Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Supplemental Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Supplemental Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics Major, BS


Program Description

Mathematics is an academic discipline that is committed to developing the critical thinking and problem solving skills of students at Winston-Salem State University both within the major and within the General Education courses. Mathematicians are qualified for a large and diverse set of careers including both the academic and private sectors. Common career paths include employment in analytics, statistics, computer science, cryptology, engineering, etc.  Students learn techniques for solving complex and important problems and to communicate solutions in an effective, logical manner. WSSU offers both a B.S. Mathematics degree and a B.S. Mathematics degree with a concentration in Statistics.

Students enrolled in mathematics degree program will be prepared for careers and future study in mathematical sciences by developing critical thinking and problem solving skills in particular.

Mission

The Department of Mathematics is committed to the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship, and service. We strive to enhance students’ abilities to reason mathematically and to communicate mathematical ideas effectively, as well as to instill in students a desire to continue their involvement in mathematics. We strive to extend mathematical knowledge, to support quality undergraduate and graduate programs, and to disseminate the diversity, coherence, and accomplishments in the discipline.

Departmental Goals

The Department of Mathematics will

  1. Prepare students for careers and future study in the mathematical sciences.
  2. Enhance the goals of liberal education through general education and major course offerings.
  3. Develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills of students throughout the university.
  4. Maintain a high level of scholarship and research.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to apply critical thinking and deductive reasoning to solve problems and present logical arguments to communicate or explain solutions.

2. Students will apply mathematical concepts to solve applied problems in a variety of contexts in preparation for careers in private industry, government, or public service.

3. Students will be able to use technology to visualize problems, facilitate learning, and to assist in solving computational problems.

General Major Requirements 

Completion of the B.S. Mathematics program requires completion of the general education course requirements, the required courses as outlined below, and electives for a minimum total of 120 semester hours (SH). A minimum of 21 SH are required in the Foundation courses in the major, 12 SH of Breadth courses, and 12 SH of Depth courses.  Students are required to complete these with a grade of C- or higher. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) can additionally be used to fulfill general education requirements. Students are also required to complete 4 SH of a laboratory science course and 3 SH of computer programming by completing CSC 1310  . These hours can count towards the fulfillment of the general education requirements. Please see below for the list of approved laboratory science courses.

Students who wish to earn a  B.S. Mathematics with a concentration in Statistics will complete the same requirements for the B.S. Mathematics, but are required to take courses marked with (**) among their courses.

Please note that students wishing to major in mathematics, who are not prepared to enter MAT 2317  Calculus I, should begin with MAT 1401  as part of the general education curriculum.

Majors may, through the department chair, petition for an examination to be exempted from a non-laboratory mathematics course. A student must present sufficient documentation to support the petition. Proficiency exams are administered during the final examination period only. Credit, but no grade, will be granted for courses that the department determines may be bypassed as a result of exemption by the examination. 

Foundation Courses – 28 Hours

The foundation of mathematics is comprised of several areas, including calculus, algebra, computer programming, and differential equations.  The following courses are required at WSSU to assist the student foundational for further study in the breadth and depth of Mathematics.

MAT 2321   Foundations of Modern Mathematics

MAT 2317   Calculus I*

MAT 2318   Calculus II*

MAT 3316   Calculus III

MAT 3317   Calculus IV

MAT 2316   Linear Algebra

MAT 4301   Differential Equations I

CSC 1310   Computer Programming I*

                  Approved Lab Science Courses:(General Education Courses) 

PHY 2331  /PHY 2131  General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory*

PHY 1321  /PHY 1121  College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory*

BIO 1301  /BIO 1101  Biological Concepts and Biological Concepts Laboratory*

CHE 1313  /CHE 1113  General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory*

Other courses which include a laboratory component may be considered at the discretion of the department.

                

Breadth Courses – 12 hours

Within the expansive field of mathematics, multiple pathways allow WSSU students to explore courses in both theoretical and applied mathematics including analysis, modern algebra, differential equations, and statistics.  Please note that students fulfilling the Statistics concentrations must take the courses designated **.

MAT 3310   Prob & Statistics I

MAT 3311   Prob & Statistics II

MAT 3312   Biostatistics**

MAT 3318   Introduction to Biomathematic

MAT 3320   Introduction to Number Theory

MAT 3326   Geometry

MAT 3340   Introduction to Numerical Analysis

MAT 3341   Algebraic Structures I

MAT 3350   Linear Programming

MAT 4302   Differential Equations II

MAT 4304   History of Mathematics

MAT 4311   Real Variables I1

MAT 4315   Advanced Calculus1

MAT 4318  Topics in Biomathematics

MAT 4332   Introduction to Statistical Methods

MAT 4333   Methods of Regression/Analysis of Variance**

MAT 4355   Operations Research

MAT 4360   Introduction to Survey Sampling

MAT 4365   Applied Nonparametric Statistics

1 Credit is not allowed for more than one of MAT 4311  and MAT 4315  

Depth Courses – 12 Hours

The mathematics program allows for students the opportunity to go in depth within the discipline by taking more profound courses in the area of analysis, algebra, and statistics. Students may also choose to work with faculty members in their chosen pathway through seminar courses.

MAT 4312   Topology

MAT 4313   Real Variables II

MAT 4330   Directed Study Seminar

MAT 4342   Algebraic Structures II

MAT 4387   Senior Seminar I

MAT 4388   Senior Seminar II

MAT 4356   Mathematical Statistics I**

MAT 4357   Mathematical Statistics II**

MAT 4370   Introduction to Experimental Design**

Mathematics Minor

Objectives:

1.    To develop problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.

2.    To provide the basic mathematical foundation for further study in mathematics and related fields.

3.    To prepare minors for career requiring a high degree of mathematical proficiency. 

Course Requirements:

A program of study for the mathematics minor requires a minimum of 18 semester hours of mathematics, beginning with Calculus I. In addition to Calculus I, students are required to complete Calculus II, Calculus III, Linear Algebra, and six hours of mathematics courses at the sophomore level or higher with a grade of C- or higher. MAT 2326 and MAT 2333 do not satisfy the requirements for the mathematics minor. The courses required of mathematics minors are as follows:

MAT 2317   Calculus I

MAT 2318   Calculus II

MAT 3316   Calculus III

MAT 2316   Linear Algebra

MAT x3xx Mathematics Elective (sophomore, junior, or senior level)

MAT x3xx Mathematics Elective (sophomore, junior, or senior level)