Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences
Associate Dean: Ellen Roskes, Ph.D.
Description
The applied mathematics major provides students with an array of courses that build mathematical skills. Students graduate with a solid background in mathematics and statistics and the ability to use data to solve problems in various disciplines. Critical and analytic thinking skills make applied mathematics majors highly employable in government, the private sector, and education.
In addition to their core mathematics coursework, students choose a track which allows them to pursue their mathematical interests in a particular field. These tracks are actuarial mathematics, which prepares students to work towards careers as actuaries in insurance, financial, and government careers; business mathematics, which prepares students to work in financial, managerial, and business analysis careers; scientific mathematics, which prepares students to work in pharmaceutical, medical, and scientific careers; and interdisciplinary mathematics, which prepares students to work in educational and more general mathematical careers.
Each student in the major will also complete a senior capstone course, choosing either a research option or an internship option. Both options will enable students to apply their mathematical skills in the professional mathematics culture or to a discipline related to their interests.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, graduates will be able to
- Solve problems individually and collaboratively using mathematical techniques.
- Support and justify results using mathematical reasoning, logic, and proof.
- Construct, analyze, and interpret mathematical and statistical models.
- Use technology to investigate and solve mathematical problems.
- Communicate mathematics clearly in both written and oral formats.
- Exhibit behaviors consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. The lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all courses listed in the catalog under "Program Requirements" for the major, including both courses in the major and SEE courses required by the major. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course* unless he/she earns a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
A student must maintain a science and math GPA of 2.0 or better in each semester in order to remain in good standing within the major. Grades are reviewed each semester and students are notified in writing of their academic status in the major, as appropriate:
- Probation: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 in one semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that he or she is on probation in the Fine School of the Sciences. Students who are on probation will be required to meet regularly with their Success Coach/Academic Advisor for at least one full semester after being put on probation.
- Dismissal: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 for a second semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that he or she is dismissed from the applied mathematics, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, or environmental science major.
* Science and mathematics courses are defined as courses with the designation: BIO, BIOCH, BME, CHEM, ENV, FSCI, MATH, PHYS, or SCI.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
Note: Students choosing the 6-credit Capstone Internship (MATH 471) can take one less MATH elective course.
Complete the requirements for the Actuarial Track, Business Track, Scientific Track, or Interdisciplinary Track.
Actuarial Track:
All major requirements and the following electives:
| ACC 140 | Financial Accounting | 3 credits |
| ACC 141 | Managerial Accounting | 3 credits |
| EC 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits |
| EC 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 credits |
| FIN 300 | Principles of Finance | 3 credits |
| MATH 342 | Time Series Analysis | 3 credits |
| MATH 420 | Actuarial Mathematics | 3 credits |
Business Track:
All major requirements and the following electives:
| ACC 140 | Financial Accounting | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| MGT 204 | Principles of Management | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| MKT 206 | Principles of Marketing | 3 credits |
| 2 Business electives | in ACC, EC, FMER, INBUS, IS, MGT, and/or MKT | |
| 1 MATH elective | (at 200 level or above) | |
| EC 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits |
| MATH 442 | Numerical Analysis | 3 credits |
Scientific Track:
All major requirements and the following electives:
Choose 1 sequence: CHEMISTRY or BIOLOGY
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| | or | |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIO 114 | General Biology II: Structure and Function of Organisms | 3 credits |
| BIO 114L | General Biology II Laboratory: Structure and Function of Organisms | 1 credit |
| | | |
| 2 Science electives | in BIO, BIOCH, CHEM, ENV, and/or PHYS | |
| MATH 321 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 credits |
| MATH 442 | Numerical Analysis | 3 credits |
Interdisciplinary Track:
All major requirements and the following electives:
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| MATH 301 | Mathematical Structures | 3 credits |
| MATH 321 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 credits |
| MATH 442 | Numerical Analysis | 3 credits |
| 1 MATH elective | (at 200 level or above) | |
Suggested Course Sequence
Applied Mathematics Actuarial SCS 2020-21
Applied Mathematics Business SCS 2020-21
Applied Mathematics Interdisciplinary SCS 2020-21
Applied Mathematics Scientific SCS 2020-21
Minor in Mathematics
A minor in Mathematics is available. The minor in Mathematics requires successful completion of a minimum of six courses and 18 credits with a MATH prefix. Courses ineligible for the Mathematics minor include all courses at the 000 and 100 level and MATH 205 and 206: Mathematics for Educators I and II.
Please see the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics for further information regarding this minor. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.
Other Options
Mathematics and Physics Department Honors Requirements: Eligible students majoring in applied mathematics may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Mathematics and Physics. The intention to pursue Mathematics and Physics Department Honors must be declared before the start of their last semester before graduation. To declare the intent to pursue department honors, a student must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and a plan to finish the honors requirements outlined below.
Students graduating with Mathematics and Physics Department honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with department honors, the following requirements must be met:
Completion of a combination of two experiences in one or both of the following categories and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at graduation:
- Research experience approved by the department.
- 300-400 level MATH elective that is not being used to fulfill a degree or track requirements in the major.
BS/MAT Option: The BS/MAT option is available for students majoring in applied mathematics who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in teaching. For more information on this program please see the Stevenson University Online Catalog and the Additional Enrollment Options in the Admissions section of this catalog.
Course Descriptions
See Applied Mathematics Course Descriptions