Mathematics

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the mathematics program is to develop students who understand mathematics as an academic discipline, who can use mathematics as a problem-solving tool in other disciplines, and who are skilled in mathematical reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking and communication.

The mathematics program achieves this purpose when its students

• receive a coherent, broad-based coverage of the discipline of mathematics;
• demonstrate conceptual and procedural understanding of mathematics;
• apply their knowledge to specific, constrained problems and produce solutions;
• possess a foundation of theory that will enable lifelong learning and development;
• meet State Department of Education standards for licensure in the area of mathematics (applies to education majors in mathematics only).

The department offers a major and minor in mathematics. Mathematics is a discipline essential to all facets of the employment world and an excellent background for a variety of specific professions. Secondary teaching licensure is available. Mathematics is also an excellent background for graduate studies in diverse fields.

Mathematics Major

MA 111 Calculus I (4 hours)
MA 112 Calculus II (4 hours)
MA 123 Discrete Mathematics (3 hours)
MA 211 Linear Algebra (3 hours)
MA 212 Calculus III (4 hours)
MA 221 Elementary Applied Statistics (4 hours)
MA 311 Introduction to Analysis (4 hours)
MA 366 Differential Equations (4 hours)
MA 411 Introduction to Algebraic Structures (4 hours)
MA 342 Modern Geometry (4 hours)
MA 375 Junior Seminar (1 hour)
*MA 475 Senior Project (2 hours)

Required Supporting courses (all mathematics majors)

PH 205 College Physics I (5 hours)
PH 206 College Physics II (5 hours)

Total: 51 hours

Mathematics Major for Teacher Licensure

MA 111 Calculus I (4 hours)
MA 112 Calculus II (4 hours)
MA 123 Discrete Mathematics (3 hours)
MA 153 Principles of Geometry (3 hours)
MA 211 Linear Algebra (3 hours)
MA 212 Calculus III (4 hours)
MA 221 Elementary Applied Statistics (4 hours)
MA 366 Differential Equations (4 hours)
MA 411 Introduction to Algebraic Structures (4 hours)
MA 342 Modern Geometry (4 hours)
MA 375 Junior Seminar (1 hour)
*MA 475 Senior Project (2 hours)

Total: 40 hours 

Required Supporting Courses:

PH 205 College Physics I (5 hours)
See Teacher Education Handbook for Curriculum and Instruction course requirements.

Mathematics Minor

Requirements

MA 111 Calculus I (4 hours)
MA 112 Calculus II (4 hours)
MA 221 Elementary Applied Statistics (4 hours)

Plus one course from the following list:
   MA 123 Discrete Math (3 hours)
   MA 153 Principles of Geometry (3 hours)
   MA 201 Survey of Mathematics (3 hours)
   MA 211 Linear Algebra (3 hours)

Plus one course from the following list:
   MA 212 Calculus III (4 hours)
   MA 366 Differential Equations (4 hours)
   MA 342 Modern Geometry (4 hours)
   MA 411 Algebraic Structures (4 hours)

Total: 19 hours

Data Science Minor

Requirements

IT 115 Introduction to Data Science (3 hours)
IT 200 Introduction to Programming (3 hours)
IT 201 Data Structures (3 hours)
IT 215 Data Wrangling and Visualization (3 hours)
IT 315 Exploratory Data Analysis (3 hours)
MA 462 Mathematical Theory of Statistics (4 hours)

Total: 19 hours

Data Analytics Minor

Requirements

IT 115 Introduction to Data Science (3 hours)
IT 215 Data Wrangling and Visualization (3 hours)
MA 211 Linear Algebra (3 hours)

Plus three courses from the following list:
   IT 200 Introduction to Programming (3 hours)
   IT 201 Data Structures (3 hours)
   BI/CH 310 Statistical Data Analysis (3 hours)
   IT 315 Exploratory Data Analysis (3 hours)
   MA 462 Mathematical Theory of Statistics (4 hours)

Biology or Biochemistry Majors may include the following courses on their list: 
       BI 235 Introduction to Biocomputing (3 hours)
       BI 365 Evolution and Ecology (4 hours)

Finance and Accounting Majors may include the following course on their list:  
       BA 426 Financial Analysis (3 hours

Total: 35 hours

MA 105 College Algebra

3 hours
A study of elementary concepts of sets, fundamental properties of the real number system, linear and nonlinear relations, functions and their graphical representations, matrices and determinants, permutations and combinations, and mathematical induction.  (Fall, Spring)

MA 106 Pre-Calculus

4 hours
A detailed study and analysis of algebraic and transcendental functions. Includes their properties, related analytic geometry, limits and continuity. This course is recommended for student who have taken College Algebra with a grade of C or better, or have successfully completed a high school Trigonometry course. (Fall)

MA 110 Survey of Mathematics

3 hours
A study of the philosophy, nature, significance and use of mathematics from early times to the present. Topics may include the use of graph theory to solve optimization problems in management science; conflict resolution using fair division; mathematical analysis of voting systems; applications of geometry to the size and shape of objects and to calculating inaccessible distances; geometric growth and decay; non-Euclidean geometry; number systems; logic; and probability and statistics.  (Fall, odd years and Spring, odd years)

MA 111 Calculus I

4 hours
Review of functions, graphs and models; introduction to limits, derivatives and integrals of algebraic and trigonometric functions; applications of differentiation and integration. Prerequisite: Pre-calculus or significant high school mathematics coursework highly recommended.  (Fall)

MA 112 Calculus II

4 hours
Limits, derivatives and integrals of exponential, logarithmic and inverse trigonometric functions; techniques of integration; calculus of parametric and polar-coordinate equations; infinite sequences and series; first-order differential equations. Prerequisite: MA 111 Calculus I with a grade of C or better. (Spring)

MA 123 Discrete Mathematics

3 hours
A study of some of the basic topics of discrete mathematics, including elementary logic, properties of sets, functions and relations, mathematical induction, counting problems using permutations and combinations, trees, elementary probability, and an introduction to graph theory.  (Fall, even years)

MA 153 Principles of Geometry

3 hours
A coverage of the basic principles of Euclidean geometry. Topics include points, lines, segments, rays, angles, congruence, parallel lines, polygons (special attention is given to triangles and quadrilaterals), geometric similarity, properties of right triangles, area of various plane regions, solid geometry, and an introduction to trigonometry.  (Fall)

MA 211 Linear Algebra

3 hours
An in-depth study of vectors, matrices and vector spaces. Includes systems of equations, eigenvectors and eigenvalues, linear independence, dimension and linear transformations. (Spring)

MA 212 Calculus III

4 hours
Three-dimensional coordinate systems; vectors and vector-valued functions; partial derivatives; multiple integrals; vector calculus; second-order differential equations. Prerequisite: MA 112 Calculus II with a grade of C or better, or instructor approval. (Spring)

MA 221 Elementary Applied Statistics

4 hours
A study of the principles of descriptive statistics, probability, sample and population relationships, estimation, and hypothesis testing. The computer is used as an aid in problem solving. (Fall and Spring)

MA 225 Introduction to Analysis

4 hours
An exploration of the theoretical foundation of calculus with emphasis on proofs. topics include set theory, functions, sequences, open and closed sets, continuity and derivatives. Prerequisite courses: MA 106 (Fall, odd years)

MA 342 Modern Geometry

4 hours
A survey of selected topics in Euclidean geometry, projective geometry, non- Euclidean geometry, foundations of geometry and convex figures. Required for secondary education mathematics majors. Prerequisite: MA 112 Calculus II with a grade of C or better. (Spring, even years)

MA 366 Differential Equations

4 hours
Introduction to methods and applications of ordinary differential equations. Topics include first order differential equations and applications, higher order linear differential equations with applications, Laplace transforms and an introduction to numerical methods. Prerequisite: MA 112 Calculus II with a grade of C or better and MA 211 with a grade of C or better. (Fall, odd years)

MA 375 Junior Seminar

1 hour
A colloquium-type seminar. Junior mathematics majors prepare for an independent senior project in mathematics and select a project topic. (Fall)

MA 411 Algebraic Structures

4 hours
A survey of abstract algebra. Topics include bijections, projections, groups, rings, and fields. Prerequisite: MA 112 Calculus II with a grade of C or better (Spring, odd years)

MA 441 Combinatorics and Graph Theory

3 hours
A study of directed graphs, trees, circuits, paths, network flows, basic combinatorics, generating functions, difference equations. Emphasis on applications and on use of computer in problem solutions. Prerequisite: MA 112 Calculus II with a grade of C or better. (on demand)

MA 462 Mathematical Theory of Statistics

4 hours
The theory and proof of discrete and continuous statistical distributions, including probability mass functions, probability density functions, conditional distributions, independence of variables, joint distributions, and analysis of distributions of means. Prerequisite: MA 112 Calculus II or permission of instructor. Recommended: MA212 (Fall, odd years)

MA 475 Senior Project

2 hours 
Students will investigate an advanced topic in a field of mathematics outside their classroom experience. Students will work in continual consultation with their research advisor. Regular informal oral and written updates of the project are required. The project culminates with a formally written project and a formal oral presentation of the project. (Spring)

Special Course Options
295/495 Field Experience (1-4 hours)
297  Study Abroad (12-16 hours)
299/499 Independent Study (1-4 hours)
388 Career Connections (3-10 hours)
445 Readings and Research (1-4 hours)