Mathematics

Great jobs are available for mathematicians. Men with degrees in mathematics have the second highest median earnings, while the earnings of females rank in the top ten (Monthly Labor Review, December 1995). Jobs in the mathematical sciences--pure and applied mathematics, operations research, statistics, management science, teaching, and agricultural science--are considered the "best" jobs when one considers such critical factors as income, physical demands, security, stress, and work environment. In fact, almost all of the top fifty jobs require a significant amount of mathematical reasoning and knowledge (Jobs Rated Almanac, 1995). In addition, employment opportunities for mathematicians are expected to increase rapidly through the year 2005.

The Department of Mathematics prepares students for job opportunities as well as for graduate school. In addition to the degree in pure math and secondary education, students can receive training in other mathematical areas such as finance, actuarial science and computer science. Also, students can minor in mathematics.

Excellent classroom instruction combined with a holistic view of the student is the major emphasis of the department. Faculty members work closely with math majors and assist them in writing resumes, obtaining internships, and finding jobs and/or graduate schools. In addition, the department houses two state-of-the art multimedia computer labs which utilize the most up-to-date software.

There are many activities for students including luncheons with faculty, a math club, an outreach tutorial service, help sessions in algebra and calculus staffed by faculty, and opportunities for involvement in research, math contests, and community-interest projects.

The table below contains the curriculum in mathematics. A student may graduate in mathematics with a focus area in applied mathematics: the freshman and the sophomore courses are the same; the remaining courses must be coordinated with the student's advisor.
 
 

MATHEMATICS
Total Hours: 129

FRESHMAN YEAR Biological Sciences Communications 135 Computer Science 112, 212 English 105, 115 Mathematics 201, 2211, 222 Humanities (Dance, Drama,  Fine Arts, or Music)	Sem. Hrs. 4 3 6 6 11 3 33	SOPHOMORE YEAR Economics 201 or 202 English (approved elective) Mathematics 223, 235, 254 Physics 261, 261L, 262, 262L2 Approved Electives (Anthropology, Geography,  Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology) History (Approved elective)	Sem. Hrs. 3 3 10 8 6 3 33
JUNIOR YEAR Chemistry English 325 Foreign Language3 Mathematics 260, 331, 332, 355 Electives5	Sem. Hrs. 4 3 6 12 6 31	SENIOR YEAR Mathematics (two-semester sequence)4 Mathematics 498 Sciences 485 Electives5 Chemistry or Astronomy	Sem. Hrs. 6 3 1 18 4 32

1Students not prepared to begin with Mathematics 221 should take Mathematics 121 and/or 122 as electives.
2This sequence fulfills the University's general education requirement for a two-semester sequence in science.
3Work must be in one language.
4The sequence may be any one of the following: MATH 420, 421; MATH 436, 437; MATH 451, 452; MATH 455, 456; or MATH 461,462.
5For the electives, at least 18 hours must be selected in 300- or 400-level courses, which usually have prerequisites. Electives may not include mathematics courses below 200 (with the exception of MATH 121 and 122), PHSC 105, 106, and 201, or more than three semester hours of service courses.

Mathematics Minor: The student who chooses to minor in mathematics must take 21 hours consisting of the following courses: MATH 221, 222, 223 (12 hours), and 9 hours of Math at the 300-level or above. Individual plans for minors must be coordinated and approved by the chair of the Mathematics Department.