The curriculum in mathematical sciences promotes understanding of the mathematical sciences and their structures, uses and relationships to other disciplines. To this end, the scholarly growth of the faculty and students in the mathematical sciences is nurtured through study, research and a high standard of teaching. The curriculum provides a sound foundation for the student seeking to enter a career with a technological orientation or for the student who wishes to pursue graduate study in applied mathematics, biomathematics, mathematics, operations research, statistics, teaching mathematics in secondary schools or related fields.

A Bachelor of Science is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and the Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research. In the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences can choose from one of the four following concentrations:

Mathematical sciences/applied mathematics – concentrates on the analytical and computational techniques necessary to solve many of today’s problems. These methods traditionally had been applied in such areas as chemistry and physics, but now are applied in many other areas.

Mathematical sciences/biomathematics – focuses on the overlap between mathematics and the disciplines of biology and medicine. This concentration covers the mathematical methods of modeling and analysis of phenomena in the life sciences.

Mathematical sciences/mathematics – fosters the understanding of the power and the beauty of pure mathematics and its applications to various branches of knowledge.

Mathematical sciences/secondary teacher preparation – prepares students for teaching mathematics in the secondary schools.

As an alternative to the above concentrations, students may design an individual plan of study with the help of their advisers.

In the Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research, students pursing the Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences can choose from two areas of concentration.

Mathematical sciences/operations research – focuses on modern mathematical techniques for solving problems arising from other fields, such as engineering, business or economics.

Mathematical sciences/statistics – teaches students how mathematical models used in the investigation of uncertain phenomena are developed and applied to experimental and nonexperimental data.

Degree requirements – Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences
Concentrations
Double major
Second baccalaureate degree

Degree requirements – Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences

The B.S. in Mathematical Sciences requires a minimum of 120 credits with at least 41 of those credits in courses labeled MATH, STAT, OPER or CMSC. Along with the general education requirements of the College of Humanities and Sciences and the undergraduate degree requirements, students are required to take core courses and fulfill specific requirements for the degree.

Based on the results of the Mathematics Placement Test, students may be required to take MATH 151 Precalculus Mathematics. No more than one course in mathematics (MATH) at the 100 level can count for the general requirements toward the bachelor’s degree. Credit for 100-level mathematical sciences courses cannot be applied toward the mathematical sciences courses required for the major in mathematical sciences.

Mathematical sciences majors must complete the following requirements:

A. Complete one of the following sequences:
1. BIOL 151 and 152 and BIOZ 151L and 152L Introduction to Biological Science and Laboratory I and II
2. CHEM 101-102 and CHEZ/FRSZ 101L and 102L General Chemistry and Laboratory I and II
3. PHYS 207 and 208 University Physics I and II or PHYS 201-202 General Physics

B. Complete another course in the natural sciences that is not from the general education science and technology list. This course must be in a science different from the sequence chosen in A above.

Mathematics core. All students in the mathematical concentrations are required to take the following courses:
Note: A grade of C or better is required in courses/credits marked with an asterisk (*).
MATH 200-201 Calculus with Analytic Geometry*
MATH 255 Introduction to Computational Mathematics or CMSC 245 Introduction to Using Programming C++
MATH 300 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning*
MATH 307 Multivariate Calculus*
MATH 310 Linear Algebra*
MATH 490 Mathematical Expositions
MATH 507 Analysis I
STAT 212 Concepts of Statistics

Statistics core. All students in the statistical sciences or operations research concentrations must take the following courses:
MATH 200-201 Calculus with Analytic Geometry
MATH 307 Multivariate Calculus
MATH 310 Linear Algebra
STAT 212 Concepts of Statistics
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Concentrations

By completing the listed requirements, students may obtain a designation on their transcripts that their study has emphasized one of the following concentrations. Students may choose to meet the requirements of more than one concentration.

B.S. in Mathematical Sciences/applied mathematics concentration
Note: A grade of C or better is required in courses/credits marked with an asterisk (*).
MATH 301 Differential Equations*
MATH 532 Ordinary Differential Equations I
MATH 437 Partial Differential Equations I
Either MATH 501 Introduction to Abstract Algebra or MATH 525 Introduction to Combinatorial Mathematics
Nine additional upper-level credits in mathematics, statistics, operations research or computer science courses, at least one of which must be at the 500 level, or three credits at the 500 level and complete a minor or a double major.

B.S. in Mathematical Sciences/biomathematics concentration
Note: A grade of C or better is required in courses/credits marked with an asterisk (*).
MATH 301 Differential Equations*
MATH/BNFO/BIOL 380 Introduction to Mathematical Biology
MATH 580-581 Methods of Applied Mathematics for the Life Sciences I-II
MATH 582 Computational Modeling in Mathematical Biology
MATH 585 Biomathematics Seminar:___ (2 credits)
Three additional upper-level credits in mathematics, statistics, operations research or computer science courses or complete a minor or a double major.

B.S. in Mathematical Sciences/mathematics concentration
Note: A grade of C or better is required in courses/credits marked with an asterisk (*).
MATH 301 Differential Equations*
MATH 501 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
MATH 508 Analysis II
MATH 509 General Topology I
MATH 525 Introduction to Combinatorial Mathematics
Six additional upper-level credits in mathematics, statistics, operations research or computer science courses or complete a minor or a double major.

B.S. in Mathematical Sciences/secondary mathematics teacher preparation concentration
MATH/OPER 327 Mathematical Modeling
MATH 504 Algebraic Structures and Functions
MATH 505 Modern Geometry
MATH 530 The History of Mathematics
MATH 554 Using Technology in the Teaching of Mathematics
Six additional upper-level credits in mathematics, statistics, operations research or computer science courses or complete a minor or a double major which could be in education.

B.S. in Mathematical Sciences/operations research concentration
Note: A grade of C or better is required in courses/credits marked with an asterisk (*).
CMSC 245 Introduction to Programming Using C++ or CMSC 255 Introduction to Programming
MATH 211 Mathematical Structures
OPER/MATH 327 Mathematical Modeling* or STAT 503 Introduction to Stochastic Processes*
OPER/STAT 490 Communications in Statistics and Operations Research*
OPER 527 Optimization I*
OPER 528 Stochastic Simulation*
STAT/MATH 309 Introduction to Probability Theory*
Three additional upper-level credits in mathematical sciences*

B.S. in Mathematical Sciences/statistics concentration
Note: A grade of C or better is required in courses/credits marked with an asterisk (*).
CMSC 245 Introduction to Programming Using C++ or CMSC 255 Introduction to Programming or STAT 321 Introduction to Statistical Computing
OPER/STAT 490 Communications in Statistics and Operations Research*
STAT/MATH 309 Introduction to Probability Theory*
STAT 314 Applications of Statistics*
STAT 404 Introduction to Statistical Inference*
STAT/BIOS 544 Statistical Methods II*
Five additional upper-level credits in mathematical sciences, at least three of which must be in statistics*

With the approval of the departmental Undergraduate Credentials Committee and the adviser, students can design their own plan of study, which also will result in a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences. This student-planned curriculum must contain at least 24 credits in upper-level (300- to 500-) mathematical sciences courses.

Double major

Students who meet the requirements for two of the concentrations within the mathematical sciences curriculum can receive a double major. To initiate a double major, students must obtain the appropriate form from the Office of Records and Registration.

Second baccalaureate degree

For students possessing a bachelor’s degree and wishing to gain undergraduate preparation in an area of mathematical sciences, second baccalaureate degrees are offered through the department. For detailed information about these programs, refer to the “Academic regulations and general degree requirements” section of this bulletin.