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:
- Prepare students for careers and future study in the mathematical sciences.
- Enhance the goals of liberal education through general education and major course offerings.
- Develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills of students throughout the university.
- 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 - Computer Programming I . 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 2417 - Calculus I , should begin with MAT 1401 - Precalculus and Trigonometry 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 - 24 credit 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.
Approved Lab Science Courses- 4 credit hours
(General Education Courses)
Total Credit Hours: 28 (Foundation Courses + Approved Lab Science Courses)
Breadth Courses
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 **.
Depth Courses- 12 credit 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.
Concentration in Statistics- 15 credit hours
Statistics is based on the science of gathering and analyzing numerical data to draw conclusions, whether about the data as a whole or subsets of data taken from representative samples. Statistical methods and thinking help professions and entities to think critically about the data and information of their product.
Those who are employed as statisticians help streamline, communicate, and provide context and insight into data. They use mathematical models as essential predictive tools and frameworks for analyzing data and its variations. Statisticians solve real-world problems in the professional arena.
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