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Applied Mathematics Major

Overview

Two degrees in Applied Mathematics are offered: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science.

B.A. in Applied Mathematics is recommended for those students who are pursuing another quantitatively rich major which they consider their primary interest. The toolkit of applicable mathematical methods will enable them to advance further in their own field, whether in industry or in academia.

B.S. in Applied Mathematics is recommended for those students who intend to pursue a career in a field that requires advanced mathematical training, often beyond an undergraduate degree. Students who plan to pursue graduate study in applied mathematics should obtain the B.S. degree and consider taking at least one first-year graduate (600-level) course.

Students who consider majoring in applied mathematics are strongly encouraged to talk to a mathematics major advisor as soon as possible. There are no prerequisites for declaring the applied mathematics major.

Preliminary and extra-disciplinary requirements for both B.A and B.S. degrees

1. Complete 18 credits in the following classes with no grade below a C: MAT 295, 296, 331, 397, and MAT 275 or CIS 275. These courses are prerequisites for most upper-division courses. The following sequence is recommended: MAT 295 in the first semester; MAT 296 in the second semester; MAT 331, 397 in the third semester; and MAT 275/CIS 275 when appropriate. However, a student with knowledge of trigonometry and a year of high school calculus may be able to enter the sequence at MAT 296 or even MAT 397; a student with less preparation may be advised to complete MAT 194 before beginning the calculus sequence. Students considering becoming mathematics majors are strongly encouraged to talk to a mathematics major advisor as soon as possible to ensure appropriate selection of courses.
2. Complete a course in computing such as CPS 196, ECS 102 or ECS 104. A similar course may be substituted with advisor's approval.
3. Complete two sequences of two approved science courses outside of the mathematics department, such as BIO 121-123, CHE 106(107)-116 (117), PHY 211(221)-212(222), ECN 203-302, ECN 203-311, ECS 221-222, ELE 231-232, or another, more advanced sequence with the approval of a mathematics major advisor. This requirement is waived if the student earns either (i) a minor in Applied Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering disciplines, Information Management & Technology, or Physics, or (ii) a major in one of natural sciences, engineering/technology disciplines, economics or finance.

B.A. Degree Requirements

In addition to the preliminary and extra-disciplinary requirements described above, the student must earn credit for the following courses, with a grade average of at least 2.0.

• Three required courses: MAT 414, MAT 532 (or 531), and MAT 581.
• Two courses chosen out of one of the following groups:
  • Differential and Linear Equations: MAT 511, 517, 518, 682
  • Analysis: MAT 412, 511, 512, 513, 554
  • Probability and Statistics: MAT 521, 525, 526
  With consent of the mathematics major advisor, these grouping may be altered.
• 3 credits of elective mathematics courses: MAT 412 or those MAT courses numbered 490 or higher. With prior approval of the student's major advisor, a mathematically rich 500+ level course in another department may be substituted for the mathematics elective.

B.S. Degree Requirements

Students interested in pursuing the B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics obtain, in advance, the approval of a mathematics major advisor and the department chair of a petition to the effect that the upper-division courses to be taken satisfy the requirement for a B.S. degree.

In addition to the preliminary and extra-disciplinary requirements described above, the student must earn credit for the following courses, with a grade average of at least 2.0.

• Differential Equations sequence: MAT 414 and MAT 517.
• Numerical Methods course: MAT 581.
• First course in each of the sequences in Table 1.
• Second course in one of the sequences in Table 1.

• 9 credits of elective mathematics courses numbered 490 or higher. With prior approval of the student's major advisor, mathematically rich 500+ level courses in other departments may be substituted for the mathematics electives.