Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Mathematics
O’Shaughnessy Science Hall (OSS) 201, (651) 962-5520
Anderson, Axtell (Actuarial Science Director), Dokken, Glover, Hoft, Knudson, Kroschel, Loe(associate chair), Lopukhova, Peterson (MaRC Director) Rawdon, Rezac, Shakiban, Shemyakin (chair), Shvartsman, Stolarksa, Tang, Yang

Mathematics Department Website

The Department of Mathematics offers major tracks that can satisfy a variety of student interests and careers. Majors in mathematics can prepare themselves for graduate study in mathematics or related areas, for the teaching of mathematics at the secondary school level, for professional school in law or health science, or for the application of mathematics and statistics in science, business, industry and government.

Students majoring in mathematics are encouraged to use elective courses to broaden their background in mathematics or in a related area of special interest. Coursework in biology, chemistry, economics, engineering, finance, geology, physics, psychology and computer and information sciences combines well with a major in mathematics.

Students graduating with a major in mathematics will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental notions of mathematics, including rigorous proof. They will be able to model and solve real-world problems arising in business and industry. They will be able to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, mathematical concepts to their peers and to an audience of non-majors. They will be able to learn and apply mathematics on their own through independent study, research and participation in non-class-related lectures.

In all of the department’s major tracks, a student must successfully complete at least 16 credits in mathematics courses numbered 300 and above at the University of St. Thomas.

A minor in mathematics is available to support majors in many other departments. A strong mathematical background is of great benefit to students majoring in engineering, actuarial science and the physical sciences.

In addition to the mathematics tracks described below, the department offers a major in actuarial science (see Actuarial Science) and has programs to prepare students for teacher licensure (see Education). An interdisciplinary major in statistics is offered jointly with the Department of Computer and Information Sciences (see Statistics, Computer and Information Science).

Students should see the chair of the Department of Mathematics for advice in selecting courses for a particular purpose. The department offers a number of courses for non-majors to fulfill the mathematics portion of the core curriculum.

Within the Department of Mathematics, the Center for Applied Mathematics (CAM) provides opportunities for students to work on significant mathematical problems of current interest to business, industry, and government. The CAM summer student research program funds a number of student projects each year.

Elementary Education with a Co-major in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for Elementary Education
Major in Mathematics with a Co-major in Secondary Education (5-12)

See Education

Entry-level mathematics courses require students to have an appropriate Math Placement level. The student’s ACT Math score or performance on the Math Placement Exam determines this placement level. Students that do not have the placement level required for their desired course can now take MATH 005 and/or MATH 006. These are 0-credit courses, offered every Fall, J-term and Spring semester. MATH 005 has no placement requirement, and successful completion would allow a student to take MATH 006, MATH 100 or MATH 101. MATH 006 requires a Math Placement Level of 101 or of MATH 005, and successful completion allows a student to take MATH 103 or MATH 108. Both MATH 005 and MATH 006 have affordable registration fees instead of regularly priced tuition, as they are 0-credit classes.

In some cases, students have earned AP credit for Math 113 Calculus I but elect not to transfer this credit to St. Thomas. In such a case, students should understand that if AP credit is declined, an ACT (or equivalent SAT) score of 28 or above or a St. Thomas math placement score of 76 or above is required in order to take Math 113 at St. Thomas.

44 credits

• MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits) or MATH 108 and MATH 109 or MATH 111 and MATH 112
• MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)
• MATH 200 Multi-Variable Calculus (4 credits)
• MATH 201 Bridge to Mathematical Proof (4 credits)
• MATH 230 Introduction to Applied Mathematics (4 credits)
• MATH 240 Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• MATH 301 Abstract Algebra I or MATH 317 Real Analysis (4 credits)
• Three upper-level electives (MATH courses numbered 300 or above: MATH 303 is recommended). One 300-level elective or above outside Math (e.g., ACSC, ECON, PHYS) is allowed with special permission of Math major advisor (12 credits)

Allied requirement

• CISC 131 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving (4 credits)or CISC 130 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving in the Sciences (4 credits)

Note: CISC 131 is recommended for this major.

52 credits

• MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits)
  or MATH 108 and MATH 109
  or MATH 111 and MATH 112
• MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)
• MATH 200 Multi-Variable Calculus (4 credits)
• MATH 201 Bridge to Mathematical Proof (4 credits)
• MATH 230 Introduction to Applied Mathematics (4 credits)
• MATH 240 Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• MATH 301 Abstract Algebra I (4 credits)
• MATH 317 Real Analysis (4 credits)
• Four upper-level electives (MATH courses numbered 300 or above: MATH 303 is recommended). Up to two 300-level or above electives outside Math (e.g., ACSC, ECON, PHYS) are allowed with special permission of Math major advisor (12 credits)

Allied requirement

• CISC 131 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving (4 credits)
  or CISC 130 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving in the Sciences (4 credits)

Note: CISC 131 is recommended for this major

• MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits)
  (or MATH 108+109 or MATH 111+112)
• MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)

Plus at least four credits from the following:

• MATH 201 Bridge to Mathematical Proof (4 credits)
• MATH 230 Introduction to Applied Mathematics (4 credits)

Plus:

• A minimum of twelve additional credits in courses numbered above 200 (or approved by the department chair)

A student minoring in mathematics must successfully complete a minimum of 8 credits in mathematics numbered 200 and above at St. Thomas.