Mathematics and Statistics

Professors: Cooper, M.W.; Holden, L.S.; Jarosz, K. (Chair); Karimpour, R.; Ledzewicz, U.; Lu, C.; Rigdon, S.E.; Sewell, E.C.; Shiue, W.K.; Steinberg, D.I. (Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences).

Associate Professors: Agustin, Z.; Hasty, M.; Neath, A.A.; Parish, J.L.; Voepel, T.M.

Assistant Professors: Agustin, M.; Bryden, J.; Leem, K.H.; Pelekanos, G.

Mathematics, the queen of sciences, is both a language and a science. As a language, mathematics is used to translate relationships within the universe into mathematical expressions and equations, that is, into mathematical models. The importance of mathematics in this regard was emphasized by Galileo more than three centuries ago when he said, "the laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics." Throughout history, mathematics has had an important role in the efforts of the human race to understand the world and to control the environment. As a science, mathematics is concerned not only with computation, but, more importantly, with the study of relations, interdependencies, and inferential structures. It is a rapidly growing field of study, concerned with problems from within mathematics and from the social sciences as well as the natural sciences. Consequently, students who major in mathematics have a wide range of career opportunities open to them.

With the progress in computers and computing technology, knowledge of the mathematical sciences is more important today than ever before. Having had a central role in the natural sciences for many years, mathematics has become more and more useful in the social sciences and in the humanities. Economics, political science, sociology, psychology and other social sciences now rely on mathematics, particularly statistics, to understand, to control and to predict social phenomena.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Mathematical Studies. In addition, as a result of the various applications of mathematical sciences, the department offers a variety of service courses for students majoring in other disciplines.

Please note that most of the courses in this Department have other courses as prerequisites. Before enrolling in a course in mathematics, statistics or operations research, students must complete the prerequisite(s) with a grade of C or higher. A grade of D in a prerequisite course indicates inadequate preparation to continue to the next course.

Career Opportunities

Because mathematics provides the basic language and method for science and technology, a country needs to have many people who are well trained in mathematical subjects in order to be technologically competitive in a world economy. Mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries, and mathematical educators will continue to be needed by the government, industry, business, and schools. For a student in engineering, physics or computer science, a second major in mathematics may not require a great deal of additional course work, while enhancing the student's background in his or her first major. A Mathematics major is also appropriate preparation for graduate studies in several areas including mathematics, operations research, statistics, engineering and law. Statistics provides career possibilities that deserve special mention. Students with undergraduate majors in Statistics may find positions doing actuarial work with insurance companies or doing work in quality control and reliability with industrial firms. Also, recent job studies indicate shortages of statisticians and operations researchers trained at the graduate level. Some students enter professional programs in business, law, and medicine after completing a Mathematics major. And, of course, the continuing need for highly motivated, well-trained mathematics teachers in the schools has been well publicized.

Departmental advisers can provide information about career possibilities in the mathematical sciences and can suggest elective courses that would be appropriate to various career goals and interests, including the intention to pursue graduate studies.

Admission

To be admitted to the Mathematics and Statistics program, students must satisfy one of the following:

1.     Complete MATH 120 and 125, or Mathematics courses having these as prerequisites (or equivalent courses at another accredited institution of higher education), have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all university Mathematics courses, and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all SIUE courses taken.

2.     Complete in high school seven semesters of university preparatory mathematics courses, including a course in trigonometry, and have no grade lower than a C in those courses. Students who do not qualify for admission into an academic program in the Department but hope to seek admission later are encouraged to obtain advice from a faculty member in the Department.

Academic Status

A student may be dropped from this program for any one of the following circumstances:

a.     Grade point average of 1.0 or below in any term;

b.     Cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in courses in mathematics, statistics and operations research at any time;

c.     Withdrawal, incomplete, or a combination of failing grades in 50% or more of the courses for which the student is registered during two successive terms;

d.     Any combination of three grades of D, F, UW, WP, or WF in any single required course in mathematics, statistics, or operations research.

For purposes of computing the GPA of a student seeking admission, the student may not use credit hours earned through proficiency, transfer, CLEP, or from a course, after credit has been received for similar or more advanced course work in the subject at SIUE or elsewhere. For readmission, students must meet the same admission requirements as students entering the program for the first time.

Degree Requirements Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Mathematics

The distinction between the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics is the language requirement. Students seeking majors in this department may choose to be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree rather than the Bachelor of Science degree, provided the electives include 8 hours of credit in a foreign language that is neither English nor the student's native language.

Students must choose from one of the five programs described below, which include four options in Mathematical Studies and a major in Mathematics for secondary school teachers. Through a choice of electives, students may adjust these programs to their goals and interests.

In addition to the specific requirements stated below for each program, students must meet the following requirements:

a.     Earn a minimum of 124 hours of acceptable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher;

b.     Complete at least 12 hours of SIUE credit in major courses numbered 300 or above with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher;

c.     Earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all Mathematics, Statistics, or Operations Research courses numbered 300 or above at SIUE within 2 years preceding graduation;

d.     Complete at least 6 hours of credit in Mathematics, Statistics, or Operations Research courses numbered above 299 at SIUE within 2 years preceding graduation.

Duplicate credits earned (through proficiency, transfer, CLEP, or from a course) after credit has been received for similar or more advanced course work in the subject at SIUE or elsewhere are not applicable toward graduation. Students who receive a grade of D in any Mathematics, Statistics, or Operations Research course may not count that course toward requirements for a Mathematics major.

The Mathematics Core

All programs offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics require completion of the Mathematics Core, which consists of the following courses: Mathematics 150, 152, 250, 223, 321, and 350. Completion of Computer Science 140 or 141 and PHYS 211a and 212a are also required for all programs. These courses total 31 hours, of which 6 are applicable to General Education requirements. (PHYS 211a satisfies 3 hours of the introductory General Education requirements. Computer Science 140 or 141 satisfies 3 hours of the Skills requirement.)

Degree Requirements Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Mathematical Studies Specialization in Mathematical Sciences

Degree Requirements Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Mathematical Studies Specialization in Applied Mathematics

Degree Requirements Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Mathematical Studies Specialization in Statistics

Degree Requirements Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Mathematical Studies Specialization in Actuarial Science

Degree Requirements Bachelor of Science Mathematics Secondary Education Teacher Certification

Admission to a teacher education program is a joint decision by the academic discipline in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education. Therefore, it is essential that any student desiring teacher certification meet with an adviser in the Office of Clinical Experience, Certification and Advisement of the School of Education for admission to the teacher education program.

Senior Project

All seniors are required to take MATH 498 and 499 (Senior Seminar and Senior Project), which carry 2 credits each. MATH 499 is graded Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Passing this course is required for graduation. The student is required to consult with a member of the Mathematics/Statistics faculty to prepare a proposal for a culminating project. The Senior Assignment Committee, established for this purpose, must approve all proposals. The completed project is evaluated by a Project Evaluation Committee and includes both the documentation and an oral presentation by the student. Members of the faculty are invited to attend the oral presentation.

Minors in Mathematics and Statistics

The Department offers minors in three areas: Mathematics, Statistics, and Mathematics Education. A minor in Mathematics consists of MATH 150 and 152 (Calculus I and II), and nine hours of Mathematics (Statistics or Operations Research) courses at the 200 level or above, of which six hours must be at the 300 level or above and at least three of these six hours must be from Mathematics. A minor in Statistics consists of MATH 150 and 152 and nine additional hours of Statistics courses at the 300 level or above. A Minor in Mathematics Education consists of MATH 150, MATH 223 (Logic and Mathematical Reasoning), MATH 311 (Teaching of Secondary Mathematics), and three courses chosen from the following: MATH 315 (Number Theory) or MATH 320 (Introduction to Algebraic Structures); MATH 435 (Foundations of Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry); MATH 300 (History of Mathematics from Antiquity to Descartes) or MATH 400 (Development of Modern Mathematics); Statistics 244 (Statistics); and either Computer Science 140 or 141.

For all three minors, at least six hours of courses at the 300 level or above must be taken at SIUE. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 in all Mathematics, Statistics and Operations Research courses taken, and a GPA of at least 2.0 in all these courses at the 300 level or above. The Minor in Mathematics Education is appropriate for certification for middle school teaching.

Students majoring in Mathematical Studies may not minor in Mathematics, Statistics, or Mathematics Education.