Mathematical Sciences: Majors and Programs: Indiana University South Bend

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Mathematical Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, Bachelor of Science degrees in Applied Mathematics and Actuarial Science, and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.

After completing a core curriculum in theoretical mathematics, a Bachelor of Arts student may choose from a wide variety of advanced mathematics courses as electives. Students who plan to enter graduate school and pursue a career in mathematics should consider the Bachelor of Arts degree option.

Students completing the Bachelor of Science degree programs are prepared for graduate school or a career in industry or government.

The department also offers a two year Associate of Arts degree in mathematics, and a minor in mathematics.

The Master of Science program is offered jointly with the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. Students in the program will take advanced courses in both applied mathematics and computer science, with emphasis on real-world problems and applications.

A wide variety of service courses are also offered for students majoring in other disciplines, including computer science, physics and other sciences, business and economics, and education. A placement examination is used to match new students with an entry course at an appropriate level.

Scheduling of Courses in Mathematics

To help students make long-range curriculum plans, the department attempts to offer courses in a predictable fashion. Courses are offered both in the daytime and in the evenings (5:30 p.m. or later); a course that is offered in the evening in one term will normally be offered during the day in the next term in which it is scheduled, and vice versa. A brochure containing the most recent information about the mathematics curriculum may be obtained from the departmental secretary.

Mathematics Placement Examination

Students planning to take their first IUSB mathematics course must take the placement examination. The examination is designed to help determine the level at which students should begin their mathematical studies.

The examination usually takes less than one hour to complete. No registration for this examination is necessary. Students should review materials from prior mathematics courses before taking the examination. The examination times are listed in the Schedule of Classes.

The test can place the student at one of the following levels:

Level I

MATH M004 Introduction to Algebra

Level II

MATH M014 Basic Algebra (4 cr.)

Level III

CSCI C101 Computer Programming I (4 cr.)
MATH K300 Statistical Techniques for Health Professions
MATH M107 College Algebra
MATH M110 Excursions in Mathematics
MATH M118 Finite Mathematics
MATH T101 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I

Level IV

MATH M115 Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry (5 cr.)
MATH M125 Pre-Calculus Mathematics

Level IV students may move to level V by successfully taking MATH M125 Pre-Calculus Mathematics or MATH M115 Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry, and level IV students move to level VI by completing MATH M115 Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry or its equivalent, MATH M125 Pre-Calculus Mathematics and MATH M126 Trigonometric Functions.

Level V

MATH M119 Brief Survey of Calculus I
MATH M126 Trigonometric Functions (2 cr.)

Students at this level can move to level VI by completing MATH M126 Trigonometric Functions or MATH M115 Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry. MATH M119 Brief Survey of Calculus I is also sufficient if the student has taken trigonometry.

Level VI

MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (5 cr.)

Students at level VI have a solid mathematics background. Level VI students can also enroll in MATH M118 Finite Mathematics or MATH M119 Brief Survey of Calculus I if these courses better fit their needs.

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Minor in Mathematical Sciences

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

A student who wishes to minor in mathematics must take a minimum of 18 credit hours of mathematics, including MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I, MATH M216 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II, and at least 8 credit hours in mathematics at or above the 300-level.

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Associate of Arts with a Concentration in Mathematics

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

The program consists of concentration requirements, and a total credit hour requirement.

Concentration Requirements (15 cr.)

One of the following options:
MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (5 cr.) and
MATH M216 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (5 cr.) or
MATH M118 Finite Mathematics and
MATH M119 Brief Survey of Calculus I and
MATH M120 Brief Survey of Calculus II
MATH M301 Linear Algebra and Applications

One of the following options:
MATH M365 Introduction to Probability and Statistics or
MATH M463 Introduction to Probability Theory and
MATH M466 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

General Requirements (35 cr.)

ENG W131 Elementary Composition

Computer proficiency requirement (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities (6 cr.)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 cr.)
Natural Sciences (8 cr., including a laboratory)
Language of Quantities (satisfied by concentration requirements)
Foreign Languages (6 cr. in one language)

An overall total of 60 credit hours is required

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Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

The general distribution requirements are the same as for other B.A. degree programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Requirements

One of the following options:

Option 1
MATH M380 History of Mathematics
MATH T336 Topics in Euclidean Geometry

One additional course from the following list:

Option 2

Two additional courses from the following list, one of which much be a 400-level mathematics course.

MATH M343 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I
MATH M344 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications II
MATH M463 Introduction to Probability Theory
MATH M365 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
MATH M466 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
MATH M380 History of Mathematics
MATH M404 Introduction to Modern Algebra II
MATH M405 Number Theory
MATH M409 Linear Transformations
MATH M414 Introduction to Analysis II
MATH M415 Elementary Complex Variables with Applications
MATH M420 Metric Space Topology
MATH M435 Introduction to Differential Geometry
MATH M436 Introduction to Geometries
MATH M447 Mathematical Models and Applications I
MATH M448 Mathematical Models and Applications II
MATH M471 Numerical Analysis I
MATH M472 Numerical Analysis II

In addition to studying mathematics courses, all majors are strongly encouraged to study in depth another discipline that uses mathematics. Majors are also strongly encouraged to take one or more computer programming courses such as CSCI C101 Computer Programming I and CSCI C201 Computer Programming II. Students interested in professional work or graduate study in mathematics should take additional mathematics courses at the 300- and 400-level. Any student who intends to major in mathematics should contact the chairperson of mathematical sciences as soon as possible.

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Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

Requirements (122 cr.)

ENG W131 Elementary Composition, or equivalent. (3 cr.)
Two introductory courses in a single foreign language, or equivalent. (6 cr.)
One course from each of three of the following four areas, plus a fourth course from any of these areas. WOST W200 Women in Society: Introduction to Women’s Studies may be used as this fourth course. (12 cr.)

Area A: Fine Arts, Music MUS M174 Music for the Listener I, Communication Arts (except SPCH S160 Speech Correction for Classroom Teaching, SPCH S225, SPCH S325)

Area B: English (except ENG W131 Elementary Composition); Foreign Languages (only advanced courses of a literary nature)

Area C: History

Area D: Philosophy, Religious Studies

One course from each of three of the following four areas, plus a fourth course from any of these areas. WOST W200 Women in Society: Introduction to Women’s Studies may be used as this fourth course. (12 cr.)

Area A: Economics, Geography

Area B: Political Science

Area C: Psychology

Area D: Sociology, Anthropology

Twenty credit hours in at least two of the physical and life sciences (chemistry, physics, geology, biological sciences or astronomy), including PHYS P221 Physics 1 and PHYS P222 Physics 2.
CSCI C101 Computer Programming I (4 cr.)
MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (5 cr.)
MATH M216 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (5 cr.)
MATH M301 Linear Algebra and Applications
MATH M311 Calculus III (5 cr.)
MATH M343 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I
MATH M463 Introduction to Probability Theory
MATH M466 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
MATH M403 Introduction to Modern Algebra I
MATH M413 Introduction to Analysis I
MATH M447 Mathematical Models and Applications I
MATH M471 Numerical Analysis I
Two of the following:
MATH M344 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications II
MATH M404 Introduction to Modern Algebra II
MATH M405 Number Theory
MATH M414 Introduction to Analysis II
MATH M415 Elementary Complex Variables with Applications
MATH M448 Mathematical Models and Applications II
MATH M451 The Mathematics of Finance and Interest Theory
MATH M472 Numerical Analysis II
An upper-division course approved by the chairperson of the department

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Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science

Degree Requirements (122 cr.)

Actuaries use mathematics and financial theory to determine the financial effect that uncertain future events such as birth, death, retirement, fire, accident, and sickness have on insurance and other benefit plans. Actuaries may work for insurance companies, employee benefits, consulting firms, or the benefits departments of general business and government agencies. The competitive actuarial profession requires mathematics graduates to have analytic, statistical, and computational skills, which will allow them to solve industrial problems, predict the financial effects of uncertain future events, and carry out decision-making analyses. Students graduating from the program who plan to pursue careers in Actuarial Science can expect to succeed on the first one or two Actuarial Science examinations, and thus be ready to enter the actuarial profession. Students graduating from the program who choose not to become actuaries will be well prepared to enter industry and work in such areas as quality control, computational analysis, information management, forecasting, risk analysis, simulation, and finance. A student wishing to pursue graduate study in mathematics or business will certainly be prepared for either discipline. For further information, contact the program director in Northside Hall, 307, (574) 520-4516.

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

English Composition (6 cr.)

ENG W131 Elementary Composition
ENG W231 Professional Writing Skills.

Foreign Language (6 cr.)

Two introductory courses in a single foreign language, or equivalent

Arts and Humanities (12 cr.)

One course selected from each of three of the following four areas, plus a fourth course from any of these areas. WOST W200 Women in Society: Introduction to Women's Studies or WOST W201 Women in Culture: Introduction to Women's Studies may be used as this fourth course.

Area A: Fine arts; music MUS M174 Music for the Listener I; communication arts (except SPCH S160 Speech Correction for Classroom Teaching, SPCH S225, SPCH S325)

Area B: English (except ENG W130 Principles of Composition, ENG W131 Elementary Composition, and ENG W231 Professional Writing Skills), foreign language (only advanced courses of a literary nature)

Area C: History

Area D: Philosophy, religious studies

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Four courses selected from at least three areas:

Area A: Geography, economics (excluding ECON E103 Introduction to Microeconomics and ECON E104 Introduction to Macroeconomics)

Area B: Political science

Area C: Psychology

Area D: Sociology, anthropology, linguistics

Natural Sciences

Twelve credit hours in courses selected from at least two areas: chemistry, physics, geology, biology, and astronomy. At least one of the courses must have a laboratory component.

Computer Science

CSCI C101 Computer Programming I (4 cr.)

Business and Economics

BUS A201 Introduction to Financial Accounting
BUS A202 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
BUS F301 Financial Management
BUS L201 Legal Environment of Business
ECON E103 Introduction to Microeconomics
ECON E104 Introduction to Macroeconomics

Mathematics

MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (5 cr.)
MATH M216 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (5 cr.)
MATH M301 Linear Algebra and Applications
MATH M311 Calculus III (5 cr.)
MATH M325 Topics Course: Problem-Solving Seminar in Actuarial Science
MATH M343 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I
MATH M463 Introduction to Probability Theory
MATH M466 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
MATH M413 Introduction to Analysis I
MATH M447 Mathematical Models and Applications I
MATH M448 Mathematical Models and Applications II (Actuarial Modeling)
MATH M451 The Mathematics of Finance and Interest Theory
MATH M471 Numerical Analysis I

One of the following:
MATH M414 Introduction to Analysis II
MATH M415 Elementary Complex Variables with Applications
MATH M472 Numerical Analysis II

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