BA in Mathematical Sciences

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers courses in pure and applied mathematics to help students reach a wide variety of intellectual, academic, and career goals. Many students come to the department to obtain the mathematical background needed to be successful in programs in the natural sciences, computer science, social sciences, and business. Such students may choose to supplement their major in their home department by obtaining a minor in mathematics. Other students come to the department seeking a program leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the mathematical sciences. Undergraduate students majoring in mathematical sciences may choose one of seven areas of concentration: Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Financial Mathematics, Quantitative Analysis and Operations Research, Applied and Computational Mathematics. In consultation with a mathematics faculty advisor, undergraduate students may also create an individualized program of courses leading to a degree in mathematical sciences. A thesis option is available to mathematics majors who wish to pursue an extended independent project related to a theoretical or applied focus of the program. Students would work under the guidance of a faculty mentor. At least 4 credits must be completed over one or two quarters prior to the thesis submission. Interested students are strongly encouraged to enroll in MAT 390 during their junior year. ??? Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to: Apply both abstract and quantitative reasoning to understand the relationships between quantities in problem situations, and to solve problems. Construct correct logical arguments and understand and critique the reasoning of others. Use relevant mathematical tools to answer questions in the natural, social, and computer sciences, as well as other academic disciplines. Identify, formulate, abstract, and solve mathematical problems using tools from a variety of mathematical areas including calculus, linear algebra, geometry, abstract algebra, analysis, number theory, probability, and statistics. Communicate mathematical ideas clearly, in oral or written form, by using appropriate mathematical terminology and notation. Critically interpret numerical and graphical data and use computer technology appropriately to solve problems and to promote understanding. Career Options: Banking, Computer programming, Computer science, Education, Finance, Information analysis, Insurance, Risk management, Sales, Systems analysis.