Mathematics Majors & Minors
Mathematical Sciences
The study of mathematics encourages the development of skills in analytical thinking and problem solving that have wide applicability. Students who graduate with a major in the department have continued their educations in fields as disparate as mathematics, computer science, physics, operations research, law, business, music, religion, dentistry and medicine; others have accepted employment in a wide variety of occupations. The department has a long tradition of successfully preparing students for the actuarial profession.
Mathematics
A major and minor is offered in Mathematics. The basic sequence of courses for Mathematics majors is MATH 151, 152, 223, 251 and 270. Advanced placement and credit can be granted for satisfactory performance on national or departmental examinations.
Actuarial Science
Actuarial science is a well-established business major that involves the application of mathematics, statistics, finance, insurance, and data science to manage risk in insurance, finance, and other industries. Individuals who work in this field are known as actuaries. They are responsible for analyzing data, developing models, and designing solutions to help individuals and organizations manage risk. Our actuarial curriculum is designed to prepare students for the series of professional examinations needed to be practicing actuaries in insurance companies and consulting firms. It also provides students with a solid foundation in quantitative and critical thinking skills, data analysis skills, and strong communication and business skills necessary to pursue a career in related fields, such as risk management, business analytics, quantitative finance, investment, data science, etc.
Data Science
Numerous inquiries today are advanced through finding the story behind the data; frequently, Data Science builds the road from the what to the why. Through an interdisciplinary approach using Statistics, Mathematics, and Computer Science, this program delivers principles, methodology, and guidelines for conducting data analysis by providing tools, values, and insights. Data Science helps prepare students for success in an increasingly data-driven world, enhances analytical and problem-solving skills, and strengthens communication skills.
Requirements for a major
Actuarial Science
| Total courses required | Ten |
|---|---|
| Core courses |
|
| Other required courses | Two (one from each list):
One from the following courses (listed by area of specialization)
|
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Five |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | The senior requirement consists of MATH 494 or MATH 495. |
| Additional information | MATH 332/BUSA 332 and MATH 442 are one-half credit courses and will be offered in the same semester as MATH 331/BUSA 331 and MATH 441 respectively. A student may not major in both Actuarial Science and in Mathematics. A student may not major in Actuarial Science and minor in Mathematics. |
| Writing in the Major | Actuarial Science majors develop their writing expertise by taking the classes Math 223, or Foundations of Advanced Mathematics, and Math 270, Linear Algebra or Math 336, An introduction to Financial Engineering. In lower level courses, significant emphasis will be placed on what it means to express mathematical thoughts and concepts through writing. In Math 336, emphasis will be placed on writing the project process and analyze the financial data by applying the theorems and techniques learned in class. Students are expected to explain the core mathematical tools and fundamental concepts of financial engineering in their papers. Discussion of writing in Actuarial Science takes place throughout the Actuarial Science curriculum, but receives special emphasis in these courses, where students have many opportunities to revise their writing after receiving feedback from the instructor and to integrate mathematical and financial symbols and prose writing, in the form of a cogent argument. The writing in the major requirement in Actuarial Science culminates in the math senior seminar, where students produce an expository paper of approximately twenty pages. |
Actuarial Science (declared prior to July 1, 2023)
| Total courses required | Ten |
|---|---|
| Core courses | MATH 151, MATH 152, ECON 100 |
| Other required courses |
|
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Five |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | The senior requirement consists of MATH 494 or MATH 495. |
| Additional information | MATH 332 and MATH 442 are one-half credit courses and will be offered in the same semester as MATH 331 and MATH 441 respectively. A student may not major in both Actuarial Science and in Mathematics. A student may not major in Actuarial Science and minor in Mathematics. |
| Recent changes in major | Add three 300-level courses in the elective course list and one course in the Senior requirement and Capstone Experience. |
| Writing in the Major | Actuarial Science majors develop their writing expertise by taking the classes Math 223, or Foundations of Advanced Mathematics, and Math 270, Linear Algebra or Math 336, An introduction to Financial Engineering. In lower level courses, significant emphasis will be placed on what it means to express mathematical thoughts and concepts through writing. In Math 336, emphasis will be placed on writing the project process and analyze the financial data by applying the theorems and techniques learned in class. Students are expected to explain the core mathematical tools and fundamental concepts of financial engineering in their papers. Discussion of writing in Actuarial Science takes place throughout the Actuarial Science curriculum, but receives special emphasis in these courses, where students have many opportunities to revise their writing after receiving feedback from the instructor and to integrate mathematical and financial symbols and prose writing, in the form of a cogent argument. The writing in the major requirement in Actuarial Science culminates in the math senior seminar, where students produce an expository paper of approximately twenty pages. |
Mathematics
| Total courses required | Ten |
|---|---|
| Core courses | MATH 151, MATH 152, MATH 223, MATH 251, MATH 270, MATH 495 |
| Other required courses | Students planning graduate work in mathematics should include MATH 361 and MATH 371. Students concentrating in actuarial mathematics should include MATH 331 and MATH 441. MATH 341 or MATH 348 is also highly recommended. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Four (not including MATH 495) |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | MATH 495 |
| Writing in the Major | Mathematics majors develop their writing expertise by taking the classes Math 223, Foundations of Advanced Mathematics, and Math 270, Linear Algebra. In these courses, significant emphasis will be placed on what it means to express mathematical thoughts and concepts through writing. Discussion of writing in Mathematics takes place throughout the mathematics curriculum, but receives special emphasis in these courses, where students have many opportunities to revise their writing after receiving feedback from the instructor and to integrate mathematical symbols and prose writing, in the form of a cogent argument. The writing in the major requirement in Mathematics culminates in the senior seminar, where students produce an expository paper of approximately twenty pages. |
Requirements for a minor
Applied Statistics
| Total courses required | 5 |
|---|---|
| Core courses | MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 341. (ECON 350, BIO 275, PSY 214 may be substituted for MATH 141) |
| Other required courses | Two courses from: MATH 247, MATH 261, MATH 340, MATH 348, MATH 441, MATH 423, ECON 450. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | 2 |
Data Science
| Total courses required | 5 |
|---|---|
| Core courses | MATH 141 or PSY 214 or ECON 350 or BIO 375, MATH 261 or CSC 370, MATH 341 or ECON 385 or ECON 450, CSC 121,CSC 125. |
| Other required courses | |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses |
Mathematics
| Total courses required | Five |
|---|---|
| Core courses | MATH 151, MATH 152, MATH 223, MATH 270 |
| Other required courses | |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | One |