Undergraduate Program

The Department of Mathematics offers programs leading to either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. These programs give majors access to a variety of careers, including jobs in industry, government, business, the actuarial profession, teaching at the elementary or secondary levels and, with the appropriate advanced degrees, teaching at the community college, college or university levels.

The mathematics major in the B.A. program takes 11 required courses in mathematics and physics, including courses in calculus, linear algebra and abstract algebra. Math 305, Fundamentals of Advanced Mathematics, is required of all majors. At least four additional advanced mathematics courses are then taken subject to departmental approval.

The mathematics major in the B.S. program takes the same required courses plus courses in computer science and, with departmental approval, four additional advanced mathematics courses and four additional natural science courses. For the B.S. program, distribution requirements are reduced by two courses each in the areas of philosophy, humanities, and the social and behavioral sciences.

The B.S. program in mathematics/secondary education is specifically designed for those who plan careers in teaching at the secondary level. Details are available in the Department of Mathematics.

In the B.A. and B.S. programs, majors must make grades of C- or better in each of the following courses: MATH 501, 503, 505, 506 and 521. Courses in which this C- requirement is not met must be repeated. In addition, a grade average of at least 2.0 is required in the upper-level mathematics courses. For both the B.A. and B.S. programs, the undergraduate comprehensive examination consists of four take-home problems, given each semester during the junior and senior years, for a total of sixteen problems.

A flexible placement procedure is used to enable each entering student to begin the mathematics program at the most suitable level. Students with previous calculus experience should ask the department adviser for placement advice.

To be accepted as a major, a student must have completed MATH 121, 122, 221, 222 and 305 with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students not meeting the grade requirement must request departmental approval.