Program Description
The mathematics major program prepares students for graduate school, professional school, and mathematics-related careers. There are two are pathways offered, general mathematics or mathematics with a concentration in statistics. Careers in mathematics include operations research analyst, statistician, mathematics teacher, actuary, physician research scientist, computer scientist, inventory strategist; staff systems air traffic control analyst, cryptologist, attorney, economist, mathematics professor, environmental mathematician, robotics engineer, geophysical mathematician, design, ecologist, and geodesist. Courses leading to licensure in secondary education in mathematics are offered through the education department.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate:
- the ability to use mathematics as a technical tool;
- the skills to solve problems, think critically, and communicate mathematically;
- the ability to use technology, such as graphing calculators and computers, in mathematics applications.
Major Requirements
The major requires a minimum of 51 semester hours (SH) of mathematics courses for the general mathematics curriculum and 60 SH for the mathematics with a concentration in statistics curriculum. Of these, 39 hours are Core requirements; 12 hours can be selected from among other mathematics courses; and an additional 9 hours are in the statistics concentration. Mathematics majors are also required to complete 6 SH of computer programming and 8 SH of physics. The physics courses may be taken as part of the general education requirements. Student must earn a grade of at least C in all mathematics courses taken for the major. A total of 120 hours is required for graduation.
In the case of a student transferring from an accredited college or university, the final 30 hours of general mathematics requirements for the mathematics major should be completed at WSSU.
A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and seeks a second degree in mathematics must complete the following requirements:
a. Complete or receive transfer credit for only those general education courses that are listed as general graduation requirements for the mathematics major.
b. Complete or receive transfer credit for the mathematics and computer science courses required in the major.
c. Complete the final 30 semester hours of general mathematics requirements for the mathematics major at Winston-Salem State University.
Major Courses General Mathematics
Mathematics Core (39 Semester Hours)
MAT 2317 Calculus I
MAT 2318 Calculus II
MAT 2316 Linear Algebra
MAT 2321 Foundations of Modern Mathematics
MAT 3316 Calculus III
MAT 3317 Calculus IV
MAT 3341 Algebraic Structures I
MAT 4342 Algebraic Structures II
MAT 4311 Real Variables I
MAT 4313 Real Variables II
MAT 4301 Differential Equations
MAT 4356 Mathematical Statistics I
Mathematics Major Electives (12 Semester Hours)
Choose 12 hours from among the following courses.
MAT 3312 Biostatistics
MAT 3320 Introduction to Number Theory
MAT 3326 Geometry
MAT 3340 Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MAT 3350 Linear Programming
MAT 3318 Introduction to Biomathematics
MAT 4302 Differential Equations II
MAT 4304 History of Mathematics
MAT 4312 Topology
MAT 4315 Advanced Calculus
MAT 4332 Introduction to Statistical Methods
MAT 4333 Methods of Regression/Analysis of Variance
MAT 4355 Operations Research
MAT 4357 Mathematical Statistics II
MAT 4318 Topics in Biomathematics
Concentration in Statistics (9 Semester Hours)
In addition to the Core requirements the concentration in Statistics requires the following courses
MAT 3312 Biostatistics
MAT 4333 Methods of Regression/Analysis of Variance
MAT 4357 Mathematical Statistics II
Co-Requisite Courses for Mathematics Majors
CSC 1310 Computer Programming I
CSC 1311 Computer Programming II
PHY 3331 Principles of Physics I
PHY 3131 Principles of Physics I Laboratory
PHY 3332 Principles of Physics II
PHY 3132 Principles of Physics II Laboratory
Course Notes
Students wishing to major in mathematics, who are not prepared to enter MAT 2317 Calculus I, should begin the appropriate mathematics sequence 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.
Major Course Sequence
It is suggested that the courses for the major in mathematics should be taken in the following sequence.
MAT 2317 Calculus I
MAT 2318 Calculus II
MAT 2321 Foundations of Mathematics
MAT 3316 Calculus III
CSC 1310 Computer Programming I
CSC 1311 Computer Programming II
MAT 2316 Linear Algebra
MAT 3317 Calculus IV
PHY 3331 Principles of Physics I
PHY 3131 Principles of Physics I Laboratory
MAT 3341 Algebraic Structures I
MAT 4356 Mathematical Statistics I
PHY 3332 Principles of Physics II
PHY 3132 Principles of Physics II Laboratory
MAT 43XX Algebraic Structures II
MAT 4301 Differential Equations
MAT 4311 Real Variables I
MAT 4387 Senior Seminar I
MAT 4313 Real Variables II
MAT 4388 Senior Seminar II
Minor Requirements
Mathematics Minor
Objectives:
1. To develop problem solving, critical thinking, and communication abilities.
2. To provide the basic mathematical foundation for futher 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)
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