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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.

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. Each track requires an additional 7 hours consisting of CS 114:116, and either CS 124 or ST 260.

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

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 coursesHours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 22712
MATH 2383
MATH 237 or MATH 2571 3
MATH 371, MATH 470, and MATH 4869
MATH 465, MATH 471, or MATH 4873
Approved MATH electives2 6
___
36

1MATH 257 is the preferred preparation for MATH 371, MATH 470, and MATH 486 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 470, or MATH 486 should always take MATH 257 rather than MATH 237.
2Approved mathematics electives for mathematics majors: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 307, MATH 343, MATH 355, MATH 371, 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 485, MATH 486, MATH 487, MATH 495

Applied Mathematics—Numerical Track

Students considering graduate work in computational mathematics are advised to complete at least three of the following: MATH 371, MATH 382, MATH 413, MATH 432, MATH 486.

Required coursesHours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 22712
MATH 2383
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
MATH 343, MATH 410, MATH 411, and MATH 44112
Approved MATH electives16
___
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 382, MATH 410, MATH 413, and MATH 486.

Required coursesHours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 22712
MATH 2383
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
MATH 300 or MATH 4113
MATH 343, MATH 441, MATH 442, and MATH 48512
Approved MATH elective1 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 421, MATH 428, MATH 451, and MATH 486.

Required coursesHours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 22712
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
MATH 238, MATH 301, or MATH 3823
MATH 300 or MATH 4113
MATH 355 and MATH 4106
Two courses selected from MATH 419, MATH 420,
    MATH 421, and MATH 428		6
Approved MATH electives13
___
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 coursesHours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 22712
MATH 2383
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 382, or MATH 4113
MATH 355, MATH 451, and MATH 4529
Approved MATH1 and/or ST2 electives6
___
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 coursesHours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 22712
MATH 2573
MATH 301, MATH 355, and MATH 4709
MATH 402 and MATH 4056
Approved MATH electives1 6
___
36

1Approved mathematics electives for mathematics majors: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 307, MATH 343, MATH 355, MATH 371, 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 485, MATH 486, MATH 487, 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, and MATH 452. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

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
CourseHours
MATH 1254
EN 1013
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab)4
Humanities13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 or ST 2603
Fine arts13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2274
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
EN 205 or EN 20913
Natural science4
History13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2383
MATH 3713
EN 206 or EN 21013
Natural science4
Minor3
___
16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4863
MATH 4703
Minor3
Computer science33
Electives3–6
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
Approved MATHelectives43–6
Minor3
History or social and behavioral sciences13
Electives6
___
15–18
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATHelectives43–6
Electives6
Minor6
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
Approved MATH electives43–6
Minor6
Electives3–6
___
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
CourseHours
MATH 1254
EN 1013
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab)4
Humanities13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 or ST 2603
Fine arts13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2274
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
EN 205 or EN 20913
PH 1054
History13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2383
Approved MATH elective3
EN 206 or EN 21013
PH 1064
Minor3
___
16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4113
MATH 3433
Minor3
Computer science33
Electives3–6
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4853
Minor3
History or social and behavioral sciences13
Electives6
___
15
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4413
Minor6
Electives6–9
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4423
Minor3–6
Electives6–9
___
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 optimization track requires either MATH 421 or MATH 428.

Applied Mathematics—Classical Track
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 1254
EN 1013
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab)4
Humanities13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 or ST 2603
Fine arts13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2274
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
EN 205 or EN 20913
PH 1054
History13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2383
Approved MATH elective3
EN 206 or EN 21013
PH 1064
Minor3
___
16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4113
MATH 3433
Minor3
Computer science33
Electives3–6
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4853
Minor3
History or social and behavioral sciences13
Electives6
___
15
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4413
Minor6
Electives6–9
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4423
Minor3–6
Electives6–9
___
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
CourseHours
MATH 1254
EN 1013
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab)4
Social and behavioral sciences13
Humanities13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 1264
EN 1023
CS 124 or ST 2603
Social and behavioral sciences13
Fine arts13
___
16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2274
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
EN 205 or EN 2093
Natural science4
History13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 238, MATH 301, or MATH 3823
Approved MATH elective43
EN 206 or EN 21013
Natural science4
Minor3
___
16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4113
MATH 3553
Minor3
Computer science33
Elective3
___
15
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 4103
Approved math elective43
Minor3
History or social and behavioral sciences13
Elective3
___
15
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
Approved MATH elective43
Minor3–6
Electives6–9
___
15
Second Semester
CourseHours
Approved MATH elective43
Minor3–6
Electives6–9
___
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 two courses selected from MATH 419, MATH 420, MATH 421, MATH 428.

Mathematical Statistics Track
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 1254
EN 1013
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab)4
Humanities13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 1264
EN 1023
CS 124 or ST 2603
Fine arts13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2274
MATH 237 or MATH 2573
EN 205 or EN 20913
Natural science4
History13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2383
Approved MATH elective43
EN 206 or EN 21013
Natural science4
Minor3
___
16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
Approved MATH elective43
MATH 3553
Minor3
Computer science33
Elective3
___
15
Second Semester
CourseHours
Approved MATH electives46
Minor3
History or social and behavioral sciences13
Elective3
___
15
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4513
Minor3–6
Electives6–9
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4523
Minor3–6
Electives6–9
___
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
CourseHours
MATH 1254
EN 1013
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab)4
Humanities13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 or ST 2603
Fine arts13
Social and behavioral sciences13
___
16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 2274
MATH 2573
EN 205 or EN 20913
Natural science4
History13
___
17
Second Semester
CourseHours
MATH 3013
MATH 3553
EN 206 or EN 21013
Natural science4
Minor3
___
16
 
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
CourseHours
MATH 4023
MATH 4703
Computer science3 3
Minor3
Electives3–6
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
Approved mathematics electives3–6
Minor3–6
History or social and behavioral sciences13
Electives3–6
___
15–18
 
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 4053
Minor6–9
Electives6
___
15–18
Second Semester
CourseHours
Approved MATH electives3–6
Minor6
Electives6–9
___
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.

Minor in mathematics education. A minor is mathematics education is available to mathematics majors (mathematics education track). The mathematics education major does not lead to teaching certification. Successful completion of the minor provides foundation coursework for admission to the alternative certification program in the College of Education that leads to master's level teaching certification in secondary education.

Enrollment in the mathematics education minor is limited and requires students to take courses in a specified sequence (see below). In addition, students must complete requirements for the Teacher Education Program (TEP) during the second semester of the junior year. These requirements include an overall GPA of 2.75, a 2.5 GPA in the teaching field, and a passing score on the Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program (APTTP). Information about the APTTP can be found on the Alabama Department of Education website at http://www.alsde.edu. Students may register for the APTTP online at http://www.act.org/alabamapttp.

Requirements for the minor in mathematics education

Junior Year
Fall Semester
SPE 300 Survey of Special Education and
    Accommodation Strategies3
BEF 360/BEP 360 Social and Psychological Foundations of Education3
 
Spring Semester
CSE 390 Instruction and Accommodation in Secondary Schools3
ST 260 Statistical Data Analysis3
 
Senior Year
Fall Semester
CRD 412 Improving Reading in Secondary Schools3
 
Spring Semester
CSE 401 Computers in Secondary Mathematics3
CSE 406 Curriculum in Secondary Mathematics3
___
Total hours: 21

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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