Mathematics, BS

The Department of Mathematics offers a curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics is well-suited for those students aiming toward a career in applied mathematics or planning for graduate school in applied mathematics. This program is also appropriate for those mathematics students who have not yet decided between a teaching career or a career in industry.

Modern industrial and scientific enterprises are so dependent on advanced mathematical concepts that applied mathematicians are needed today by almost all concerns that are engaged in such work. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to give training in mathematics and in engineering and science. The use of numerical methods and computers is included.

Normally, a graduate of mathematics who accepts a position in the private or public sector will be working as part of a team to solve applied problems outside of mathematics. Seldom is this problem purely one in mathematics. Because of this, an applied mathematician needs a working knowledge of another discipline, and so each graduate of the BS in Mathematics program must complete a secondary area requirement. This secondary emphasis area is in a specific engineering, computer science, or applied science department. The choice of a secondary area must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Foreign languages are encouraged for students interested in research. A maximum of 8 hours of foreign languages may be taken and applied to the approved electives requirements. German, French and Russian are the approved languages.

Departmental Goal

  • Prepare students for employment or graduate study in a subject related to mathematics

Learning Outcomes, Mathematics, BS

  • Be able to apply both theoretical and computational techniques to the solution of mathematical problems.
  • Be able to comprehend, formulate and produce mathematical proof
  • Be able to communicate correct mathematical content in both written and oral form.
  • Be able to understand a broad array of interconnected concepts within mathematics.

General Requirements

  • 42 semester hours in Mathematics
  • 18 semester hours in Basic Science and Technology
  • 18 semester hours in Secondary Area Requirements, of which 9 hours must be 3000 level or higher
  • A minimum 2.0 on each required mathematics course
  • A CU minimum GPA of 2.0
  • An Exit Interview with the Mathematics department is required prior to graduation.

LAS General Education Requirements for Math BS Students

Humanities:

Math BS students should select PHIL 3440 - Symbolic Logic as part of their LAS Humanities general education area requirements.  

Natural Sciences:

Natural Science Area Requirement: The required courses 

 apply to this requirement. An additional three hours are needed.

Social Sciences:

Mathematics BS students should select from the LAS Social Sciences area general education courses; BS Secondary Teaching Options Candidates should include 

 as part of the requirements.

Writing Requirements:

Mathematics BS students should complete the following courses:

.

Free Electives:

Mathematics BS students should take a number of courses in computer science to prepare them for the various career options in mathematics. Foreign languages are encouraged for students interested in research. 

Required Courses

Mathematics (42 semester hours)

One of the following two Restricted Mathematics Elective Sequences (6 Credits)

Basic Science and Technology (18 Semester Hours)

Note:

Nine (9) hours of the LAS Natural Science Area Requirement may be satisfied by taking PES 1110, 1120 and 1160.

BS Secondary Area Requirements

Secondary area requirements may be done in any one of the following ways:

Departmental Course Work: Select classes from one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or Psychology. Courses used for general education requirements may be counted towards this requirement.

Interdisciplinary Secondary Areas: Complete one of the interdisciplinary secondary area programs that have been approved by the department. At present, there are two such programs: System Science and Engineering and Actuarial Science (see Below).

Personalized Secondary Program: Design a personalized secondary area program that may include courses from departments other than those listed in above, and/or may be interdisciplinary in nature. Such a program MUST have the approval of the faculty advisor from the Mathematics Department.