Mathematics BS

College of Arts and Sciences
Department Chair Steven Tedford, PhD

Faculty

Tania Hazra, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, BS, MS University of Calcutta; MA, PhD The University of Alabama

Patricia Lapczynski, RSM, Associate Professor of Computer Science, BA Douglass College; MS Dartmouth College; DPS Pace University

Jay Stine, Associate Professor of Mathematics, BA Shippensburg University; MS, PhD, University of Miami

Steven J. Tedford, Professor of Mathematics, BA Marist College; MS, PhD Binghamton University

Patrick Touhey, Professor of Mathematics, BA Fordham University; PhD City University of New York

Mathematics has been called the queen of the sciences. In recent years, the increased use of statistics and quantitative methods, combined with the computer revolution, have caused mathematics to pervade not only the physical sciences, but the life and social sciences as well. Mathematical techniques are widely used in research, in industry, manufacturing, commerce, and government. Recognizing these broad applications, this major in mathematics was designed to expose students to both classical and contemporary areas.

The mathematics major prepares students for careers in business, industry or government, or for future study in graduate or professional school.

Students may choose to pursue either a BS or BA degree in mathematics. The required mathematics courses for either degree are the same. Students choosing to pursue the BS in mathematics must complete PHY 221 -PHY 222  and either CHM 133 -CHM 134  or BIO 111 -BIO 112 .

Upper-level courses are offered in alternate years (see course descriptions for details), so that a student’s schedule may not follow this sequence exactly. The above would be typical for a traditional first-year student whose first semester begins in the fall of an odd numbered year (e.g., 2007).

Program Goals and Outcomes

The following are program goals for the Mathematics major, in which students will:

1. Think critically, reason analytically, and solve problems creatively.
2. Be competent mathematically.
3. Respect and understand the culture, philosophy, and history of Mathematics.
4. Think and act mathematically in order to pursue a life-time of learning.
5. Succeed in their careers; in business, industry, government, or teaching as well as in graduate or professional schools.
6. Teach according to national recommendations for the teaching of Mathematics (Secondary Education majors).

The Mathematics major program goals are realized in the following student learning outcomes:

1. Explain inferential statistics.
2. Calculate the derivatives of a variety of functions.
3. Evaluate arguments.
4. Utilize course related mathematical concepts and theories.
5. Solve applied problems via integral calculus.
6. Solve problems in naïve set theory.
7. Compute basic Riemann integrals; utilize the fundamentals of power series expansions.
8. Solve equations in polynomial rings.
9. Demonstrate success in careers, business, industry, government, or teaching, as well as in graduate or professional school.
10. Pass the Mathematics: Content Knowledge (PRAXIS II Secondary Education Mathematics) examination at an acceptable level (Secondary Education majors).

For information about the requirements for students pursuing Secondary Education certification, please refer to the Teacher Education Programs  section.