Undergraduate programs

The mathematical sciences have long provided the proper language of the physical sciences and engineering, and they are playing an increasingly important role in areas as diverse as data science, computer science, the social sciences, business administration and economics, and the biological and medical sciences.  Many are drawn to the study of mathematics and statistics precisely because of this broad applicability.  Others are attracted by the rigorous training these disciplines provide in abstract reasoning, and the many surprising results and elegant arguments they encounter.  The department offers a wide variety of courses in mathematics and statistics to meet the needs of a student body having very diverse interests.  Anyone who would like to learn more about the department’s faculty, programs, courses, activities and other services is encouraged to explore the department website, or visit the department office.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Mathematics B.A./B.S.

Data Science B.S.

Mathematics Minor

Mathematics for Middle School Teachers Minor

Mathematics Licensure

Mathematics B.A./B.S.

The degree program requires a basic core of courses (44 credits) and elective courses (18-21 credits). This structure gives flexibility to the program that allows students to pursue special areas of interest in mathematics. The program is designed to provide a foundation for more advanced work and/or a basis for employment in business, government, industry, or secondary education.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the general University degree requirements, the major in mathematics must complete the following requirements:

Courses

Mth 251Calculus I

4

Mth 252Calculus II

4

Mth 253Calculus III

4

Mth 261Introduction to Linear Algebra

4

Mth 254Calculus IV

4

Mth 255Calculus V

4

Mth 256Applied Ordinary Differential Equations

4

 

Mth 271Mathematical Computing

4

or

CS 161Introduction to Programming and Problem-Solving

4

  

Mth 311Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I

4

Mth 312Introduction to Mathematical Analysis II

4

Mth 344Introduction to Group Theory and Applications

4

Additional Requirements chosen from Approved List of courses-sequences

Mth/Stat (one)Approved two-term 400-level Mth or Stat sequence

6

Mth/Stat (two)Approved 400-level Mth or Stat courses

6-7

Mth/Stat (two)Approved 300- or 400-level Mth or Stat courses

6-8

Total Credit Hours:  62-65

Approved electives are:

Mth 300Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning

4

Mth 313Advanced Multivariate Calculus

4

Mth 322Applied Partial Differential Equations

4

Mth 324Vector Analysis

4

Mth 338Modern College Geometry

4

Mth 343Applied Linear Algebra

4

Mth 345Introduction to Ring and Field Theory

4

Mth 346Number Theory

4

Mth 356Discrete Mathematics

4

Mth 371Large-Scale Data Algorithms

4

Mth 411Introduction to Real Analysis I

3

Mth 412Introduction to Real Analysis II

3

Mth 413Introduction to Real Analysis III

3

Mth 420Introduction to Complexity Theory

3

Mth 421Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I

3

Mth 422Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II

3

Mth 423Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations III

3

Mth 424Elementary Differential Geometry I

3

Mth 425Elementary Differential Geometry II

3

Mth 427Partial Differential Equations I

3

Mth 428Partial Differential Equations II

3

Mth 430Topics in Mathematical Modeling

3

Mth 431Topics in Geometry I

3

Mth 432Topics in Geometry II

3

Mth 433Topics in Geometry III

3

Mth 434Set Theory and Topology I

3

Mth 435Set Theory and Topology II

3

Mth 436Set Theory and Topology III

3

Mth 441Introduction to Abstract Algebra I

3

Mth 442Introduction to Abstract Algebra II

3

Mth 443Introduction to Abstract Algebra III

3

Mth 444Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra I

3

Mth 445Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra II

3

Mth 449Topics in Advanced Number Theory

3

Mth 451Numerical Calculus I

3

Mth 452Numerical Calculus II

3

Mth 453Numerical Calculus III

3

Mth 456Topics in Combinatorics

3

Mth 457The Mathematical Theory of Games I

3

Mth 458The Mathematical Theory of Games II

3

Mth 461Graph Theory I

3

Mth 462Graph Theory II

3

Mth 464Numerical Optimization I

3

Mth 465Numerical Optimization II

3

Mth 470Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I

3

Mth 471Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems II

3

Mth 472Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems III

3

Mth 477Mathematical Control Theory I

3

Mth 478Mathematical Control Theory II

3

Mth 481Topics in Probability for Mathematics Teachers

3

Mth 482Topics in Statistics for Mathematics Teachers

3

Mth 483Topics in Geometry for Mathematics Teachers

3

Mth 484Topics in Algebra for Mathematics Teachers

3

Mth 485Topics in Analysis for Mathematics Teachers

3

Mth 486Topics in The History of Mathematics

3

Mth 487Topics in Discrete Mathematics for Mathematics Teachers

3

Mth 488Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers

3

Stat 361Introduction to Statistical Methods

4

Stat 363Statistical Computing and Data Visualization in R

4

Stat 364Modern Regression Analysis

4

Stat 387Introduction to Statistical Learning

4

Stat 451Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I

4

Stat 452Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II

3

Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3

Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3

Stat 463Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III

3

Stat 464Applied Regression Analysis

3

Stat 465Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I

3

Stat 466Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II

3

Stat 467Applied Probability I

3

Stat 468Applied Probability II

3

Check with the department for the list of approved Mth or Stat sequences and for additional courses, including omnibus-numbered courses, which may be approved as electives.

All courses used to satisfy the mathematical major requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C-, P, or above, but no more than 4 courses graded P will count toward these requirements. Transfer students majoring in mathematics are required to take a minimum of 15 credits of PSU upper-division mathematics or statistics courses in residence.

Mathematics B.A./B.S. Options

In addition to the specific required courses, the following options are intended to help the student plan a program of study with a specific goal or career in mind.

Option I—Applied Mathematics

Recommended electives:

Mth 322Applied Partial Differential Equations

4

Mth 343Applied Linear Algebra

4

Mth 371Large-Scale Data Algorithms

4

Mth 421Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I

3

Mth 422Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II

3

Mth 424Elementary Differential Geometry I

3

Mth 425Elementary Differential Geometry II

3

Mth 427Partial Differential Equations I

3

Mth 428Partial Differential Equations II

3

Mth 430Topics in Mathematical Modeling

3

Mth 451Numerical Calculus I

3

Mth 452Numerical Calculus II

3

Mth 457The Mathematical Theory of Games I

3

Mth 458The Mathematical Theory of Games II

3

Mth 464Numerical Optimization I

3

Mth 465Numerical Optimization II

3

Mth 470Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I

3

Mth 477Mathematical Control Theory I

3

Mth 478Mathematical Control Theory II

3

Option II—Graduate School Preparation

Recommended electives:

Mth 411Introduction to Real Analysis I

3

Mth 412Introduction to Real Analysis II

3

Mth 413Introduction to Real Analysis III

3

Mth 434Set Theory and Topology I

3

Mth 435Set Theory and Topology II

3

Mth 436Set Theory and Topology III

3

Mth 441Introduction to Abstract Algebra I

3

Mth 442Introduction to Abstract Algebra II

3

Mth 443Introduction to Abstract Algebra III

3

Option III—Statistics

Recommended electives:

Stat 361Introduction to Statistical Methods

4

Stat 363Statistical Computing and Data Visualization in R

4

Stat 364Modern Regression Analysis

4

Stat 387Introduction to Statistical Learning

4

Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3

Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3

Stat 463Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III

3

Stat 464Applied Regression Analysis

3

Stat 465Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I

3

Stat 466Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II

3

Stat 467Applied Probability I

3

Stat 468Applied Probability II

3

Option IV—High School Teaching

Recommended electives:

Mth 338Modern College Geometry

4

Mth 346Number Theory

4

Mth 356Discrete Mathematics

4

Mth 486Topics in The History of Mathematics

3

Mth 488Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers

3

Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3

Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3

See also the Mathematics Licensure section.

Option V—Actuarial Science

Recommended electives:

Mth 271Mathematical Computing

4

Mth 451Numerical Calculus I

3

Mth 452Numerical Calculus II

3

Stat 451Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I

4

Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3

Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3

Stat 463Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III

3

Stat 464Applied Regression Analysis

3

Stat 465Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I

3

Stat 466Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II

3

Stat 467Applied Probability I

3

Stat 468Applied Probability II

3

Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track

The Honors Track in Mathematics and Statistics offers an opportunity for outstanding mathematics majors to engage in independent research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students who successfully complete the honors track will receive notice of this distinction on their academic transcripts and on their diplomas.

The requirements for admission to the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track are:

  1. Completion of 12 credits in the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 4 of which should be at a 300-level or above;
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 points and a minimum GPA of 3.67 points in the mathematics major;
  3. A complete application form submitted to the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics no later than three quarters before graduation.

Requirements

The Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track requirements for graduation are:

Courses

Mth 251Calculus I

4

Mth 252Calculus II

4

Mth 253Calculus III

4

Mth 254Calculus IV

4

Mth 255Calculus V

4

Mth 261Introduction to Linear Algebra

4

Mth 256Applied Ordinary Differential Equations

4

Mth 311Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I

4

Mth 312Introduction to Mathematical Analysis II

4

Mth 344Introduction to Group Theory and Applications

4

Mth 401Honors Project

3

 

Mth 271Mathematical Computing

4

or

CS 161Introduction to Programming and Problem-Solving

4

Additional Requirements chosen from Approved List of courses-sequences

Mth/Stat (two)Approved 400-level sequences

12

Mth/Stat (one)Approved 300- or 400-level elective course

3-4

The chair of the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics, in consultation with faculty, will assign the students a faculty honors project adviser to guide their research. The research topic will be at a 400-level or above and will not have been discussed or presented in courses the students have taken. Concluding the work, the students will give an oral presentation of the honors project to faculty and students.

Students must have a cumulative GPA no lower than 3.5 points and a GPA no lower than 3.67 points in the major.

No mathematics or statistics courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option are acceptable towards fulfilling the requirements for the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track. Transfer students majoring in mathematics are required to take a minimum of 15 credits of PSU upper-division mathematics or statistics courses in residence.

The chair and an undergraduate adviser will monitor the progress of the students accepted in the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track. If this progress and/or performance are found to be unsatisfactory and if corrective actions cannot be identified, the students will be dropped from the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track (the students may opt out to pursue a regular mathematics major or to select another major).

University Honors College Students
Students in the University Honors College majoring in mathematics have two options for completing their Honors thesis project:

Option 1: Apply to join the Mathematics Departmental Honors Track program, complete the required coursework, and register for Hon 403: Thesis Prospectus (4 credits) in the quarter immediately preceding the Mth 401: Honors Project (3 credits). During the thesis prospectus course students will work with their mathematics honors project adviser in the department of Mathematics and Statistics to identify a research question and topic, which they will then carry out during the quarter they are registered for Mth 401. University Honors College will accept the Mth 401 credits in lieu of additional Hon 403 thesis credits. The Mth 401 research project will fulfill the honors thesis requirement. (Students are permitted to register for Hon 403: Thesis Continuation credits if they would prefer additional support or credit hours.)  Students are required to give an oral presentation of their completed research projects to faculty and students in the Mathematics and Statistics department as well as at the Honors Thesis symposium for University Honors College faculty and students. Students earn both Mathematics Departmental Honors and University Honors.

Option 2: University Honors College students who do not meet the minimum requirements or who choose not to join the Mathematics Departmental Honors Track program must still fulfill the requirements of two approved 400 level sequences in mathematics and/or statistics. They are then eligible to proceed with the math honors research project, taking Hon 403: Thesis Prospectus and then Mth 401: Honors Project under the supervision of a Mathematics and Statistics faculty adviser. Students earn University Honors but not Departmental Honors.