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2011-2012 General/Graduate Catalog - Expires August 2017 
    
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2011-2012 General/Graduate Catalog - Expires August 2017 [Archived Catalog]

Mathematics (BA)

Affiliation: School of Sciences & 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. The Mathematical Mode of 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 Integrating Experience 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 Liberal Studies Program 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 approval 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 senior seminar 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 is included in the senior seminar. As a graduation requirement, Mathematics majors complete a capstone experience 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. Problem-solving groups meet with faculty to sharpen and challenge their skills and prepare for regional and national competitions such as the Mathematical Modeling contest and the Putnam Exam. The groups also attempt to solve problems posed in professional journals, thereby gaining insight and experience in the methods and techniques used by research mathematicians.

Student organizations, such as Kappa Mu Epsilon, a student chapter of the Mathematical Association of America, and Mathematics Students for Secondary Education provide opportunities for students to learn more about careers, to develop leadership skills, and to hear from professionals engaged in careers in mathematics. 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.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science holds a regular colloquium series featuring presentations about exciting developments in mathematics and the mathematical sciences. The talks are given by faculty from the Department or other departments, visiting faculty, and, on occasion, students. The talks may cover new areas of mathematical research, uses of mathematics in the “real world,” or aspects of mathematical culture. Students may find that the talks give them ideas for possible capstone or other undergraduate projects. The talks are also a great way to learn about the faculty members’ scholarly activities.

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 MFAT in mathematics, demonstrating excellence in scholarship with a scholarly paper or project or by an exemplary showing at an approved mathematics competition, and receiving the approval of a majority of the non-abstaining faculty in mathematics.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

Liberal Studies Program Requirements: 31-57 Credit Hours

Missouri Statute Requirement: 1-3 Credit Hours

Bachelor of Arts Requirement: 0-6 Credit Hours

  • Intermediate proficiency in ONE foreign language

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

The Mathematics major consists of two (2) parts: Required Support and Major Requirements. Each student must complete both parts.

Part I: Required Support: 15-16 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following

Part II: Major Requirements: 37-38 Credit Hours

  • Capstone Experience: 0-1 Credit Hours
    (see note below)
  • Mathematics Electives: 15 Credit Hours
    (see note below)

Electives to Total: 120 Credit Hours

Notes

Note: Most mathematics courses having a prerequisite mathematics course require a grade of “C” or higher in that course. Students should check prerequisites in the course descriptions.

Students seeking Missouri teacher certification as secondary mathematics teachers should select MATH 363 College Geometry in order to meet Missouri certification requirements and MATH 455 History of Mathematics I or MATH 456 History of Mathematics II for entry into the MAE program.

Elective Mathematics Courses

Choose courses totaling 15 credit hours from the following lists with at least one course from List A.

List A

List B

Note:

Courses offered under the numbers MATH 473, MATH 488, MATH 489, MATH 503, STAT 380, STAT 486, and STAT 487 may substitute for List B with the approval of the mathematics faculty. At most, six hours total credit from MATH 473 and MATH 489 may be counted as List B electives.


Mathematics majors may substitute at most one course from another discipline for a course in List B. Such a course must be at the 300 level or above, contain a strong mathematical component, and be approved by the mathematics faculty. A list of approved courses may be obtained in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department Office.

 

Transfer students majoring in mathematics must complete 18 semester hours in the major at Truman. This coursework must include 15 semester hours at the 300 level or higher.

Capstone Experience for Mathematics

Each student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics is required to complete a project demonstrating his/her ability to study independently some area of mathematics. The project will include a written report and an accompanying public presentation. Each project should be of such a nature that all three of the following criteria are satisfied:

  1. The student should learn some mathematics outside the classroom setting.
  2. The student should synthesize material obtained from different sources.
  3. The student should clearly communicate, orally and in writing, what he or she has learned.

Students are responsible for choosing a project and a supervisor. The project must be approved by the supervisor and by the Mathematics Undergraduate Committee. By the start of Midterm Break in the semester the student is planning to graduate, the student’s written report, approved by his/her supervisor, must be submitted to the Mathematics Undergraduate Committee. Upon committee approval, the supervisor will arrange the public presentation. Information about acceptable types of projects will be available in the Department Office.

NOTE: Students who double-major in mathematics and another discipline are allowed to meet the Capstone Integrating Experience requirement in the other discipline provided it requires a Capstone Integrating Experience. Students must submit the Verification of Capstone Experience form, signed by their capstone advisor, to the Department Office in VH 2100.