Major-Mathematics

The Department seeks to inculcate in all students an understanding of the language and ideas of mathematics. Upon this foundation of understanding the courses offered by the Department build the twin structures of 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 discernible in the natural world. The physical science and physics courses offered by the Department present these patterns in terms of fundamental laws that reflect the order and beauty of the physical world.

Students acquiring the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree 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 begin a professional career in one of the many sectors of economy that employ personnel with a mathematical training. The Department strongly encourages mathematics majors to complete a minor in an area of their interest. This not only exposes students to the commonalities between mathematics and other bodies of knowledge but also equips them to pursue interdisciplinary graduate studies or careers anchored in mathematics. Through the mathematics courses offered for non-majors the Department strives to help students achieve proficiency in mathematical thinking both in its theoretical as well as applied forms. For students majoring in certain fields a mathematical knowledge is directly helpful in their chosen area of study. Such major programs may require students to take specific mathematics courses. For an enhanced mathematical foundation students can complete the minor program which introduces them to 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 quantitative means to make sense of, function in, and act upon the world they inhabit. The physics and physical science courses offered by the Department teach students the essential laws and principles that explain and predict a wide range of natural phenomena. These courses impart the empirical and conceptual methodology that defines the scientific epistemology. An understanding of the 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 mold a mindset that is capable of using a rationalist framework for questioning received wisdom and formulating new ideas.

B.S. in Mathematics
To be eligible for acceptance into the program for the degree, the student must have completed MA 201, and must have earned a grade “C” or better.

In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following is a specific core requirement:

• 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 321 Differential Equations                                                        
• MA 419 Modern Algebra                                                                 
• MA 430 Real Analysis                                                                      
• MA 490 Senior Seminar                                                                  
• At least 6 hours from:
• MA 235 History of Mathematics       
• MA 305 Advanced Statistics
• 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-based Modeling and Simulation  

Note: Although an internship is not required, it is strongly recommended.

Minor in Mathematics

• 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

Minor in Physics-Mathematics

• 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                                                                             

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

Faculty
Dr. Rajive Tiwari – Chair of Mathematics Department, Chair of Mathematics/Physics Department and 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 – 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