmetic and Informal Geometry are specifically designed to help educate future early and middle level educators. Other courses serve multiple purposes; for example, the calculus sequence is used by a variety of majors including future engineers and scientists as well as mathematicians. Probability and Statistics can be applied in nearly every field and is a popular choice for a required or elective course. Be sure to check your chosen degree plan for details of the mathematics courses required or recommended by your program. For help in choosing your first mathematics course click here:

Choosing Your First Mathematics Course

Pre-College Level Mathematics

Some of our students enter college unprepared to take college level mathematics. Pre-college level mathematics is also offered through the college preparatory department for those students needing help getting ready for college level mathematics.

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