[College of Arts and Sciences]
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS (MATH)
Professor Zhijian Wu, Chairperson
Office: 345 Gordon Palmer Hall
Mathematics placement. Each student entering the University takes a mathematics placement examination. A student placed in MATH 005 must complete MATH 005 as a prerequisite for MATH 100. A student placed in MATH 100 must complete MATH 100 as a prerequisite for MATH 110, MATH 112, MATH 115, or any other MA-designated course. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all prerequisite mathematics courses.
Requirements for a major in mathematics. There are five tracks leading to the B.S. degree with a major in mathematics, each requiring 36 hours of mathematics courses. A minimum of 12 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus. In addition, each requires 7 hours of computer science consisting of CS 114: 116, CS 124, and 6 hours of mathematics related electives.
The requirements for each track are specified below. All course prerequisites must be satisfied before a student enrolls in any math course.
Pure Mathematics Track
The coursework below is required; in addition, students must earn at least 9 hours in 400-level mathematics courses. Students considering graduate study in mathematics are advised to incorporate into their programs MATH 465, MATH 471, and MATH 481, as well as MATH 485 or MATH 583.
Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 2571 3
MATH 371, MATH 380, and MATH 470 9
MATH 465, MATH 471, or MATH 481 3
Approved MATH electives2 6
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36
1 MATH 257 is the preferred preparation for MATH 371, MATH 380, and MATH 470 rather than MATH 237. In order to accommodate students who decide to study advanced mathematics after taking MATH 237, the mathematics department may accept MATH 237 in place of MATH 257 as a prerequisite. However, when it is in the best interest of the student to do so, MATH 257 will be required. Students who have not yet taken linear algebra and who plan to take any of MATH 371, MATH 380, or MATH 470 should always take MATH 257 rather than MATH 237.
2Approved mathematics electives for mathematics majors: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 307, MATH 321, MATH 343, MATH 355, MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 410, MATH 411, MATH 413, MATH 421, MATH 428, MATH 432, MATH 441, MATH 442, MATH 451, MATH 452, MATH 460, MATH 465, MATH 466, MATH 470, MATH 471, MATH 481, MATH 485, MATH 495
Applied Mathematics—Numerical Track
Students in this track who are considering graduate work in computational mathematics are advised to complete at least three of the following: MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 413, MATH 432.
Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 343, MATH 410, MATH 411, and MATH 441 12
Approved MATH electives1 6
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36
Applied Mathematics—Classical Track
Students in this track must complete PH 105 and PH 106 in addition to the math requirements below. Students considering graduate work in analytical applied mathematics are advised to take MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 410, and MATH 413.
Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 300 or MATH 411 3
MATH 343, MATH 441, MATH 442, and MATH 485 12
Approved MATH electives1 3
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36
Applied Mathematics—Optimization Track
Students in this track who are considering graduate work in optimization are advised to complete MATH 343, MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 421, MATH 428, and MATH 451.
Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 238, MATH 301, or MATH 382 3
MATH 300 or MATH 411 3
MATH 321, MATH 355, and MATH 410 9
MATH 421 or MATH 428 3
Approved MATH electives1 3
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36
Mathematical Statistics Track
Students in this track who are considering graduate work in mathematical statistics are advised to complete MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 470, and MATH 481.
Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 238 3
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 382, or MATH 411 3
MATH 355, MATH 451, and MATH 452 9
Approved MATH1 and/or ST2 electives 6
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36
Mathematics Education Track
This track should only be followed by students planning to enter the teaching profession. Students are advised to also incorporate MATH 380 into the program of study.
Required courses Hours
MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 12
MATH 257 3
MATH 301, MATH 355, and MATH 470 9
MATH 402 and MATH 405 6
Approved MATH electives1 6
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36
1Approved mathematics electives for mathematics majors: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 307, MATH 321, MATH 343, MATH 355, MATH 371, MATH 380, MATH 382, MATH 410, MATH 411, MATH 413, MATH 421, MATH 428, MATH 432, MATH 441, MATH 442, MATH 451, MATH 452, MATH 460, MATH 465, MATH 466, MATH 470, MATH 471, MATH 481, MATH 485, MATH 495
2Approved statistics electives for the mathematical statistics track: ST 450, ST 451, ST 465, ST 475
Requirements for a minor in mathematics. The math minor consists of 20 hours including MATH 125, MATH 126, and 12 hours in mathematics courses numbered above 199, of which 6 hours must be numbered above 299. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.
Requirements for a minor in mathematical statistics. The minor in mathematical statistics consists of 21 hours including MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 227, MATH 355, MATH 451, and one additional course selected from MATH 237, MATH 257, MATH 321, and MATH 452. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.
Suggested Sequence of Courses for the Mathematics Major
The following examples of course selections for mathematics majors are offered only as guides. Students who cannot begin mathematics study in MATH 125 must modify the program.
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 125 4
EN 101 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4
Humanities1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 3
Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 227 4
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
EN 205 or EN 209 3
Natural science 4
History1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 238 3
MATH 371 3
EN 206 or EN 210 3
Natural science 4
Minor 3
___
16
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 380 3
MATH 470 3
Minor 3
Computer science3 3
Electives 3-6
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATHelectives4 3-6
Minor 3
History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Electives 6
___
15-18
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATHelectives4 3-6
Electives 6
Minor 6
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATH electives4 3-6
Minor 6
Electives 3-6
___
15-18
Total: At least 120
1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
4The pure mathematics track requires at least 9 hours of 400-level mathematics courses and at least one of the following courses: MATH 465, MATH 471, MATH 481.
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 125 4
EN 101 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4
Humanities1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 3
Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 227 4
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
EN 205 or EN 209 3
Natural science 4
History1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 238 3
Approved MATH elective 3
EN 206 or EN 210 3
Natural science 4
Minor 3
___
16
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 343 3
MATH 411 3
Computer science3 3
Minor 3
Elective 3
___
15
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 410 3
Minor 3
History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Electives 3-6
___
15
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 441 3
Minor 6
Electives 6-9
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATH elective 3
Minor 3-6
Electives 9
___
15-18
Total: At least 120
1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 125 4
EN 101 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4
Humanities1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 3
Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 227 4
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
EN 205 or EN 209 3
PH 105 4
History1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 238 3
Approved MATH elective 3
EN 206 or EN 210 3
PH 106 4
Minor 3
___
16
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 411 3
MATH 343 3
Minor 3
Computer science3 3
Electives 3-6
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 485 3
Minor 3
History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Electives 6
___
15
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 441 3
Minor 6
Electives 6-9
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 442 3
Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9
___
15-18
Total: At least 120
1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 125 4
EN 101 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
Humanities1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
Fine arts1 3
___
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 227 4
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
EN 205 or EN 209 3
Natural science 4
History1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 238, MATH 301, or MATH 382 3
Approved MATH elective4 3
EN 206 or EN 210 3
Natural science 4
Minor 3
___
16
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 411 3
MATH 355 3
Minor 3
Computer science3 3
Elective 3
___
15
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 321 3
MATH 410 3
Minor 3
History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Elective 3
___
15
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATH elective4 3
Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9
___
15
Second Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATH elective4 3
Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9
___
15
Total: At least 120
1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
4The optimization track requires either MATH 421 or MATH 428.
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 125 4
EN 101 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4
Humanities1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 3
Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 227 4
MATH 237 or MATH 257 3
EN 205 or EN 209 3
Natural science 4
History1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 238 3
Approved MATH elective4 3
EN 206 or EN 210 3
Natural science 4
Minor 3
___
16
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATH elective4 3
MATH 355 3
Minor 3
Computer science3 3
Elective 3
___
15
Second Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATH electives4 6
Minor 3
History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Elective 3
___
15
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 451 3
Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 452 3
Minor 3-6
Electives 6-9
___
15-18
Total: At least 120
1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
4The mathematical statistics track requires at least one of the following courses: MATH 300, MATH 301, MATH 382, MATH 411.
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 125 4
EN 101 3
CS 114 and CS 116 (lab) 4
Humanities1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 126 4
EN 102 3
CS 124 3
Fine arts1 3
Social and behavioral sciences1 3
___
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 227 4
MATH 257 3
EN 205 or EN 209 3
Natural science 4
History1 3
___
17
Second Semester
Course Hours
MATH 301 3
MATH 355 3
EN 206 or EN 210 3
Natural science 4
Minor 3
___
16
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 402 3
MATH 470 3
Computer science3 3
Minor 3
Electives 3-6
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
Approved mathematics electives 3-6
Minor 3-6
History or social and behavioral sciences1 3
Electives 3-6
___
15-18
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester
Course Hours
MATH 405 3
Minor 6-9
Electives 6
___
15-18
Second Semester
Course Hours
Approved MATH electives 3-6
Minor 6
Electives 6-9
___
15-18
Total: At least 120
1A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
2Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
3Three hours in a course designated C must be included in the junior or senior year.
Minor in mathematics education. A minor is mathematics education is available to mathematics majors (mathematics education track). The mathematics education major does not lead to teaching certification. Successful completion of the minor provides foundation coursework for admission to the alternative certification program in the College of Education that leads to master's level teaching certification in secondary education.
Enrollment in the mathematics education minor is limited and requires students to take courses in a specified sequence (see below). In addition, students must complete requirements for the Teacher Education Program (TEP) during the second semester of the junior year. These requirements include an overall GPA of 2.75, a 2.5 GPA in the teaching field, and a passing score on the Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program (APTTP). Information about the APTTP can be found on the Alabama Department of Education website at http://www.alsde.edu. Students may register for the APTTP online at http://www.act.org/alabamapttp.
Requirements for the minor in mathematics education
Junior Year
Fall Semester
SPE 300 Survey of Special Education and Accommodation Strategies 3
BEF 360/ BEP 360 Social and Psychological Foundations of Education 3
Spring Semester
CSE 390 Instruction and Accommodation in Secondary Schools 3
ST 260 Statistical Data Analysis 3
Senior Year
Fall Semester
CRD 412 Improving Reading in Secondary Schools 3
Spring Semester
CSE 401 Computers in Secondary Mathematics 3
CSE 406 Curriculum in Secondary Mathematics 3
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Total hours: 21
Graduate programs. The Department of Mathematics offers programs leading to the master of arts and the doctor of philosophy degrees. The requirements for these degrees are stated in the University of Alabama graduate catalog.
