The Major

The requirements for a degree provide the student with maximum flexibility in designing an overall course of study to meet his or her scientific, educational, and career goals. The beginning courses emphasize computational skills, problem solving, and the understanding of basic concepts. As students progress, they must solve problems that are less and less routine and more abstract or intricate. Some upper-level courses emphasize proofs and the understanding of abstract structures, while others emphasize advanced computational methods or the formulation and analysis of mathematical or statistical models of reality. A number of the courses involve the use of computers in a fundamental manner in the development of the material covered.

Specific requirements for a major in mathematics are given in 1-6 below. All courses used to satisfy these requirements must be completed with a passing grade, but not with a “P.” A cumulative quality point average of at least 2.000 is required in all Mathematics and Statistics courses taken.

1. Differential and integral calculus: MATH 131 and 132, with a grade of C or better in Math 132
2. Multivariable calculus and linear algebra: MATH 233 and 235
3. Introduction to abstract mathematics: MATH 300 or CMPSCI 250 (may be waived by the Chief Undergraduate Adviser for exceptionally well-prepared students)
4. Computer programming: CMPSCI 121 or equivalent
5. Writing in mathematics: MATH 370
6. Completion of the requirements of one of the concentrations detailed below (Applied Mathematics, Actuarial, Individual, Mathematical Computing, Pure Mathematics, Statistics or Teaching). At most four of the courses used to satisfy the concentration requirements may be taken outside the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The chief undergraduate Adviser must approve all such courses taken outside the department. These grades earned in the courses that satisfy the concentration requirement must average C or higher.

The Concentrations

Applied Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for a career as a mathematician in government or industry. Requirements:
Advanced calculus: MATH 425
Differential equations: MATH 331
Linear algebra for applied mathematics: MATH 545
Introduction to scientific computing: MATH 551

At least one of the following courses: MATH 456, MATH 532, MATH 534, MATH 552.  Note: Math 456 is the IE course for this concentration.

At least three additional courses numbered 400 or higher (except STAT 501). With the approval of the chief undergraduate adviser, these may be appropriate courses outside the department.

Actuarial Concentration emphasizes applications to the financial and insurance sectors and is designed to help students meet the standards required for entering the workforce in those fields, including the actuarial sciences. Requirements:
Probability and Statistics: STATISTIC 515 or STATISTIC 515H and STATISTIC 516
Mathematics of Finance: MATH 537
Actuarial Mathematics: MATH 437 or MATH 438
Three Courses from the following list: MATH 331 or 532, MATH 425, MATH 456, MATH 523, MATH 545, MATH 551, STATISTIC 505/697R, STATISTIC 597, FINOPMGT 422

In addition to the Upper Division courses listed above, this concentration requires satisfactory completion of the following courses designed to meet the Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements as set out and approved by the Society of Actuaries:
Economics: ECON 103 and ECON 104
Statistics:  STAT 525
Corporate Finance: FINOPMGT 301

Individually designed concentration permits students, in consultation with their academic adviser, to design their own concentration so as to explore thoroughly a theme in mathematics or statistics or to investigate connections between mathematics and/or statistics and another field, such as biology or economics. An individual concentration must include eight courses numbered 400 or above, of at least three credits each. At least four of these eight courses must be in mathematics or statistics. In consultation with their academic adviser, students propose a plan for the eight courses to be used to fulfill the requirements of the individual concentration. No later than the end of the semester in which students are taking MATH 300 or during the second semester of the students’ sophomore year, whichever comes first, students will: prepare the plan in writing, secure approval of the plan by their adviser, and submit the written plan for approval to the chief undergraduate adviser. No later than the end of the junior year, students review the plan with their academic adviser. If any changes are proposed to the original plan, students will: prepare a revised plan in writing, secure approval of the revised plan by their adviser, and then submit the revised plan for approval to the chief undergraduate adviser.

Teaching Concentration provides the student with the knowledge of mathematics and statistics required by the Commonwealth as an 8-12 teacher of mathematics. Requirements:
Abstract Algebra: MATH 411
Mathematical Modeling: MATH 456
Discrete/finite mathematics: MATH 455
Geometry: MATH 461
Probability and Statistics: STATISTIC 501 followed by STATISTC 515
Use of technology: MATH 471

One additional course numbered 400 or higher (MATH 475, History of Mathematics, is recommended)

Mathematical Computing Concentration prepares the student for careers that require both knowledge of advanced mathematics and extensive knowledge of computer programming. Requirements:
Data Structures: CMPSCI 187
Introduction to abstract mathematics: MATH 300 or CMPSCI 250
Algebra: MATH 411
Probability: STATISTIC 515 or STATISTIC 515H
Numerics: MATH 551
Algorithms: CMPSCI 311
CMPSCI 501 or CMPSCI 575/MATH 513

Two additional courses in the following list: MATH 331, MATH 412, MATH 456, MATH 471, MATH 545, MATH 552, or STAT 516.  The IE course for this concentration is MATH 456.

CS elective (or an upper division Mathematics and Statistics course, not including MATH 455 or STAT 501).

Pure Mathematics Concentration prepares the student for graduate study in mathematics. Requirements:
Abstract Algebra: MATH 411 or MATH 511
Complex variables: MATH 421
Advanced multivariate calculus: MATH 425
Analysis: MATH 523 or MATH 523H
Either MATH 412 or MATH 563H

One applied mathematics course either chosen from the following list or another course with sufficient applied mathematics content approved by the Chief Undergraduate Advisor: MATH 331, MATH 456, MATH 532, MATH 534, MATH 551, MATH 552, STAT 516

At least two additional courses numbered 400 or higher (except STAT 501).  Most students will sect one of these to be MATH 455 to satisfy the IE requirement.  With the approval of the chief undergraduate adviser, these may be appropriate courses outside the department.

Statistics Concentration prepares the student for a career as an applied statistician or for graduate study in statistics. Requirements:
Advanced multivariate calculus: MATH 425
Algebra: MATH 545 (or MATH 411).  MATH 545 will be more useful
Probability and statistics: STATISTC 515 or STATISTIC 515H  and STATISTC 516
One of the following courses: STAT 525 or STAT 526. The IE course on this list is STAT 525.

Three additional courses numbered 400 or higher (or MATH 331). With the approval of the chief undergraduate adviser, these may be appropriate courses outside the department.  Note: STAT 501 cannot be used.

Honors Program
The department also offers a program of study in mathematics leading to higher honors (i.e., cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude) at graduation. Prospective honors students are strongly advised to take MATH 300 as early as possible, as well as the honors sections which are offered throughout the calculus courses. In their senior year, honors students may register for a two-semester Capstone sequence, MATH 499C (fall) and MATH 499D (spring), if offered, or pursue individual projects through MATH/STATISTIC 499P, 499Y, or 499T. For more information, consult the Chief Undergraduate Adviser, tel. (413) 545-2282, Lederle GRT 1521E.