Department of Mathematical Sciences

Mathematical Sciences Major (B.S.)

Program objectives for a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences are to: (a) understand the notion of a real valued function; (b) understand the concept of differentiation and be able to apply the rules of differentiation to functions of one real variable. Be able to use these techniques to solve problems in optimization; (c) understand the use of vector analysis to describe the geometry of higher dimensional spaces; (d) understand how to extend the concepts of the calculus of functions of one variable to higher dimensions; (e) use matrices to solve systems of linear equations and to describe linear transformations; (f) understand abstract structures in mathematics; (g) be able to read and present mathematical proofs including an understanding of the basic types of proofs; (h) be able to formulate their own proofs of simple mathematical statements; (i) be able to use a computer to assist with the solution of mathematical problems; (j) Have advanced knowledge of at least one specialist area of mathematics: Statistics, Mathematics, or Teaching Mathematics.

A. University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements. Note the following requirements specified for the Mathematical Sciences major: Mathematics: MATH 1910; Natural Science: CHEM 1110/1111, 1120/1121, or PHYS 2110/2111, 2120/2121.

B. College and Degree Requirements (12 hours)

The College and Bachelor of Science requirements are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements.

C. The Major (35-36 hours in addition to University General Education Program and B.S. degree requirements)

1. Major Core (14 hours):

Completion of MATH 1910 (this course is included in the University General Education Program requirements), MATH 1920, 2110, 2702, and 3242 (majors are encouraged to consider the departmental honors program described below); plus the following courses: CHEM 1110/1111, and 1120/1121 or PHYS 2110/2111, 2120/2121 (these courses are included in the University General Education Program requirements).

2. Concentration (21 -22 hours):

a. Mathematics (21-22 hours): COMP 1900 or COMP 4001 and 18 semester hours of upper division courses with departmental approval. The following are examples of approved course selections.

(1) Applied Mathematics: MATH 3120, 4391, 4635, 4721, and six upper division hours from the following: MATH 3221, 4242, 4261, 4350, 4351, 4361, 4392, 4640.

(2) General Mathematics: MATH 3120, 4350, 4261, 4635, and 6 upper division hours chosen from: MATH 3221, 4242, 4351, 4361, 4391, 4411, 4636, 4721.

(3) Graduate Study in Mathematics: MATH 4261, 4350, three courses chosen from: MATH 4242, 4351, 4361, 4411, and one additional course from: MATH 3120, 3221, 4242, 4351, 4361, 4391, 4411, 4635.

(4) Teacher Licensure in Secondary Education: MATH 3221, 3581, 4151, 4261, 4635, and either MATH 4636, or 4637.

(5) Actuarial Science: MATH 4020, 4022, 4025, 4635, 4636 and FIR 3410.

NOTE: All approved programs will include no more than 9 semester hours chosen from MATH 4607, 4635, 4636, 4637, 4640. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to plan their programs.

b. Statistics (21 hours): COMP 4001, MATH 4635, 4636, 4640, and one of MATH 4607 or 4637, and 6 additional upper division hours chosen from: MATH 3120, 4242, 4261, 4350, 4351, 4361, 4391, 4551, 4607, 4637, 4643, 4721.

D. Electives

Electives may be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

E. Honors Program

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers an honors program in Mathematics and Statistics for the talented student. The student must satisfy the following course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all MATH courses: The major with honors in Mathematical Sciences: 37 semester hours in MATH courses, including MATH 1421, 2421, 2422, 3402, 4402; plus the following courses applicable to the degree: CHEM 1110/1111, 1120/1121, or PHYS 2110/2111, 2120/2121; and completion of one of the two areas of concentration described above.

Those students who complete the program and the regular college requirements will be recognized at the commencement ceremony by having their degrees conferred "With Honors in Mathematical Sciences." Moreover, the student’s diploma and record at the University of Memphis will reflect this distinction.

F. Second Major in Mathematical Sciences for majors in Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, and Physics (29-30 hours): MATH 1910, 1920, 3242 and (a) 9 hours from upper division MATH courses approved by the Chair or Chair's designee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, plus one of COMP 2700, MATH 2702, MATH 2110, or an additional upper division MATH course approved by the Chair or Chair's designee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences; (b) 6 hours of mathematically oriented courses approved by the Chair or Chair's designee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Mathematical Sciences Minor

A minimum of 20 semester hours, including MATH 1910 (4), 1920 (4), and 9 additional upper division semester hours in MATH courses approved by the Chair or Chair's designee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, plus one of COMP 2700, MATH 2702, MATH 2110, or an additional upper division MATH course approved by the Chair or Chair's designee of the Department of Mathematics.

Typical 4-Year Mathematics Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours: 120

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

**Choose one Natural Science sequence: CHEM 1110/1111 and 1120/1121, OR PHYS 2110/2111 and 2120/2121.

Typical 4-Year Statistics Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours: 120

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

**Choose one Natural Science sequence: CHEM 1110/1111 and 1120/1121, OR PHYS 2110/2111 and 2120/2121.

***Choose from MATH 3120, 4242, 4261, 4350, 4351, 4361, 4391, 4551, 4607, 4637, 4643, 4721