Mathematics Major
G. Rudolph Gordh, Jr., Professor, Chair
Elwood G. Parker, Professor
Benjamin Marlin, Associate Professor
Jonathan Hatch, Assistant Professor
Daniel Katz , Assistant Professor
Mathematics is better learned by doing than by observing, so active student participation is encouraged in all programs. Since the opportunity for students to work with faculty individually and in small groups is also of utmost importance, numerous small classes and seminars are provided. Students majoring in mathematics are encouraged to discover areas in which they have both talent and interest, to gain familiarity with a wide range of mathematical areas, and to acquire deeper knowledge of some mathematical specialty.
The Department serves other academic areas through courses in elementary functions and calculus, statistics, mathematics for the liberal arts, and mathematics for prospective teachers.
Degree Offered
The Bachelor of Science is offered in mathematics.
Major Requirements
The major requires a minimum of 32 credit hours (eight courses) in mathematics courses or seminars numbered above 120.
1. MATH 225 Multivariable Calculus |
4 credits |
2. MATH 231 Foundations of Mathematics |
4 credits |
3. Math 325 Linear Algebra or Math/PHYS 320 Mathematical Physics |
4 credits |
4. One course from: |
4 credits |
MATH 335 Topology |
|
MATH 430 Algebraic Structures |
|
MATH 435 Real Analysis |
|
MATH 475 Seminar in Mathematics |
|
5. One course from: |
4 credits |
MATH 310 Probability and Statistics |
|
MATH 412 Discrete Mathematics II |
|
MATH 415 Numerical Analysis |
|
MATH 475 Seminar in Mathematics |
|
6-8. Three MATH courses above 120 |
12 credits |
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in mathematics |
32 credits |
Many majors emphasize a particular area of mathematics in their course work. Those emphasizing theoretical mathematics have been notably successful in graduate study at respected universities; majors who wish to prepare for graduate school should take MATH 335 Topology, MATH 430 Algebraic Structures and MATH 435 Real Analysis.
Other students emphasize applied mathematics in preparation for advanced study in areas other than mathematics; such majors should include MATH 310 Probability and Statistics and an advanced seminar MATH 475 on an applied topic of interest in their programs.
Students preparing to teach mathematics in secondary schools should take MATH 235 Geometry, MATH 310 Probability and Statistics and MATH 430 Algebraic Structures.
The most frequent double or joint major with mathematics is physics; students pursuing this option should take MATH /PHYS 320 Mathematical Physics and an advanced seminar (MATH 475) on further topics in mathematical physics.
Mathematics majors are frequently double or joint majors. Such majors that allow students to pursue other strong interests in any other discipline and relate them to mathematics are encouraged by the department.