Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences

450 Mathematical Sciences, 419-372-2636

Although it is an ancient academic discipline, mathematics is still one of today's most dynamic and influential fields. One aspect of mathematics consists of abstract ideas and challenging problems; recent successes include the proofs of the Poincaré Conjecture, the Sphere-Packing Conjecture, and Fermat's Last Theorem. The other aspect of mathematics is its use in other human endeavors, where its impact is stunning. Mathematics has always been indispensable in commerce, physics, and engineering. In recent years, mathematics has driven developments in telecommunications, medicine, computers, finance, insurance, weather forecasting, car and airplane design, and many more. All of the mathematics courses in the major introduce new ways of thinking and develop discipline in thinking carefully and expressing this thought through problem solutions or carefully written arguments.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in mathematics are expected to:

• Understand what mathematics and statistics are, how they are done, and how they relate to other disciplines;
• Use the language of mathematics and statistics to communicate basic ideas, techniques, and results;
• Objectively and critically evaluate information and assess performance, using mathematical ideas;
• Demonstrate appreciation for the beauty, utility, and impact of mathematics and statistics;
• Apply mathematical problem-solving techniques in novel situations;
• Use appropriate technology to attack a wide variety of mathematical tasks successfully.

Major, Bachelor of Arts (35 hours) - minor required - Spring 2020 course requirements

To graduate with a major in mathematics, a grade point average of 2.0 or better is required in those courses used to meet the requirements for the major.

Major, Bachelor of Science (35 hours) - minor required - Spring 2020 course requirements

To graduate with a major in mathematics, a grade point average of 2.0 or better is required in those courses used to meet the requirements for the major.

Applied Mathematics (38 hours) - minor required - Spring 2020 course requirements

This specialization emphasizes the scientific computing and modeling aspects of applied mathematics. The minimum grade point average in specialization courses is 2.0. A minor or double major in computer science or physics is recommended.

Actuarial Science (61 - 62 hours) - no minor required - Spring 2020 course requirements

This specialization is only available in the B.S. degree. This specialization is intended for students interested in a career as an insurance or pension actuary.

Data Science (44-49 hours) - minor required - Spring 2020 course requirements

Minors

Math Minor (22 - 23 hours)

A mathematics minor can be a real asset to other majors. Economists use math, sociologists and psychologists need a firm command of statistics and political scientists, historians, philosophers, and English majors use logical reasoning.

• MATH 1310, 2320 (10)
• MATH 2330 or 2350 (3-4)
• MATH 3320 and two electives at the 3000-4000 level (9)

*Except MATH 3950, 4140, 4150, 4170, 4700, 4890, 4900, 4950

Data Science Minor (15 hours)

Data Science integrates mathematics, statistics, and computer science to prepare students to fill the rapidly expanding need for data scientists. The data science, statistics, and programming coursework gives students a foundation in data collection, manipulation, exploration and visualization that are relevant for analyzing and manipulating voluminous and/or complex data.

The set of courses that fulfills the minor requirements will total 15 hours. Depending on their major, students may also need to complete prerequisite courses in order to take the courses that fulfill the minor requirements. Prerequisites are listed below in parentheses.

Courses used to fulfill Data Science minor requirements may not be used to fulfill major requirements. Students, especially those majoring in one of Data Science's main constituent areas (Mathematics, Computer Science, Business), should work with an advisor to ensure that they complete a sufficient number of minor courses that do not also count in the major.

Core (two courses)

• MATH 3430 Computing with Data (prerequisite: MATH 1310 or MATH 1350; CS 2010)
  
• MATH 3440 Statistical Programming (prerequisite: MATH 3430)

Electives (three courses total):

Choose one course from this group:

• MATH 2470 Fundamentals of Statistics (prerequisite: BA 1600 or MATH 1260 or MATH 1310 or MATH 1350)
• MATH 3410 Principles of Probability and Statistics (prerequisite: MATH 1310 or MATH 1350; MATH 2320)
• MATH 4410 Probability and Statistics I (Pre/corequisite: MATH 2330 or MATH 2350)
• MATH 4470 Exploratory Data Analysis (prerequisite: MATH 2470 or MATH 3410 or MATH 4410)
• BA 2120 Business Analytics IV: Predictive Analytics (prerequisites: MATH 1310 or MATH 1340; BA 2110)
  

Choose two courses from this group:

• MATH 4320 Linear Algebra with Applications (prerequisites: MATH 2220 or MATH 2320 or CS 2020; MATH 3320)
• MATH 4420 Probability and Statistics II (prerequisite: MATH 4410)
• MATH 4440 Statistical Learning (prerequisite: MATH 4410)
• STAT 4020 Regression Analysis* (prerequisite: BA 2120 or MATH 4410)
• STAT 4160 Time Series Analysis* (prerequisite: MATH 4410)
• STAT 4440 Data Mining in Business Analytics (prerequisites: BA 2120, BA 3800)
• CS 4200 Artifical Intelligence Methods (prerequisites: MATH 2220 or MATH 3220; CS 2010, CS 2020, CS 3350)
• CS 4620 Database Management Systems (prerequisites: CS 2010, CS 2020)

*Students in the College of Business who are not yet admitted to the Business Core are not eligible to enroll in STAT 4020 or STAT 4160.

Other programs
Programs in mathematics education at the secondary and middle childhood levels are offered by the College of Education and Human Development.