Mathematics Major (Bachelor of Science)

A student majoring in mathematics must complete 60 quarter hours in the major, consisting of the core requirements and at least 26 credits of electives. In addition, the student must complete the required cognates, the general studies program, and all baccalaureate degree requirements as outlined in this bulletin. Senior students are required to take the Major Field Test (MFT) in mathematics.

Core Requirements:

MATH 171Calculus I

4

MATH 172Calculus II

4

MATH 239Introduction to Linear Algebra

4

MATH 250Discrete Mathematics

4

MATH 273Calculus III

4

MATH 274Calculus IV

4

MATH 286Ordinary Differential Equations

3

MATH 315Probability and Statistics

4

MATH 397Junior Mathematics Seminar

0

MATH 496Senior Mathematics Seminar I

1

MATH 497Senior Mathematics Seminar II

1

MATH 498Senior Mathematics Seminar III

1

Electives (14 must be upper division)

26

Total Credit Hours:60
*Electives: must include at least two of MATH 451, MATH 452, MATH 461, or MATH 462.
Students should consult the Career Pathways section below before selecting electives, which  must be chosen in consultation with and approved by the student’s assigned academic advisor. Credit will not be given for mathematics courses with numbers below 171. Students seeking a teaching endorsement should consult with the certification officer in the School of Education and Psychology.

Cognate:

CPTR 141Fundamentals of Programming I

4

or

CPTR 230Computing for Insight

4

Select two of the following five sequences:

BIOL 141General Biology

4

BIOL 142General Biology

4

BIOL 143General Biology

4

or

CHEM 141General Chemistry

3

CHEM 142General Chemistry

3

CHEM 143General Chemistry

3

CHEM 144General Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 145General Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 146General Chemistry Laboratory

1

or

PHYS 251Principles of Physics

3

PHYS 252Principles of Physics

3

PHYS 253Principles of Physics

3

PHYS 254Principles of Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS 255Principles of Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS 256Principles of Physics Laboratory

1

or

CPTR 142Fundamentals of Programming II

4

CPTR 242Sequential and Parallel Data Structures and Algorithms

4

One Additional CPTR Course

3-4

or

ECON 210Principles of Microeconomics

4

ECON 211Principles of Macroeconomics

4

FINA 351Managerial Finance

4

Career Pathways

The following lists of themed electives suggest ways students can select one or more career pathway. Other electives should be selected on consultation with an academic advisor.

Actuarial Science:
Students pursuing a career in Actuarial Science should take the Economics cognate sequence and prepare to take the required professional examinations. Exam P is often taken between the junior and senior year while Exam FM is generally taken near graduation.  Exam P covers the probability topics covered in MATH 315 and MATH 316, so MATH 316 should be taken as an elective. Students will also find MATH 215 helpful. Exam FM covers financial mathematics, and students should take FINA 441/ECON 441 in preparation. Later actuarial exams cover economics, accounting and finance, so electives including ACCT 201, ACCT 202, and FINA 365 are recommended.

Careers in Data Science:
Students interested in careers in data science should select electives that include MATH 215, MATH 316, and CPTR 330. Note that CPTR 330 can be taken for elective MATH credit.

Graduate School in Mathematics:
Students interested in graduate school in mathematics are encouraged to select electives that include MATH 389, MATH 452, and MATH 462. There are some graduate programs for which it would be helpful to have an introductory knowledge of French or German.

Science and Applied Mathematics:
Students interested in applying mathematics in scientific and technical disciplines should select electives that include MATH 215, MATH 341, MATH 351, and MATH 413.

Secondary Teaching:
Students preparing for secondary teaching in Mathematics must take MATH 215, MATH 321, and MEDU 395 in order to complete certification.