Major-Mathematics
The department seeks to provide all students with an understanding of mathematical language and ideas, which, in turn, will allow students to better handle abstract reasoning and concrete quantitative manipulation. The language of mathematics, an entirely satisfying field of study in its own right, yields amazingly beautiful results when used to express the patterns found in the natural world. The department’s physical science and physics courses present those patterns in terms of fundamental laws that reflect the order and beauty of the physical world.
Students who acquire a B. S. in mathematics will be well versed in the fundamentals of various branches of higher mathematics. They will be suitably poised to pursue graduate studies or to begin a professional career in the many fields that employ personnel with mathematical training. The B.A. in Mathematics offers students a more diverse program of study, consistent with the aims of liberal arts education. With a greater choice of free electives, it appeals to a broad spectrum of students with varying interests.
The department strongly encourages mathematics majors to complete a minor in an area of interest. This exposes students to the commonalities between mathematics and other bodies of knowledge and equips them to pursue interdisciplinary graduate studies or careers anchored in mathematics.
The department also offers mathematics courses for non-majors to help students achieve proficiency in both theoretical and applied mathematical thinking. For students seeking an enhanced mathematical foundation, the minor program introduces the basics of higher-level mathematics. In addition to an intellectual enrichment, a better grasp of mathematical reasoning helps students mature into members of society who possess the quantitative means to make sense of, function in, and act upon the world they inhabit.
The department also offers physics and physical science courses designed to teach students the essential laws and principles that explain and/or predict a wide variety of natural phenomena. These courses impart the empirical and conceptual methodologies that define scientific epistemology. An understanding of physical laws sheds light on the building blocks of the natural world and as such is helpful in understanding all animate and inanimate systems encountered in other branches of science. The content and the methods taught in these courses help to mold a mindset capable of using a rationalist framework for questioning received wisdom and formulating new ideas. 147
B. S. in Mathematics
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must have completed MA 201, and must have earned a grade of “C” or better.
In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:
MA 152 Trigonometry (or demonstrated proficiency in the subject)
Major requirements
- MA 201 Calculus I
- MA 202 Calculus II
- MA 203 Calculus III
- MA 208 Statistics
- MA 222 Discrete Mathematics
- MA 311 Elementary Linear Algebra
- MA 419 Modern Algebra
- MA 430 Real Analysis
- MA 490 Senior Seminar I
- MA 491 Senior Seminar II
- Any three from among the following:
- MA 235 History of Mathematics
- MA 305 Advanced Statistics
- MA 321 Differential Equations
- MA 335 Advanced Calculus
- MA 340 Numerical Analysis
- MA 405 Topology
- MA 410 Elementary Number Theory
- MA 415 Partial Differential Equations
- MA 420 Geometry
- MA 435 Complex Analysis
- CS 325 Logic and Algorithms
- CS 361 Computer Modeling and Simulation
Other Courses
Students complete one of the following course combinations to meet the remainder of the 120 hours required for the degree:
- PY 101 (4) and 102 (4) with 16-19 hours of General Elective hours.
- CH 105 (4) and 106 (4) with 16-19 hours of General Elective hours.
- Two lab-based Biology courses at the 200 level or higher (8) with 16-19 hours of General Elective hours.
- CS 201 (3) and 234 (4) with 18-21 hours of General Elective hours.
NOTE: Although an internship is not required, it is strongly recommended.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
B. A. in Mathematics
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must have completed MA 201, and must have earned a grade of “C” or better.
In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:
- MA 152 Trigonometry (or demonstrated proficiency in the subject)
Major requirements
- MA 201 Calculus I
- MA 202 Calculus II
- MA 203 Calculus III
- MA 208 Statistics
- MA 222 Discrete Mathematics
- MA 311 Elementary Linear Algebra
- MA 419 Modern Algebra
- MA 430 Real Analysis
- MA 490 Senior Seminar I
- MA 490 Senior Seminar II
- Any two of the following:
- MA 235 History of Mathematics
- MA 305 Advanced Statistics
- MA 321 Differential Equations
- MA 335 Advanced Calculus
- MA 340 Numerical Analysis
- MA 405 Topology
- MA 410 Elementary Number Theory
- MA 415 Partial Differential Equations
- MA 420 Geometry
- MA 435 Complex Analysis
- CS 325 Logic and Algorithms
- CS 361 Computer Modeling and Simulation
Other Courses
General elective hours
NOTE: Although an internship is not required, it is strongly recommended.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Minor in Mathematics 15 hours
- MA 201 Calculus I
- MA 202 Calculus II
- And either: Any three upper-level mathematics courses or Two upper-level mathematics courses and CS 325 Logic and Algorithms
The preponderance of the hours above MA 201 must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Minor in Physics-Mathematics 17 hours
- MA 201 Calculus I
- PY 301 Calculus-based Physics I
- PY 302 Calculus-based Physics II
- PY 303 Calculus-based Physics III
- And either MA 202 Calculus II or MA 208 Statistics
The preponderance of the hours above MA 201 must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Mathematics Education
Belmont Abbey College does not offer a degree in Mathematics Education. The following courses offered by our Department of Education, however, may be useful for Mathematics students interested in a teaching career.
- ED 300 Introduction to Education
- ED 301 Human Growth and Development
- Either ED 302 Education and Society or ED 399 Diversity in Education
- ED 305 Introduction to the Exceptional Child
- ED 312 Educational Psychology
Faculty
Dr. Rajive Tiwari – Professor of Physics, and Coordinator of Math/Physics Minor
B.S. St. Stephens College, M.S. Rutgers University, Ph.D. Rutgers University
Stephen Brosnan – Associate Professor of Math/Physics
B.A. University of Colorado, M.S. University of Michigan
Dr. Igor Strugar – Chair and Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S. University of Montenegro, M.S. University of Belgrade, Ph.D. University of Toledo
Lesley O’Connor – Assistant Professor of Mathematics
B.S. University of London, M.A. University of California at Los Angeles, Ph.D. University of California at Los Angeles
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