2008–2009 Berea College Online Catalog

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Mathematics and Computer Science

Department | Mathematics Program | Computer Science Program | Mathematics Courses | Computer Science Courses

B.A. Degree with a Major in Mathematics

The Mathematics major is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to:

  • pursue graduate study in the mathematical sciences;
  • find mathematics-related employment in business or industry upon graduation;
  • teach mathematics at the secondary level; or
  • acquire mathematical tools for use in the physical, social, or life sciences.

A major in Mathematics is achieved by the completion of a minimum of 8-1/4 MAT courses at or above the 210 level, plus a collateral CSC course, as follows, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:

Required Core Courses—MAT 135, 214, 225, 315, and 330.

For each course waived based on test scores, an additional course above MAT 210 must be completed satisfactorily.

Required Capstone Course—MAT 492 (a 1/4-credit course)

Required Distribution Courses—At least one (1) MAT course must be chosen from each of the following four groups; courses may satisfy more than one category:

  1. Theoretical: MAT 321, 432, 434, and 436
  2. Applied: MAT 311, 312, 433, and 438
  3. Analysis: MAT 433, 434, 435, and 437
  4. Nonanalysis: MAT 311, 312, 321, 432, 436, and 438

Required Collateral Course—One (1) course chosen from the following: CSC 125, 126, 226, or 236

Required Senior-level Courses—At least two (2) courses chosen from MAT 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, and 438. Each of these courses also may satisfy a distribution requirement as described above.

Exploring the Major—Students considering this major should begin exploring the discipline through some of the required core courses as soon as possible. If they wait until sophomore year, it will be difficult to be accepted into the Mathematics program. An example of a good start in the major would be to complete or waive MAT 125 and MAT 135 during their first year and then to complete or waive MAT 225, 330, 315 and, if time allows, MAT 314, by the end of sophomore year.

Admission to the Major—Each applicant to the major will receive careful consideration of his or her overall performance in the Department.

Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)—Because upper-level course offerings alternate by term and by year, students who complete the required core courses prior to the start of their junior year will have greater flexibility in the design of their programs.

Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major—Students must have a minimum major GPA of 2.0 calculated on MAT courses at the MAT 135 level and higher.

Other Considerations or Recommendations—In addition to the major requirements described above, it is strongly recommended that majors elect courses from another discipline in which mathematics currently is applied. These electives and the program of study within the Mathematics and Computer Science Department should be determined in consultation with the Academic Adviser according to the student’s interests and professional and educational intentions.

Curriculum Guide