Apr 18, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics, B.A.


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The program is designed to prepare students for graduate study or a career in a mathematical field. The program offers a more traditional track in pure mathematics as well as an applied math alternative track. As such, the program conforms to the guidelines of the Mathematical Association of America, and in addition gives students material and tools of theory, abstraction and inquiry that would be useful in a graduate mathematics program.

Pure Track Major Requirements (48 Total Credits)


Required Courses (36 Credits):


Elective Courses (8 Credits):


Two electives numbered MAT 242  or higher,except MAT 277 (M) and MAT 313  

Supporting Course:


Applied Track Major Requirements (60 Total Credits)


Concentration Requirements


In addition to the above required courses, a 16 credit concentration in a related discipline is required. A related discipline may be chosen from the following:

  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science (16 credits in addition to the 8 required COS credits)
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Physics
  • Psychology

A student may tailor a concentration under the guidance of his/her advisor with approval from the Mathematics and Computer Science division.

World Language Requirement


For specific information about world language requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements  in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

General Education Requirements


For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements  in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 128


Learning Goals and Assessment


Learning Goals:

  • Students will explain how they know mathematical truths, and prove some of the basic ones.
  • Students will express mathematical ideas verbally and in writing.
  • Students will identify major mathematicians and explain and critique the major ideas of mathematics.
  • Students will apply problem-solving techniques to problems they have never seen before.
  • Students will be familiar with the application of technology in mathematics.

Assessment Criteria:

  • Students will identify the properties and graphs of the elementary functions: that is, polynomials, rational functions, exponential functions, logarithms, trigonometric functions and their inverses, and hyperbolic functions.
  • Students will differentiate combinations of elementary functions, including functions of several variables. Students will be able to apply all of the basic integration techniques.
  • Students will perform what might be thought of as the core skills of linear algebra: in particular, matrix and vector calculations, for instance, determination of whether a set of vectors is linearly independent, or mutually orthogonal.
  • Students will solve problems from probability involving set theory, combinations and permutations, and probability distributions.
  • Students will use the basic ideas of statistics, including identifying methods for attacking various statistical problems.
  • Students will use logic and set theory in other areas of mathematics, in particular to understanding and proving statements in abstract algebra and elsewhere.
  • Students will apply mathematical ideas to problems from other disciplines.

Pure Track - Students will be able to prove mathematical theorems requiring complex arguments.

Applied Track - Students will be able to apply mathematical and/or statistical modeling to a discipline of special emphasis chosen by the student.

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