Nov 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Mathematics Major, B.S.


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Department of Mathematics and Statistics  

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences  

  Available Program Format(s): In-Person  

About the Program


The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers coursework leading to the bachelor of science degree. 

A degree in mathematics is useful in a variety of professional fields including, among many others, business, economics, computer science, government, education, technology, and science. Students are invited to consult with the department concerning career options.

Student Outcomes


  • Program Outcome 1: Graduates know the important mathematical facts related to their chosen concentration. 
  • Program Outcome 2: Graduates are able to think like mathematicians. 
  • Program Outcome 3: Graduates are able to write a good proof. 
  • Program Outcome 4: Graduates are able to explain mathematical ideas clearly.

General Degree Requirements


To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

Program Requirements


  • A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation. 
  • All majors in mathematics are required to complete the following basic core of courses (with a required minimum grade of “C-” in each of these courses).
  • A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.  

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  

  • Written Communication (6 credits) 
  • Oral Communication (3 credits) 
  • Quantitative Literacy (3 credits) 
  • Arts and Humanities (6 credits) 
  • Historical (3 credits) 
  • Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**) 

 

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences. 

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


  • Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement  for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.  
  • Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement. 

Note:


Each major is required to take a Senior Experience course. The following mathematics courses have been approved as Senior Experience courses: MTH 4210 , MTH 4410 , MTH 4480 , and MTL 4630 . The course MTH 3240  does not count toward a mathematics major or a mathematics minor.

The student may choose to complete a mathematics major in one of the following concentrations:

  • General
  • Mathematics Education
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Theoretical Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematics

General Concentration: 41 credits


The general concentration in mathematics is designed to meet the needs of students with diverse mathematical interests or background, since it allows considerable flexibility among upper division course choices. A grade of “C-” or better is required in each course included in the major.

Required Courses: 15 credits


  • Basic Core: 15 credits

One of the following three courses: 4 credits


A minimum of 22 credit hours chosen from:


MTH 2140*, or any upper-division mathematics courses with the exception of MTH 3240. The 22 credit hours must include at least 20 upper-division hours, at least seven hours of 4000-level courses in mathematics, including at least one Senior Experience course in mathematics, and one of the following sequences:

Senior Experience: 4 credits


Senior experience credit counted elsewhere in concentration.

Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements33 credits
ESSJ Requirement0-3 credits
Basic Core15 credits
General Concentration Courses26 credits
Senior Experiencecounted elsewhere in concentration
Unrestricted Electives43-49 credits
Total for the Mathematics Major, B.S., General Concentration120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

Applied Mathematics Concentration: 43 credits


The concentration in applied mathematics is designed to meet the needs of the scientific, technical, and computer-based economy and to prepare the student for graduate study. The department has made every effort to have state-of-the-art technologies and practices available for student use. A grade of “C-” or better is required in each course included in the major.

Required Courses: 15 credits


  • Basic Core: 15
One of the following three courses: 4 credits

All four of the following courses: 16-20 credits

Two of the following courses: 8 credits

Notes:

*MTH 3130 and one of the following (MTH 3110 or MTH 3650 or MTH 4110 or MTH 4150 or MTH 4410 or MTH 4660) may substitute for MTH 3140.

**Students who are considering graduate school in mathematics are strongly encouraged to take MTH 4410.

Senior Experience: 4 credits


Senior experience credit counted elsewhere in concentration.

Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements33 credits
ESSJ Requirement0-3 credits
Basic Core15 credits
Applied Mathematics Concentration Courses28-32 credits
Senior Experiencecounted elsewhere in concentration
Unrestricted Electives37-47 credits
Total for the Mathematics Major, B.S., Applied Mathematics Concentration120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

Probability and Statistics Concentration: 43 credits


The concentration in probability and statistics stresses the application of the principles and methods of statistics and probability to the biological, physical, social sciences, and engineering.  This concentration also prepares the students for graduate study in the area of statistics.  A grade of “C-“ or better is required in all courses included in the major.

Required Courses: 15 credits


Basic Core: 15

One of the following two courses: 4 credits


One of the following four courses: 4 credits


Senior Experience: 4 credits


Senior experience credit counted elsewhere in concentration.

Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements33 credits
ESSJ Requirement0-3 credits
Basic Core15 credits
Probability and Statistics Concentration Courses28 credits
Senior Experiencecounted elsewhere in concentration
Unrestricted Electives41-47 credits
Total for the Mathematics Major, B.S., Probability and Statistics Concentration120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

Theoretical Mathematics Concentration: 40-41 credits


The concentration in theoretical mathematics prepares the student for further specialized study at the graduate level as well as being adaptable to positions in business, industry, and government. A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses included in the major.

Required Courses: 15 credits


  • Basic Core: 15

One of the following four courses: 4 credits


All four of the following courses: 15-19 credits


Senior Experience: 4 credits


Senior experience credit counted elsewhere in concentration.

Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements33 credits
ESSJ Requirement0-3 credits
Basic Core15 credits
Theoretical Concentration Requirements25-26 credits
Senior Experiencecounted elsewhere in concentration
Unrestricted Electives39-50 credits
Total for the Mathematics Major, B.S., Theoretical Mathematics Concentration120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

Note:


*MTH 3130 and one of the following (MTH 3640 or MTH 3650 or MTH 4150) may substitute for MTH 3140.

Mathematics Education Concentration:


The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a major in Mathematics with a concentration in Mathematics Education through two degree tracks: 

1) Licensure in Secondary or Middle Mathematics Education: This track fulfills the requirements for secondary or middle mathematics education Colorado state licensure. Degree completion requires the courses listed for Mathematics Core, Mathematics Education Concentration, and Educational Foundations and Methods. 

2) Non-Licensure: For degree completion this track requires the Mathematics Core, Mathematics Education Concentration, and additional coursework to meet the 120 hour graduation requirement. 

Candidates are required to meet with one or more of the faculty advisors in the mathematics education concentration area as well as a secondary education advisor as they plan their academic program. The Mathematics Major with Mathematics Education Concentration requires completion of the courses listed below and satisfaction of the minimum grade requirements. Any of the courses required for the major that were taken more than ten years ago will need to be repeated unless currency of knowledge in the concepts of the course can be demonstrated.

Student Outcomes

The goals of this program are to provide degree-seeking candidates with:

  1. broad-based and coherent preparation in the various disciplines that constitute the mathematical sciences; and
  2. the pedagogical knowledge of mathematics needed to begin a career as a middle or high school mathematics teacher. Track 1 will also provide candidates the opportunity to complete state requirements for obtaining Colorado licensure.

Program Requirements


  • A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
  • A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.
  • Track 2 of this program does not meet the 120 hours of coursework required for graduation so additional coursework will be required. See your mathematics education advisor for recommended coursework.
  • This program with licensure is defined as an extended major .

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion. The recommended General Studies courses listed below can also satisfy additional degree program requirements beyond General Studies.

 

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


Required Courses: 15 credits


  • Basic Core: 15

Senior Experience: 4 credits


Concentration Courses: 29-47 credits


Educational Foundations and Methods:


Continuation for TRACK 1: Licensure Option 

​Students seeking teacher licensure at the secondary level with endorsement in mathematics must take the following sequence of courses and be admitted to the teacher education program (see notes below). Students should pay particular attention to corequisites and prerequisites.

Note: This section not required for Track 2: Non-Licensure option. Students pursuing a Mathematics Major with a Mathematics Education Concentration but who are NOT seeking licensure are not required to complete the following courses but are instead required to complete the requirements listed under TRACK 2 below.

Required Courses: 38 credits


All candidates must obtain admission to the teacher preparation program before they can register for their first field experience course(s) - EDS 3140 - First Field Experience in Secondary Education . See the following page and consult with an education advisor for details: https://www.msudenver.edu/education/apply/

​​​​​​​Students must also achieve satisfactory scores on the state licensure examination. See your advisor for more information.

Summary of Requirements


Track 1: Mathematics Education Concentration with Licensure

General Studies Requirements33 credits
ESSJ Requirement0-3 credits
Basic Core15 credits
Concentration Courses29-47 credits
Track 1: Licensure Option38 credits
Senior Experience4 credits
Unrestricted Electives0-10 credits
Total for the Mathematics Major, B.S., Mathematics Education Concentration, Track 1Minimum of 120 credits


Track 2: Mathematics Education Concentration, Non-Licensure

General Studies Requirements33 credits
ESSJ Requirement0-3 credits
Basic Core15 credits
Concentration Courses29-47 credits
Senior Experience4 credits
Unrestricted Electives to complete the 120 hour graduation requirement18-42 credits
Total for the Mathematics Major, B.S., Mathematics Education Concentration, Track 2120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

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