Academic Programs

The Undergraduate Program in Mathematics

General Information
Mathematics major, BA degree
Requirements
Electives
Mathematics major, BS degree
Mathematics major, Computational Mathematics Option
Requirements
Mathematics minor

General Information

Mathematics can be pursued as a scholarly discipline of an especially elegant kind - a creative art form - or it can be treated as a valuable tool in an applied discipline.

The program for mathematics majors is designed to provide a solid foundation in the theoretical and applied aspects of mathematics necessary for a variety of professional careers. The flexibility within the third and fourth years was established to enable mathematics majors to concentrate in areas of their interest. The Computational Mathematics Program (COMP) is designed for those seeking positions in industry or with the government. The program emphasizes applied and computer mathematics. Students can choose their curricula so as to emphasize that role of mathematics which will be useful to them in later years. For example, students may use our offerings as preparation for

• secondary school teaching;
• graduate school in mathematics, applied mathematics, or computer science;
• a career in applied mathematics in either the public or private sector;
• graduate school in an area that uses mathematics, such as economics, biology or psychology.

Some mathematics majors have had success in law school, pharmaceutical school, and medical school.

The Department offers both a major and a minor program.

The need for K-12 teachers in the areas of mathematics and science is great in the region. Mathematics is a strong major for future teachers. The Mathematics Department participates in UMass Dartmouth's programs to prepare teachers who are highly qualified, helping provide opportunities for students to receive both initial and professional licensure. Specifically, the department supports students who seek initial licensure as a Teacher of Mathematics (5-8) (8-12) through the MAT program. Students should indicate their interest both to their Mathematics major advisor and to an advisor in UMass Dartmouth's Educatoin Department, to plan to take appropriate prerequisite and enrichment courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students should know, and be able to recall and use, basic ideas form their core mathematics courses
• Students should be able to determine independently that their work, including calculation and argument, is correct. This includes developing regular habits of checking solutions, verifying answers, and checking for correct calculations and correct reasoning.
• Students should write coherent answers to mathematical problems. This includes correct and clearly presented English, logical and clearly laid-out solutions, and clear and well-labeled diagrams where appropriate.
• Students should be able to argue logically and correctly, and be able to produce proofs for mathematical assertions.
• Students should have familiarity with graphing calculators and mathematics software including Mathematica or Maple. Students should know how to use mathematical technology appropriately to enhance, and not to replace, basic skills and understanding of concepts.
• Students should be flexible problem solvers. They should be able to recall basic facts, concepts, and skills, and use them in context, and should be able to use those same facts, concepts, and skills in novel problem settings.
• Students should be able to see connection between different areas of mathematics, and understand relationships between ideas.
• Students should learn to communicate mathematics effectively.

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Mathematics major, BA degree

At the end of the sophomore year, students, aided by their faculty advisors, should plan a course of study for the completion of the college program.

The advanced courses selected during the third and fourth years should be consistent with the students' interests and goals.

Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all mathematics courses taken at the 200 or higher level in all undergraduate mathematics degree programs.

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Requirements

General Education Departmental Requirements

Students majoring in Mathematics will meet their departmentally-determined General Education requirements as follows:

Area E: Students select a course from approved list
Area I, Tier 2: Students select a course from approved list
Area W, Tier 2: Students select a course from approved list
Area O: Students select a course from approved list

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Electives

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Mathematics major, BS degree

Students may elect to earn a Bachelor of Science degree provided that they complete the requirements for the BA degree and also take an additional six credits of Natural Science (but only courses that the science departments themselves would credit to a major in their areas). The humanities/social science requirements for the BS degree are a combined total of eighteen credits. At least six must be taken from each area.

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Mathematics major, Computational Mathematics Option
BS Degree

In order to meet the needs of our present-day computer-oriented society, the Mathematics Department presently offers an alternative to the mathematics major program of study-a computational mathematics program leading to the BS degree in Mathematics. This program requires a core of computer science courses and emphasizes the applied mathematics areas more than the mathematics program. This program allows the student a large choice of electives within the context of computational/applied mathematics. The student can thus pursue his or her special interests in any particular phase of computational/applied mathematics.

The program has virtually the same freshman and sophomore years as the other programs in mathematics, computer and information science, computer engineering and electrical engineering. This allows a student to find his or her interests and make a final choice from among these before the end of the second year without any loss of time.

A BS degree in Mathematics (COMP) allows the student to enter graduate programs that specialize in computer-oriented mathematics or enter industrial employment where physical and industrial problems are analyzed mathematically.

The program offers a large choice of electives within the context of computational/applied mathematics. The student can thus pursue his or her special interests in any particular phase of applied mathematics.

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Requirements

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Mathematics minor

The minor in mathematics comprises a central core of required courses followed by opportunities for advanced work and some specialization. Any student of the university is eligible for the designation "Minor in Mathematics" upon completion of the following requirements. Each course for the minor must be completed with a grade of C- or better, and the student must maintain at least a C average (2.0 GPA) in the minor program.

Requirements

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