The Department of Mathematics (MATH)
The Department of Mathematics offers a major in mathematics that culminates in a bachelor of science (BS) degree. The department also offers minors in mathematics and mathematical statistics, as well as mathematics education in the College of Education.
Mathematics Major (BS)
Department of Mathematics, 345 Gordon Palmer Hall
www.as.ua.edu/math
mathematics@as.ua.edu
Degree requirements. Students earning the bachelor of science (BS) degree with a major in mathematics must complete all University, college (see p. 52-53), and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following major requirements, all requirements for an approved minor, and sufficient other credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
Admission into the major. Students are expected to declare a major formally no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). With the assistance of an advisor in the major department, students should complete the “Declaration of Major” form.
Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. The major GPA is calculated based on all courses applicable to the major that the student has attempted at UA.
Major courses. The major in mathematics requires the successful completion of 36–37 semester hours, including the core mathematics courses, a specific track, and ancillary courses.
Core Mathematics Courses |
|
| The following courses must be completed by all mathematics majors: | |
| Courses | Hours |
| MATH 125 or MATH 145 | 4 |
| MATH 126 or MATH 146 | 4 |
| MATH 227 or MATH 247 | 4 |
| MATH 237 | 3 |
| MATH 238 | 3 |
| MATH 301 | 3 |
| Total | 21 |
Pure Mathematics Track |
|
| Courses | Hours |
| Core mathematics courses | 21 |
| MATH 470 | 3 |
| MATH 485 | 3 |
| MATH 486 | 3 |
| MATH 371, MATH 465, MATH 471, MATH 487, or MATH 499 | 6 |
| Total | 36 |
Applied Mathematics—Scientific Computation Track |
|
| Courses | Hours |
| Core mathematics courses | 21 |
| MATH 300 | 3 |
| MATH 310 | 3 |
| MATH 410 | 3 |
| MATH 343 or MATH 441 | 3 |
| MATH 420, MATH 421, MATH 486, or MATH 499 | 3 |
| Total | 36 |
Applied Mathematics—Classical Track |
|
| Courses | Hours |
| Core mathematics courses | 21 |
| MATH 300 | 3 |
| MATH 343 | 3 |
| MATH 441 | 3 |
| MATH 485 | 3 |
| MATH 310, MATH 410, MATH 442, MATH 486, OR MATH 499 | 3 |
| Total | 36 |
Applied Mathematics—Optimization Track |
|
| Courses | Hours |
| Core mathematics courses | 21 |
| MATH 300 | 3 |
| MATH 355 | 3 |
| MATH 410 | 3 |
| MATH 419, MATH 420, OR MATH 421 | 6 |
| Total | 36 |
Mathematical Statistics Track |
|
| Courses | Hours |
| Core mathematics courses | 21 |
| MATH 300 | 3 |
| MATH 355 | 3 |
| MATH 451 | 3 |
| MATH 452 | |
| MATH 422, MATH 457, MATH 486, MATH 499, ST 450, ST 451, ST 465, OR ST 475 |
3 |
| Total | 36 |
Mathematics Education Track |
|
| This track should only be followed by students planning to enter the teaching profession. | |
| Courses | Hours |
| Core mathematics courses | 21 |
| MATH 355 | 3 |
| MATH 403 | 3 |
| MATH 404 | 1 |
| MATH 405 | 3 |
| MATH 470 | 3 |
| MATH 486 | 3 |
| Total | 37 |
Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed into the major GPA. The major in mathematics for all tracks requires the successful completion of the following courses outside the major:
| Courses | Hours |
| CS 150 | 2 |
| CS 250 or ST 260 | 2–3 |
Upper-level residency. A minimum of 12 hours of 300- or 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.
Required minor. The mathematics major requires the completion of a minor.
Additional major requirements. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, college, major, and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an advisor in the major department for academic planning and to be cleared for registration each semester. College advisors are also available for additional assistance with minor, college, and University requirements.
Special opportunities. Mathematics majors can complete a second major in computer science, electrical engineering, economics, or finance, among others. On campus employment as a math tutor in the Mathematics Technology Learning Center is available to qualified undergraduate mathematics majors. Research experiences are possible for advanced undergraduate students. The University of Alabama also has a chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, a national mathematics honor society. The Department of Mathematics participates in the University Scholars Program that allows highly motivated students to pursue closely integrated undergraduate and graduate programs that may lead to the simultaneous completion of requirements for both master’s and bachelor’s degrees. Students usually apply for admission prior to the junior or senior year. For more information about the University Scholars Program, visit www.graduate.ua.edu or consult the University of Alabama Graduate Catalog.