Affiliation: School of Science and Mathematics
THE MAJOR
The mission of the Mathematics program is to develop and maintain an active community of students and faculty whose common pursuit is the learning and teaching of mathematics in a liberal arts and sciences environment. This community encourages the view and use of mathematics both as a universal logical language and as a mode of inquiry. Mathematical inquiry requires studying assumptions critically, reasoning logically, evaluating objectively, and arriving at sound conclusions. The goal of the bachelor’s degree program is to provide each graduate with the foundation needed to pursue a professional career in mathematics through advanced study or employment. Graduates should be well qualified to enter strong graduate programs to prepare for teaching, research, or other professional employment. The major includes an extensive core of traditional and contemporary courses capped by five elective courses and a Senior Capstone that enable students to develop a concentration that prepares them for a career in statistics, pure, applied, or computational mathematics, or mathematics education.
THE DEGREE PROGRAM
The program of study for a major in mathematics builds on the University’s Dialogues but with the science requirement at a higher introductory level. Mathematics majors gain computer programming expertise through at least one computer science course. The major requirements are based upon a core of classical and contemporary mathematics courses that follow recommendations of the Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics of the Mathematical Association of America. At least one course in statistics is required. Finally, majors build upon the required core with five elective courses, chosen with the guidance of their advisor, to develop a concentration compatible with their interests and career goals. Beginning freshmen take a seminar which provides an opportunity for career exploration and interaction with faculty and other Mathematics majors. A junior seminar prepares students for their senior year and facilitates the transition from undergraduate to graduate school or to a first position in the work force. Review for senior exit exams and résumé writing are included in the junior seminar. As a graduation requirement, Mathematics majors complete a capstone seminar which provides an opportunity for them to study independently an area of mathematics and to synthesize and communicate the results obtained.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Several activities are available to encourage interaction among faculty and students and promote the development of learning communities. Students regularly participate in regional and national Mathematics competitions, such as the Missouri Collegiate Mathematics Competition, the Putnam Exam, and the COMAP Mathematical Modeling contest. The department offers a special topics course to help students sharpen their problem solving skills and prepare for these contests.
Student organizations provide opportunities for students to learn more about careers, to develop leadership skills, and to hear from professionals engaged in careers in mathematics. Some of these organizations include Kappa Mu Epsilon, a student chapter of the Mathematical Association of America, Mathematics and Science students in Secondary Education, and Society for Actuaries at Truman State University. Students may obtain credit and research experience by participating in a recognized national undergraduate research program in mathematics such as an REU site or in one of several research programs in mathematics sponsored by Truman.
Opportunities to develop skills in communicating mathematics are embedded in the curriculum and available to students in the form of employment as departmental tutors or graders and as research assistants to faculty. Faculty and student interactions resulting from these activities, social activities sponsored by the Department and student organizations, and professional development programs create a strong sense of community in the Department and enrich the student experience.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN MATHEMATICS
Honors in mathematics may be earned by maintaining an overall grade point average of 3.5, maintaining a major grade point average of 3.5, scoring at or above the 80th percentile on the MFT in mathematics, demonstrating excellence in scholarship with a scholarly paper or project, by an exemplary showing at an approved mathematics competition, or by passing at least two actuarial exams, and receiving the approval of a majority of the non-abstaining faculty in mathematics.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
