The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics is designed to provide a strong grounding in mathematics for students considering graduate school in mathematics or a closely allied field. All students majoring in mathematics start with a basic core of required mathematics courses. For the B.S. degree the student then builds on this foundation with a selection of nine upper-division mathematics courses, chosen to include pure mathematics courses in real analysis and algebra, a statistics course at the upper division level, two completed upper division sequences including one in pure mathematics, and electives to complete the required nine upper division courses. Students must also take at least one course in computer programming and one course in another discipline that has a strong mathemtical or computational component, which cannot be a course counting for any other part of the B.S. requirements (for example, the B.S. core). The requirements for the B.S. in Mathematics follow the recommendations of the Mathematics Association of America for degree programs in mathematics that prepare students for graduate work.
Required Courses
Students majoring in mathematics start with a core of five courses (18 hours).
- MATH 1510 Calculus I
- MATH 1520 Calculus II
- MATH 2530 Calculus III (must be taken at St. Louis University with a grade of at least “C-”)
- MATH 2660 Principles of Mathematics
- MATH 3120 Introduction to Linear Algebra
Students pursuing a B.S. in mathematics must pass at least nine further additional upper-division mathematics (beyond MATH 3120). A GPA of 2.00 ("C" average) or higher is required in upper-division mathematics courses counting toward the major (including MATH 3120). The additional upper-division courses are built around year-long sequences of courses in five areas of mathematics:
- Differential Equations: MATH 3550 and either MATH 4550 or MATH 4570
- Algebra: MATH 4110 and either MATH 4120 or MATH 4150
- Real Analysis: MATH 4210 and either MATH 4220 or MATH 4230
- Complex Analysis: MATH 4310 and either MATH 4320 or MATH 4360 (these two courses are offered sporadically)
- Probability and Statistics: MATH/STAT 3850 and one of MATH/STAT 4800, MATH/STAT 4840, or MATH/STAT 4870.
- Other upper division courses are offered on an occasional basis.
Pure Mathematics Requirement (6 hours)
The B.S. in Mathematics requires both MATH 4110 Introduction to Abstract Algebra and MATH 4210 Introduction to Real Analysis.
Statistics Requirement (3 hours)
The B.S. in Mathematics requires at least one statistics course (with a MATH or STAT designation) at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Sequence Requirement (6-9 hours)
Students are required to complete two upper division sequences, one of which must be in pure mathematics (a sequence starting with either MATH 4110 or MATH 4210). The other sequence will depend on the further educational and career plans of the individual student. (If the second selected sequence is a second pure mathematics sequence or a statistics sequence, then this requirement takes only a further 6 hours to complete rather than 9 hours).
Mathematics Electives (9-12 hours)
Students select three or four upper division mathematics courses to bring the total number of additional mathematics courses beyond MATH 3120 to nine (27 hours), except for MATH 3270 and MATH 4050. Students can use these courses to customize their curriculum to their individual interests.
Computer Programming (3-4 hours)
Students completing a B.S. in Mathematics must take at least one computer programming class. Options include CSCI 1060 Scientific Programming and CSCI 1300 Introduction to Object Oriented Programming.
Allied Elective (3-4 hours)
Students will be required to take an additional course in another discipline that has a strong mathematical or computational component. Appropriate courses are available in computer science, economics, physics and other science and engineering disciplines. This course cannot be used to satisfy any of the other requirements for a B.S. degree. Introductory level (non-calculus based) statistics courses, including research methods, econometrics and biometrics courses, do not meet the "Allied Elective" requirement. A list of courses that satisfy the requirement is provided below. With pre-approval of the department chair, other courses may be allowed to satisfy the requirement.
- BIOL 4030 Introduction to Genomics.
- CHEM 4300 Mathematical Technique in Chemistry
- Any 3 or 4 hour course in computer science (CSCI), in addition to the one course required for the B.S. in Mathematics.
- EAS 3330, EAS 3500, EAS 4330 (more advanced EAS classes that could satisfy the requirement already have at least one of these in the prerequisite sequence).
- Any 3 or 4 hour upper division (3000 or 4000 level) economics class (ECON) (paying attention to prerequisites), excluding ECON 3010.
- PHIL 4080 Advanced Symbolic Logic (noting that this course has a prerequisite of PHIL 4040).
- Any 3 or 4 hour course in Physics (PHYS) number 1610 or higher, not already counting toward the B.S. core requirement in laboratory sciences. (Note: PHYS 1610 should not be taken for credit if the student already has taken PHYS 1310 or equivalent for credit).
- Any 3 or 4 hour course in Engineering that has a calculus (at least MATH 1510) or Engineering Physics (PHYS 1610) prerequisite (paying attention to other prerequisites): AENG 2000 (or higher numbered courses with AENG 2000 in the prerequisite sequence), BME 3100, BME 3200, BME 3300, ECE 3140, ECE 3150, ECE 4120, ECE 4153, ECE 4151, ESCI 2100, ESCI 2150, ESCI 2300 (or higher numbered ESCI courses with at least one of ESCI 2100-2200 in the prerequisite sequence), MENG 2000, MENG 4530, MENG 4150.