Mathematics Major
The major in Mathematics is the foundation of the Department's curriculum. The basic program can be complemented with further courses depending upon a student's interest. Common directions of targeted preparation include graduate studies in a mathematical science and careers in statistics, finance, or operations research. Graduates have used a Mathematics major as preparation for seemingly non-mathematical careers ranging from law to business to the ministry. Recent LVC graduates have obtained positions such as: operations research analyst, bank credit analyst, marketing manager, and mutual fund accountant. Other mathematics graduates have taken positions involving computer system support and installation.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics
Required courses:
MAS 099 Presentation Attendance| The aim of this course is exposure to mathematics beyond the classroom curriculum. The course requirement is attendance at a minimum of six formal presentations on mathematical topics given at conferences, colloquia or symposia at a minimum of two separate events (that is, a conference or event). Presentations should have a title and abstract and may be given by faculty or students; poster sessions do not count. |
| A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. |
| Second semester of a calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. |
| An introduction to college mathematics for potential mathematical science majors. |
| Second semester. Introduction to college mathematics for potential mathematical science majors. |
| Introduction to logic, set theory and proof techniques. |
| An introduction to linear algebra including systems of equations, vectors spaces and linear transformations. |
| Introduction to mathematical ideas used in computing and information sciences: logic, sets and sequences, matrices, combinatorics, induction, relations and finite graphs. |
| Multivariate calculus including partial differentiation, multiple integration, vector fields and vector functions. |
Take five (5) more MAS courses subject to:
At most one of MAS 266, MAS 270, or ASC 385
At least four fof MAS 311, 322, 325, 335, 371, 372, 390
At least one of MAS 311 or MAS 322
A 400 level ASC course mas substitute for MAS 335 and ASC 385 may be substituted for MAS 266 or MAS 270
ASC 385 Mathematics of Finance I| Measurement of interest, time value of money, annuities, amortization and sinking funds, bonds, capitalized cost, net present value, yield rates, yield curves, duration, immunization; derivative products including calls, puts, forwards, and swaps. |
| An introduction to ordinary differential equations. |
| A more advanced version of MAS 170 intended for students with some calculus background. |
| Convergent and divergent series, limits, continuity, differentiability and integrability; Fourier series. |
| Introduction to algebraic structures including groups, rings and fields. |
| Axiomatic development of absolute, Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries. |
| Introduction to some operations research techniques including linear programming, queuing theory, project scheduling, simulation and decision analysis. |
| A mathematical introduction to probability, discrete and continuous random variables, and sampling. |
| An introduction to the mathematical foundations of statistics including sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear models and multivariate distributions. |
Total of 37 credits
Mathematics majors are advised to take at least one computer science course or have equivalent experience.
For students transferring into the Department of Mathematical Sciences after having completed two semesters of calculus, the MAS 111, 112, 113, 114 requirement may be replaced with MAS 161, 162, and one other MAS course numbered 200 or higher, which is not otherwise used to fulfill the requirements of the student's major and is approved by the student's advisor.