Dec 21, 2024

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Mathematics (B.S.)

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Program: B.S.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
College of Science

Kettler Hall 200 ~ 260-481-6821

Programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics help you prepare for employment in business and industry, teaching in secondary schools, or study for advanced degrees.

A Mathematics major prepares you for work in fields where a strong quantitative background is required, as well as for graduate study in the mathematical sciences. In addition, if you choose to pursue a second major in secondary education, then you will be prepared to teach mathematics in middle/high school.

For information on earning a Research Certificate in Mathematics, see the Program Descriptions section in this catalog.

For details on pursuing a secondary education second degree (BSEd) to teach Mathematics in middle school/high school, click on the links to the Secondary Education - Second Degree Program and the School of education page in this catalog. Note: The BSEd as a second degree in these programs cannot be earned without completion of the bachelor’s degree in the content area from the College of Science. See Program Requirements below for a link to the Secondary Education - Second Degree 4-Year Plan.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree:

students will be able to reason mathematically and be good problem solvers.
students will understand the role mathematics has played in solving important problems in a variety of disciplines, e.g. physics, engineering, and business.
students who complete the Mathematics major will understand the fundamental concepts in algebra and analysis, and the value of mathematical proofs, and be able to do simple proofs.
students who pursue the double degree in secondary education will have mastered the fundamental concepts necessary to obtain certification to teach mathematics in the secondary schools.

Program Delivery:

This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

Declare this major within the Department of Mathematical Sciences

General Requirements:

To earn a B.S. with a major in Mathematics, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above.

Program Requirements:

Mathematics BS 4-Year Plan:

An overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required for the major.
New MA courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy Core (major) requirements
New STAT courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy Core (major) requirements
Stricter GPA requirements apply for the double degree in secondary education - see Secondary Education for details.

Mathematics BS with Secondary Education 4-Year Plan:

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description. Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major. A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

Supporting Courses:

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

ENGL 23301 (or a college-approved equivalent: ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, or WOST 23000). This course is in addition to the General Education writing course (ENGL 13100 or equivalent).
COM 11400 (or the college-approved equivalent: HIST 12500).

Both courses require a grade of C- or better

Language: Credits 6

Two courses at the first-year level in a single International Language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).

Note: if you begin these courses at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you and your advisor are eligible to apply for special course credits after successful completion of the course into which you placed. Non-native English speaking students and those with other language transfer credits should contact the College’s Student Success Center.

Student Success Seminar: Credit 1

MA 10500 - Freshman Success Seminar Cr. 1.

Core (Major) Courses: Credits 45-46

Of the MA courses numbered below 26100, only 16500, 16600, and 17500 apply toward the major.
STAT courses must be numbered 49000 or higher to be counted toward the major.
You must have a grade-point average of 2.0 or better with at most one passing grade less than 1.5 in courses used to fulfill the major requirements.
MA 16500 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus I Cr. 4.
MA 16600 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus II Cr. 4.
MA 26100 - Multivariate Calculus Cr. 4.
MA 17500 - Introduction To Discrete Mathematics Cr. 3.
MA 31400 - Introduction To Mathematical Modeling Cr. 3.
MA 35100 - Elementary Linear Algebra Cr. 3.
MA 36300 - Differential Equations Cr. 3.
MA 45300 - Elements Of Algebra I Cr. 3.
MA 46000 - Geometry Cr. 3.
MA 44100 - Real Analysis Cr. 3. or
MA 58000 - History Of Mathematics Cr. 3.
STAT 51100 - Statistical Methods Cr. 3. or
STAT 51600 - Basic Probability And Applications Cr. 3. or
ECE 30200 - Probabilistic Methods In Electrical And Computer Engineering Cr. 3.
CS 11400 - Introduction To Visual Programming Cr. 3. or
CS 16000 - Introduction To Computer Science I Cr. 4. or
ECE 22900 - C Programming For Electrical And Computer Engineering Cr. 3.

Math Elective Courses: Credits 6-7

Choose two courses from the following list:

MA 27300 - Introduction To Financial Mathematics Cr. 3.
MA course at the 3000+ level or higher
STAT course at the 4900+ level or higher
CHM 38300 - Physical Chemistry Cr. 4.
CS 38400 - Numerical Analysis Cr. 3.
CS 48600 - Analysis Of Algorithms Cr. 3.
CS 48800 - Theory Of Computation Cr. 3.
CS 54300 - Introduction To Simulation And Modeling Of Computer Systems Cr. 3.
CS 57200 - Heuristic Problem Solving Cr. 3.
ECE 31100 - Electric And Magnetic Fields Cr. 3.
ME 32100 - Heat Transfer Cr. 3.
ME 33100 - System Dynamics Cr. 3.

Science Courses: Credits 11

Choose three science courses under the following subject codes. Two of the courses chosen must include a lab:

ANTH (Anthropology) Note: Only ANTH 20001 - Bioanthropology Cr. 3.
ASTR (Astronomy)
BIOL (Biology)
CHM (Chemistry) Note: Credit given for CHM 11100 or CHM 11500 but not both
GEOG (Geography)
EAPS (Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences)
NUTR (Nutrition) Note: Only NUTR 30300 - Essentials of Nutrition Cr. 3.
PHYS (Physics)

General Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.