Programs

The Mathematics Department offers a B.A. in Mathematics,B.S. in Mathematics, . Minor in Mathematics, a Masters of Arts in Mathematics, and Concentrations in Statistics and Applied Math. There are 16 full-time mathematics faculty, 13 of whom hold doctorates. We do not use teaching assistants to teach classes as some colleges do, nor do our professors teach large lecture classes. Class size is limited to 35 students, with most upper division classes having fewer. The faculty conduct research in such areas as advanced algebra, analysis, statistics, applied math and mathematics education.

There are currently 300+ full- and part-time undergraduate majors. The department graduates about 60 B.A.'s a year. Mathematics majors are assigned to a faculty adviser who is there to aid the students in their progress towards the degree, but students are free to choose their own adviser.

The B.A. in Math

The Mathematics Major program is organized around the principle that each of our mathematics majors should have a general background in the two major philosophical areas of mathematics - theoretic and applied.

Our program starts with foundation courses that are necessary for all that follows: Calculus I, II, & III, Symbolic Logic, Computer Programming, and Communications I & II (writing courses). Calculus, in particular, is considered the gateway course for all mathematics, science, and engineering programs.

The advanced portion of our program consists of a selection of five required courses, and three math electives that introduce both theoretical and applied mathematics. Of the five required courses, two are theoretical (Real Analysis I, and Modern Algebra I), two are applied (Probability and Statistics I, and Linear Algebra) and one differential equations course. The "Math Elective" are chosen, with guidance from an adviser, from a bank of twelve coureses, some theoretic, some applied. Each student also is required to take a year of Physics (more applied work) and be competent in a foreign language (so as to be able to read mathematics and because knowledge of multiple languages helps in the appreciation of the formal language of mathematics).

B.S. in Mathematics

The program is designed to allow students to study the mathematics that they will need with flexibility, breadth and depth.
The culminating experience for our Mathematics program is our required Mathematics Senior Seminar.

This course allows each student to put together much of what they have learned as a mathematics major, as each student must prepare a mathematics paper that is delivered orally and in writing (demonstrating communication skills).
At least a 3.0 GPA in Calculus I, Caluculus II, and Linear Algebra is required for admission, and at least a 2.5 GPA in all mathematical and science courses (including computer science) is required for graduation.

The major requires students to take courses in logic, physics, communications, foreign langugage, computer science and applied and theoretical mathematics.  The bachelor of science degree in  mathematics is, first of all, designed to give the increasing number of our mathematics majors that do not intend to be teachers the opportunity to prepare more thoroughly for graduate work in mathematics and other disciplines such as engineering, the physical sciences, computer science, and other areas requiring extensive mathematical training.

The requirements for this degree are also flexible enough so that students intending to seek employment in business, industry, or government can pursue courses of study that will allow them to enter their professions familiar with more of the relevant mathematics.

A more detailed program description can be found in the Rowan undergraduate course catalog.

The M.A. in Math

Each student in the program pursues a course of study appropriate for his/her interests and background in mathematics. The graduate course work will fill gaps, broaden, and extend the mathematics background of each student. Thus, there will be sufficient flexibility in the program for students to tailor their curriculum to meet their needs. Graduates of this program may be employed as applied mathematicians in business and industry, or as quantitative analysts in government and social agencies.

Students are provided with a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credits in mathematics. Twelve semester hours will be in a core experience, including two course in analysis, an advanced course in Linear Algebra, and a choice of Topology or Foundations of Mathematics. Students will select two or three courses from a bank and will pursue at least one area of mathematics in some depth. Students also will select two or four courses from a bank of more specialized courses. All students also will be required to take a three-semester-hour mathematics seminar designed to focus on contemporary problems and trends in mathematics.

A more detailed program description can be found in the Rowan graduate course catalog.

Math Groups and Projects

The BETA Project, Math Club, Math Alliance, and Government Grants and Sponsored Projects.

Career Opportunities

If you are interested in a high level position in which mathematical ability plays a key role, you may wish to consider one of the following options available to a mathematics major. An actuarial scientist designs insurance rate tables in either the life or casualty field, while a geophysical mathematician applies mathematics to energy-related problems and is usually employed in exploration for an energy developer. The operations research specialist is concerned with scientifically deciding how best to design and run man-made machine systems. A quality control statistical analyst tests production samples for a manufacturing process and applies probability and statistics to draw conclusions about the overall production quality. Career opportunities abound in the armed forces for people with high mathematical abilities. Mathematics also one of the areas for which there is still a high demand for teachers. For more information, please contact the Rowan CAP Center.

Educational Preparation

A high school education preparing you for college is the first step for a career in mathematics. In addition, three years of high school mathematics is required for admission. A fourth year of mathematics, including some discrete mathematics, and at least one programming course is highly recommended. Also recommended is general knowledge of the use of computers for word processing, spreadsheets, databases and communications. The ideal educational preparation for the M.A. in mathematics would be a B.A. in mathematics. This preparation would include a minimum of 30 semester hours of mathematics at the undergraduate level, including courses in calculus through Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Abstract Algebra.

Facilities

The Mathematics Department is housed in the air-conditioned Robinson Classroom Building, the newest and most modern classroom building on campus. This building contains four general purpose computer labs with more than 60 computers. All of the labs are completely networked. We also have one computer-equipped classroom and a Micro VAX II minicomputer with over a dozen terminals (located in the labs). Mathematics software and statistical analysis software are available in the labs, on our LAN, and over the Internet.

For More Information

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Last Modified: 02/08/05