The Department of Mathematics & Statistics offers undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Studies with concentration in:
Mathematical Studies with Secondary Education Teacher Licensure is also available.
All programs offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics require completion of the mathematics core, which consists of the following courses:
These courses total 39 hours, of which 13 hours are applicable to general education requirements. (Mathematics 150 meets the quantitative reasoning requirement, Physics 151 satisfies four hours of the breadth area requirements, Physics 151L satisfies the laboratory requirement, and Statistics 380 satisfies the information and communication in society breadth area and the second lab experience requirement.)
All seniors are required to take MATH 498 and 499 (senior seminar and senior project), which carry two credits each. MATH 499 is graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Passing this course is required for graduation. The student is required to consult with a member of the mathematics/statistics faculty to prepare a proposal for a culminating project. The undergraduate program committee must approve all proposals. The completed project is evaluated by a project evaluation committee and includes both the documentation and an oral presentation by the student. Members of the faculty are invited to attend the oral presentation.
According to the Society of Actuaries, the "actuary's work combines the skills of a business executive, mathematician, financial, and investment manager." It is an ideal career for those interested in studying risk, whether it is related to economics, finance, or even social issues. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 24 percent growth rate in actuarial positions through 2030, a rate substantially higher than average.
In addition to the core requirements, a B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics with a specialization in Actuarial Science requires
Applied mathematics focuses on using mathematical theories to solve real-world problems, such as those related to structural stability, chemical interactions, or wave propagation. It encompasses the use of probability theory, numerical and data analysis, modeling, algorithm development, and simulations to explore the connections between mathematics and science and our environment. The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics has identified several emerging career paths for applied mathematicians, including bioinformatics, materials science, computer animation and digital imaging, finance, and climatology.
In addition to the core requirements, a B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics with a specialization in applied mathematics requires
This area deals with the science of structure, order, measurements, and relationships of objects or groups of objects. Those who like to problem solve are ideally suited to study pure mathematics. Since mathematics plays a vital role in in the effort to understand the world and the environment for a vast array of fields, mathematics majors have many career opportunities open to them, including careers in education, finance, technology, and engineering.
In addition to the core requirements, a B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics with a specialization in pure mathematics requires
Students who desire to teach youth and who are able to generate excitement and understand of mathematics as well as impart its relevance to real-life applications are ideal candidates to major in mathematics for secondary education teacher certification. They are the largest group of mathematics majors at SIUE. The Department has developed strong relationships with local high schools and consults regularly about ways to enhance teacher training opportunities. Because math is a part of all schools' core curriculum, the outlook for students majoring in mathematical studies with secondary education licensure is strong.
In addition to the core requirements, a B.A. or B.S. in Mathematical Studies with Secondary Education teacher licensure requires
Statistics is an ideal profession for those interested in analysis and interpretation of data as a fundamental process in decision making. It uses the scientific application of mathematics to collect and analyze information in such a way that a conclusion can be developed. The relevance of statistics can not be understated — it touches virtually every career field. The respected Jobs Rated Almanac ranks statistician among the top 3 jobs in America. One-third of statisticians work for federal, state, or local governments, although many independent businesses employ statisticians to analyze current market trends.
In addition to the core requirements, a B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics with a specialization in Statistics requires
Official, current degree requirements are found in the SIUE Undergraduate Catalog. You are also welcome to contact the department at math@siue.edu.
