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  • Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing

    The Mathematics Program

    • We have a new Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics that is very flexible. With lesser requirements than our Bachelor in Science in Mathematics, it allows students to double major and/or to minor in something else. 
    • Our math graduates have gone to work in many different fields and positions, such as network security software developer, engineering, actuary, college professor, high school teacher, physician, corporate manager, attorney, banker, economic analyst, and college president. 
    • Those who went to graduate school were accepted into numerous high quality universities (e.g., U. of Albany, American University, U. of Arizona, Boston College, Bowling Green, Brandeis, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Duke, U. of Florida, George Mason, Indiana U. at Bloomington, U. of Kentucky, U. of Maryland, U. of Michigan, U. of North Carolina, Ohio U., Princeton U., Rice, Purdue, SUNY at Albany, Syracuse, Texas A&M, U. of Virginia, Washington U., Westchester U., William and Mary). 
    • 75% of our full-time faculty has a Ph.D. in Mathematics and is active in their research, publishing regularly in national and international refereed math journals. 
    • Our Math faculty members are very dedicated to students. They spend a lot of time each week outside the classroom working with and advising students. 
    • We recently started a Math Club, which allows math students to meet with each other, build friendships, and explore math topics. 
    • Several of our upperclassmen work as tutors for the math department, helping people in our lower level classes. 
    • The Math Department recently moved into the West Wing of the Dupré Science Pavilion. We now have a lot of room and brand new furniture!
    • Students earning a degree in mathematics will know the definitions of fundamental concepts and the major theorems of the core areas of undergraduate mathematics as outlined in course syllabi.
    • Students earning a degree in mathematics will be able to prove various propositions in the core areas of undergraduate mathematics and will appreciate the need for rigorous proof.
    • Students obtaining a degree in mathematics will be able to analyze and solve problems in the core areas of undergraduate mathematics.
    • All students at Saint Vincent College will have working knowledge of at least one mathematical "language" (beyond entry level) and its inherent tools, as well as an appreciation for both the utility and beauty of mathematics. 

    Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics 

    Major Requirements (58 credits)
    MA 111-112 Calculus I**, II - 8 credits
    MA 113 Calculus III - 4 credits
    MA 114 Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations - 4 credits
    MA 115 Linear Algebra - 3 credits
    MA 201-202 Abstract Algebra I, II - 8 credits
    MA 203 Complex Variables - 3 credits
    MA 204 Topology - 3 credits
    MA 206-207 Real Analysis I, II - 8 credits
    PH 111-112 General Physics I, II*-  6 credits
    PH 113-114 General Physics Laboratory I, II* - 2 credits
    CH 101-103 General Chemistry I and Laboratory# - 4 credits
    CH 102-104 General Chemistry II and Laboratory - 4 credits
    CS 110 Computing and Information Science I - 3 credits

    *General Physics I with Laboratory fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.
    #General Chemistry I with laboratory also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.
    ** Calculus I is a 4 credit course with 3 credits fulfilling the mathematics core.

    Suggested Electives
    BA 100-101 Elementary Accounting I, II - 6 credits
    CS 170 Discrete Structures I - 3 credits
    CS 270 Introduction to Numerical Computation - 3 credits

    Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics 

    Major Requirements (61 credits)
    MA 111-112 Calculus I**, II - 8 credits
    MA 113 Calculus III - 4 credits
    MA 114 Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations - 4 credits
    MA 115 Linear Algebra - 3 credits
    MA 201-202 Abstract Algebra I, II - 8 credits
    MA 203 Complex Variables - 3 credits
    MA 204 Topology - 3 credits
    MA 206-207 Real Analysis I, II - 8 credits
    MA 208 Probability and Statistics or MA 223 Mechanics: Statics - 3 credits

    *General Physics I with Laboratory fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.
    #General Chemistry I with laboratory also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.
    ** Calculus I is a 4 credit course with 3 credits fulfilling the mathematics core.

    Suggested Electives
    BA 100-101 Elementary Accounting I, II - 6 credits
    CS 170 Discrete Structures I - 3 credits
    CS 270 Introduction to Numerical Computation - 3 credits

    Requirements for Minor in Mathematics (at least 18 credits)
    MA 111 Calculus I - 4 credits
    MA 112 Calculus II - 4 credits
    MA 113 Calculus III - 4 credits

    Two courses elected from the following list:
    MA 114 Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations - 4 credits
    MA 115 Linear Algebra - 3 credits
    MA 117 Methods of Proof - 3 credits
    MA 201 Abstract Algebra I - 4 credits
    MA 202 Abstract Algebra II - 4 credits
    MA 203 Complex Variables - 3 credits
    MA 204 Topology - 3 credits
    MA 206 Real Analysis I - 4 credits
    MA 207 Real Analysis II - 4 credits
    MA 208 Probability and Statistics - 3 credits

    As a culminating activity, mathematics majors must take Abstract Algebra I or Real Analysis I during the first semester of their senior year. 

    Teacher Preparation
    All students who are interested in pursuing the teacher certification should contact the Chairperson of the Education Department at their earliest possible convenience (see additional information under the Education Department). The required Mathematics courses would be MA 111, MA 112, MA 113, MA 114, MA 115, MA 201, MA 206, MA 208, and MA 210. Other courses in other disciplines are also required.