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[College of Arts and Sciences]

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS (MATH)

Professor Zhijian Wu, Chairperson
Office: 345 Gordon Palmer Hall

Mathematics placement. Each student entering the University takes a mathematics placement examination. A student placed in MATH 005 must complete MATH 005 as a prerequisite for MATH 100. A student placed in MATH 100 must complete MATH 100 as a prerequisite for MATH 110, MATH 112, MATH 115, or any other MA-designated course. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all prerequisite mathematics courses except MATH 110 (see the course description in this catalog for prerequisites for MATH 110). After passing a 200-level mathematics course, a student cannot take any lower-numbered prerequisite mathematics course for credit toward a degree.

Requirements for a major in mathematics. There are five tracks leading to the B.S. degree with a major in mathematics, each requiring 36 hours of mathematics courses. A minimum of 12 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus. In addition, each requires 7 hours of computer science consisting of CS 114:116, CS 124, and 6 hours of mathematics related electives.

The requirements for each track are specified below. All course prerequisites must be satisfied before a student enrolls in any math course.

Pure Mathematics Track

The coursework below is required; in addition, students must earn at least 9 hours in 400-level mathematics courses. Students considering graduate study in mathematics are advised to incorporate into their programs MATH 465, MATH 471, and MATH 481, as well as MATH 485 or MATH 583.

Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 2571 3
MATH 371, MATH 380, and MATH 470 9
MATH 465, MATH 471, or MATH 481 3
Approved mathematics electives2 6
___
36

1MATH 257 is the preferred preparation for MATH 371, MATH 380, and MATH 470 rather than MATH 237. In order to accommodate students who decide to study advanced mathematics after taking MATH 237, the mathematics department may accept MATH 237 in place of MATH 257 as a prerequisite. However, when it is in the best interest of the student to do so, MATH 257 will be required. Students who have not yet taken linear algebra and who plan to take any of MATH 371, MATH 380, or MATH 470 should always take MATH 257 rather than MATH 237.
2Approved mathematics electives for mathematics majors: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 307, MATH 321, MATH 343, MATH 355, MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 410, MATH 411, MATH 413, MATH 421, MATH 428, MATH 432, MATH 441, MATH 442, MATH 451, MATH 452, MATH 460, MATH 465, MATH 466, MATH 470, MATH 471, MATH 481, MATH 485, MATH 495

Applied Mathematics — Numerical Track

Students in this track who are considering graduate work in computational mathematics are advised to complete at least three of the following: MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 413, MATH 432.

Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 343, MATH 410, MATH 411, and MATH 441 12
Approved mathematics electives1 6
___
36

Applied Mathematics — Classical Track

Students in this track must complete PH 105 and PH 106 in addition to the math requirements below. Students considering graduate work in analytical applied mathematics are advised to take MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 410, and MATH 413.

Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 300 or MATH 411 3
MATH 343, MATH 441, MATH 442, and MATH 485 12
Approved mathematics electives1 3
___
36

Applied Mathematics — Optimization Track

Students in this track who are considering graduate work in optimization are advised to complete MATH 343, MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 421, MATH 428, and MATH 451.

Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 238, MATH 301, or MATH 382 3
MATH 300 or MATH 411 3
MATH 321, MATH 355, and MATH 410 9
MATH 421 or MATH 428 3
Approved mathematics electives1 3
___
36

Mathematical Statistics Track

Students in this track who are considering graduate work in mathematical statistics are advised to complete MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 470, and MATH 481.

Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 382, or MATH 411 3
MATH 355, MATH 451, and MATH 452 9
Approved mathematics1 and/or statistics2 electives 6
___
36

Mathematics Education Track

This track should only be followed by students planning to enter the teaching profession. Students are advised to also incorporate MATH 380 into the program of study.

Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 257 3
MATH 301, MATH 355, and MATH 470 9
MATH 402 and MATH 405 6
Approved mathematics electives1 6
___
36
1Approved mathematics electives for mathematics majors: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 307, MATH 321, MATH 343, MATH 355, MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 410, MATH 411, MATH 413, MATH 421, MATH 428, MATH 432, MATH 441, MATH 442, MATH 451, MATH 452, MATH 460, MATH 465, MATH 466, MATH 470, MATH 471, MATH 481, MATH 485, MATH 495
2Approved statistics electives for the mathematical statistics track: ST 450, ST 451, ST 465, ST 475

Requirements for a minor in mathematics. The math minor consists of 20 hours including MATH 125, MATH 126, and 12 hours in mathematics courses numbered above 199, of which 6 hours must be numbered above 299. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

Requirements for a minor in mathematical statistics. The minor in mathematical statistics consists of 21 hours including MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 227, MATH 355, MATH 451, and one additional course selected from MATH 237, MATH 257, MATH 321, and MATH 452. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

A Suggested Sequence of Courses for the
Mathematics Major
 
The following examples of course selections for mathematics majors are offered only as guides. Students who cannot begin mathematics study in MATH 125 must modify the program.
 
Pure Mathematics Track4
 
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 125 4 MATH 126 4
EN 101 3 EN 102 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4 CS 124 3
Humanities1 3 Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3 Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___ ___
17 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 227 4 MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3 MATH 371 3
EN 225 3 EN 226 or EN 227 3
Natural science 4 Natural science 4
History1 3 Minor 3
___ ___
17 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 380 3 Approved mathematics electives4 3-6
MATH 470 3 Minor 3
Minor 3 History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Computer science3 3 Electives 6
Electives 3-6 ___
___ 15-18
15-18
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
Approved mathematics electives4 3-6 Approved mathematics electives4 3-6
Electives 6 Minor 6
Minor 6 Electives 3-6
___ ___
15-18 15-18
 
Total: At least 120

1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
4The pure mathematics track requires at least 9 hours of 400-level mathematics courses and at least one of the following courses: MATH 465, MATH 471, MATH 481.

Applied Mathematics — Numerical Track
 
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 125 4 MATH 126 4
EN 101 3 EN 102 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4 CS 124 3
Humanities1 3 Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3 Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___ ___
17 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 227 4 MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3 Approved mathematics elective 3
EN 225 3 EN 226 or EN 227 3
Natural science 4 Natural science 4
History1 3 Minor 3
___ ___
17 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 343 3 MATH 410 3
MATH 411 3 Minor 3
Computer science3 3 History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Minor 3 Electives 3-6
Elective 3 ___
___ 15
15
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 441 3 Approved mathematics elective 3
Minor 6 Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9 Electives 9
___ ___
15-18 15-18
 
Total: At least 120

1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA,) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.

Applied Mathematics — Classical Track
 
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 125 4 MATH 126 4
EN 101 3 EN 102 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4 CS 124 3
Humanities1 3 Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3 Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___ ___
17 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 227 4 MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3 Approved mathematics elective 3
EN 225 3 EN 226 or EN 227 3
PH 105 4 PH 106 4
History1 3 Minor 3
___ ___
17 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 411 3 MATH 485 3
MATH 343 3 Minor 3
Minor 3 History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Computer science3 3 Electives 6
Electives 3-6 ___
___ 15
15-18
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 441 3 MATH 442 3
Minor 6 Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9 Electives 6-9
___ ___
15-18 15-18
 
Total: At least 120

1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.

Applied Mathematics — Optimization Track
 
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 125 4 MATH 126 4
EN 101 3 EN 102 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4 CS 124 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3 Social and behavioral sciences1 3
Humanities1 3 Fine arts1 3
___ ___
17 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 227 4 MATH 238, MATH 301, or MATH 382 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3 Approved mathematics elective4 3
EN 225 3 EN 226 or EN 227 3
Natural science 4 Natural science 4
History1 3 Minor 3
___ ___
17 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 411 3 MATH 321 3
MATH 355 3 MATH 410 3
Minor 3 Minor 3
Computer science3 3 History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
___ ___
15 15
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
Approved mathematics elective4 3 Approved mathematics elective4 3
Minor 3-6 Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9 Electives 6-9
___ ___
15 15
 
Total: At least 120

1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
4The optimization track requires either MATH 421 or MATH 428.

Mathematical Statistics Track
 
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 125 4 MATH 126 4
EN 101 3 EN 102 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4 CS 124 3
Humanities1 3 Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3 Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___ ___
17 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 227 4 MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3 Approved mathematics elective4 3
EN 225 3 EN 226 or EN 227 3
Natural science 4 Natural science 4
History1 3 Minor 3
___ ___
17 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
Approved mathematics elective4 3 Approved mathematics electives4 6
MATH 355 3 Minor 3
Minor 3 History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Computer science3 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 ___
___ 15
15
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 451 3 MATH 452 3
Minor 3-6 Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9 Electives 6-9
___ ___
15-18 15-18
 
Total: At least 120

1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
4The mathematical statistics track requires at least one of the following courses: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 382, MATH 411.

Mathematics Education Track
 
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 125 4 MATH 126 4
EN 101 3 EN 102 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4 CS 124 3
Humanities1 3 Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3 Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___ ___
17 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 227 4 MATH 301 3
MATH 257 3 MATH 355 3
EN 225 3 EN 226 or EN 227 3
Natural science 4 Natural science 4
History1 3 Minor 3
___ ___
17 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 402 3 Approved mathematics electives 3-6
MATH 470 3 Minor 3-6
Computer science3 3 History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Minor 3 Electives 3-6
Electives 3-6 ___
___ 15-18
15-18
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester Second Semester
Course Hours Course Hours
MATH 405 3 Approved mathematics electives 3-6
Minor 6-9 Minor 6
Electives 6 Electives 6-9
___ ___
15-18 15-18
 
Total: At least 120

1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.

Graduate programs. The Department of Mathematics offers programs leading to the master of arts and the doctor of philosophy degrees. The requirements for these degrees are stated in the University of Alabama graduate catalog.

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