2008-2009 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2008-2009 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics, BS


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The Department of Mathematics offers a curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics is well-suited for those students aiming toward a career in applied mathematics or planning for graduate school in applied mathematics. This program is also appropriate for those mathematics students who have not yet decided between a teaching career or a career in industry.

Modern industrial and scientific enterprises are so dependent on advanced mathematical concepts that applied mathematicians are needed today by almost all concerns that are engaged in such work. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to give training in mathematics and in engineering and science. The use of numerical methods and computers is included.

 Normally, a graduate of mathematics who accepts a position in the private or public sector will be working as part of a team to solve applied problems outside of mathematics. Seldom is this problem purely one in mathematics. Because of this, an applied mathematician needs a working knowledge of another discipline, and so each graduate of the BS in Mathematics program must complete a secondary area requirement. This secondary emphasis area is in a specific engineering, computer science, or applied science department. The choice of a secondary area must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Foreign languages are encouraged for students interested in research. A maximum of 8 hours of foreign languages may be taken and applied to the approved electives requirements. German, French and Russian are the approved languages.

General Requirements

  • 42 semester hours in Mathematics
  • 18 semester hours in Basic Science and Technology
  • 18 semester hours in Secondary Area Requirements, of which 9 hours must be 300 level or higher
  • A minimum 2.0 on each required mathematics course
  • A CU minimum GPA of 2.0
  • An Exit Interview with the Mathematics department is required prior to graduation.

Required Courses


Restricted Mathematics Elective Sequences (6 Credits)


One of the following:

BS Secondary Area Requirements


Secondary area requirements may be done in any one of the following ways:

Departmental Course Work: Select classes from one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or Psychology. Courses used for general education requirements may be counted towards this requirement.

Interdisciplinary Secondary Areas: Complete one of the interdisciplinary secondary area programs that have been approved by the department. At present, there are two such programs: System Science and Engineering and Actuarial Science (see Below).

Personalized Secondary Program: Design a personalized secondary area program that may include courses from departments other than those listed in above, and/or may be interdisciplinary in nature. Such a program MUST have the approval of the faculty advisor from the Mathematics Department.

LAS General Education Requirements for Math BS Students


Humanities:


Math BS students should select PHIL 344 Symbolic Logic or PHIL 443 Logical Theory as part of their LAS Humanities general education area requirements; Natural Science Area Requirement: The required courses PES 111, 112, and 116 apply to this requirement. An additional three hours are needed.

Social Sciences:


Mathematics BS students should select from the LAS Social Sciences area general education courses; BS Secondary Teaching Options Candidates should include PSY 100, General Psychology, as part of the requirements. Writing Requirements: Mathematics BS students should complete ENG 131 and ENG 141, Rhetoric and Writing I and II.

Free Electives:


Mathematics BS students should take a number of courses in computer science to prepare them for the various career options in mathematics. Foreign languages are encouraged for students interested in research. Teachers will fill up all free electives with education courses (students should contact the College of Education for required education courses).

BS Concentrations and Minors


Concentration in System Science and Engineering


Systems science is an approach that views an entire system of components as an entity rather than simply an assembly of individual parts; each component is designed to fit properly with the other components rather than to function by itself. The engineering and mathematics of systems is a rapidly developing field. It is one of the most modern segments of applied mathematics, as well as an engineering discipline. It is concerned with the identification, modeling, analysis, design, and control of systems that are potentially as large and complex as the U.S. economy or as precise and vital as a space voyage. Its interests run from fundamental theoretical questions to the implementation of operational systems. In its mathematical aspects it draws on the most modern and advanced areas of mathematics. At the application end of the spectrum, the systems scientist is a scientist/engineer with a unique and indispensable viewpoint. For example, in the aerospace industry, the systems engineer devises the control and guidance laws, navigational systems, trajectory tracking, and estimating algorithms—indeed the total coordinated structure of complex aerospace undertakings.

Concentration in Actuarial Science


Actuarial Science is a professionally oriented program combining business, economics, and mathematics, and is designed to prepare students to begin careers as actuaries. Actuaries are experts in risk management. Graduates of this program are prepared for the first three professional actuary exams and have a solid base of preparation for further exams. See the Society of Actuaries Web page, http://www.soa.org, for additional information concerning these exams and a career in Actuarial Science.

Program Requirements


To provide a solid foundation for this career and prepare for these three exams, the student should complete the following program:

Note:


Required courses for a system science & engineering concentration.

See math advisor.

Natural Science Area Requirement:


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