Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major in Mathematics

There are four tracks for a mathematics major, as described below. The mathematics curriculum is highly sequential with a rigid and necessary prerequisite structure, and not all courses are offered each year. Students planning an academic program that includes a mathematics major, especially one including teacher certification (Tracks III and IV), are urged to consult with a member of the mathematics faculty early in their Albion career so that a proper sequence of courses may be arranged.

Failure to consider carefully the implications of course enrollment decisions may result in delayed graduation.

FOUNDATION COURSES
Mathematics 141: Calculus of a Single Variable I
Mathematics 143: Calculus of a Single Variable II
Computer Science 171: Introduction to Computer Science I
Mathematics 239: Discrete Structures
Mathematics 245: Multivariate Calculus
Mathematics 247: Differential Equations and Linear Algebra

The department may waive one or more of the foundation course requirements for students with advanced high school mathematics preparation.

TRACK I
Track I leads toward graduate work in the mathematical sciences.

  • 10 units in mathematics and computer science, including the six foundation courses, plus four additional courses: Mathematics 331, 335; one from 309, 360; and one other 300-level mathematics course. Students contemplating graduate study in mathematics should also take as many other 300-level mathematics courses as their schedules will allow, as well as course work in French, German or Russian.

TRACK II
Track II leads toward immediate employment or further study in applied mathematics or a related area.

  • 10 units in mathematics and computer science, including the six foundation courses, plus four additional courses: 331, 335, and two from 309, 316, 326, 360, 370, 380.
    • Students in this track should also take advanced course work in an area of application.

TRACK III
The third track leads to secondary teacher certification. See "Requirements for Mathematics Major With Secondary Education Certification" below.

TRACK IV
The fourth track leads to elementary teacher certification. See "Requirements for Mathematics Major with Elementary Education Certification" below.

Requirements for Minor in Mathematics

  • Five units in mathematics, including the three foundation courses, Mathematics 141, 143, 239, plus one from 236, 245, 247 and one from 331, 335, 342.
  • Computer Science 171.

Not open to mathematics majors.

Requirements for Minor in Applied Mathematics

  • Five units in mathematics, including Mathematics 141, 143, 245, 247, plus one from 316, 326, 360, 380.
  • Computer Science 171.

Not open to mathematics majors.

Requirements for Minor in Statistics

  • Six units in mathematics, including Mathematics 141, 143, 209, 245, 309, and 310.
  • Not open to mathematics majors.

Requirements for Minor in Computer Science

  • Five and one-quarter units in computer science, including 171, 173, and 299; plus three additional units at the 200-level or higher. At least two of these three units must be selected from 352, 354, 356, or 358.
  • Mathematics 141, 239.
  • Students are encouraged to elect cognates in a specific field of interest in consultation with their adviser. Possible cognate areas include, but are not limited to, mathematics, physics, philosophy, psychology and economics.
  • All courses for the minor must be taken for a numerical grade.

Requirements for Mathematics Major with Secondary Education Certification

  • 10 units in mathematics and computer science, including the six foundation courses, plus 309, 331, 335, 342.
  • Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Mathematics Minor with Secondary Education Certification

  • Five units in mathematics, including the three foundation courses, Mathematics 141, 143, 236, plus 335 and 342. The department may waive one or more of the foundation course requirements for students with advanced high school mathematics preparation.
  • Mathematics 210, 239 and Computer Science 171 are recommended.
  • Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Mathematics Major with Elementary Education Certification

  • 10 units in mathematics and computer science, including the six foundation courses, plus 309, 335, 342, 345.
  • Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Other Requirements for All Mathematics Majors and Minors and Computer Science Minors

  • A minimum grade of 2.0 is required in any mathematics course used as a prerequisite for another mathematics course.
  • While a student may begin with Mathematics 125 and still complete a major, it is recommended that prospective majors take a similar course in high school if at all possible.
  • Students majoring in mathematics are required to complete both 299, 399, Colloquium in Mathematics and Computer Science. Students minoring in mathematics are required to complete 299.
  • No course to be counted toward a major or minor in mathematics may be taken on a credit/no credit basis, except Mathematics 299 and 399, which are only offered as credit/no credit courses.
  • Students majoring or minoring in mathematics or minoring in computer science are expected to furnish the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science with information about their course work and activities related to the department. The department faculty will use this information when nominating students for awards, scholarships and membership in professional societies, and as the basis for letters of recommendation. Students are encouraged to include this information on their personal World Wide Web pages or to develop a portfolio Web page for their activities related to their major.