Program Details | Mathematics BA/BS

The degree program requires a basic core of courses (44 credits) and elective courses (18-21 credits). This structure gives flexibility to the program that allows students to pursue special areas of interest in mathematics. The program is designed to provide a foundation for more advanced work and/or a basis for employment in business, government, industry, or secondary education.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the general University degree requirements, the major in mathematics must complete the following requirements.

CourseCredits
MTH 251, 252, 253 Calculus I, II, III12
MTH 261 Introduction to Linear Algebra4
MTH 254 Calculus IV4
MTH 255 Calculus V4
MTH 256 Differential Equations 4
Either MTH 271 or CS 1614
MTH 311, 312 Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I, II8
MTH 344 Group Theory4
One approved two-term 400-level MTH or STAT sequence from list below6
Two additional approved 400-level MTH or STAT courses from list below6-7
Two additional approved 300-level or 400-level MTH or STAT courses from list below6-8

All courses used to satisfy the departmental major requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C-, P, or above, but no more than 4 courses graded P will count toward these requirements.

Transfer students majoring in mathematics are required to take a minimum of 15 credits of PSU upper-division mathematics or statistics courses in residence.

Approved Sequences and Electives

Each course appearing on the 400-level approved sequences list counts as an approved elective when it is not used as part of the sequence satisfying the 400-level sequence requirement for the major. Students are encouraged to take recommended electives from the distinct focus area that best meets their interests and career goals.

400-Level Approved Sequences

  • Mth 411-412 Introduction to Real Analysis I, II
  • Mth 421-422 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I, II
  • Mth 424-425 Elementary Differential Geometry and Tensor Analysis I, II
  • Mth 427-428 Partial Differential Equations I, II
  • Mth 431-432 Topics in Geometry I, II
  • Mth 434-435 Set Theory and Topology I, II
  • Mth 435-436 Set Theory and Topology II, III
  • Mth 441-442 Introduction to Abstract Algebra I, II
  • Mth 444-445 Advanced Linear/ Multilinear Algebra I, II
  • Mth 451-452 Numerical Calculus I, II
  • Mth 457-458 The Mathematical Theory of Games
  • Mth 461-462 Graph Theory I, II
  • Mth 464-465 Numerical Optimization I, II
  • Mth 470-471 Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I, II
  • Mth 477-478 Mathematical Control Theory I, II
  • Stat 461-462 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I, II
  • Stat 465-466 Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I, II
  • Stat 467-468 Applied Probability I, II

Approved Electives

  • Mth 300 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
  • Mth 313 Advanced Multivariable Calculus
  • Mth 322 Applied Partial Differential Equations
  • Mth 324 Vector Analysis
  • Mth 338 Modern College Geometry
  • Mth 343 Applied Linear Algebra
  • Mth 345 Introduction to Ring and Field Theory
  • Mth 346 Number Theory
  • Mth 356 Discrete Mathematics
  • Mth 449 Topics in Advanced Number Theory
  • Mth 456 Topics in Combinatorics
  • Mth 480 Systems Analysis: Calculus of Variations
  • Mth 481 Topics in Probability for Mathematics Teachers
  • Mth 482 Topics in Statistics for Mathematics Teachers
  • Mth 483 Topics in Geometry for Mathematics Teachers
  • Mth 484 Topics in Algebra for Mathematics Teachers
  • Mth 485 Topics in Analysis for Mathematics Teachers
  • Mth 486 Topics in the History of Mathematics
  • Mth 487 Discrete Mathematics for Mathematics Teachers
  • Mth 488 Topics in Technology for Mathematics Teachers
  • Stat 451 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
  • Stat 452 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II
  • Stat 464 Applied Regression Analysis

Mathematics BA/BS Options

In addition to the specific required courses, the following options are intended to help the student plan a program of study with a specific goal or career in mind.

Option I—Applied Mathematics
Recommended electives:

  • Mth 322 Applied Partial Differential Equations
  • Mth 343 Applied Linear Algebra
  • Mth 371 Large-Scale Data Algorithms
  • Mth 421 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I
  • Mth 422 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II
  • Mth 424 Elementary Differential Geometry I
  • Mth 425 Elementary Differential Geometry II
  • Mth 427 Partial Differential Equations I
  • Mth 428 Partial Differential Equations II
  • Mth 430 Topics in Mathematical Modeling
  • Mth 451 Numerical Calculus I
  • Mth 452 Numerical Calculus II 
  • Mth 457 The Mathematical Theory of Games I
  • Mth 458 The Mathematical Theory of Games II
  • Mth 464 Numerical Optimization I
  • Mth 465 Numerical Optimization II
  • Mth 470 Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I
  • Mth 477 Mathematical Control Theory I
  • Mth 478 Mathematical Control Theory II

Option II—Graduate School Preparation
Recommended electives:

  • Mth 411 Introduction to Real Analysis I 
  • Mth 412 Introduction to Real Analysis II 
  • Mth 413 Introduction to Real Analysis III 
  • Mth 434 Set Theory and Topology I 
  • Mth 435 Set Theory and Topology II 
  • Mth 436 Set Theory and Topology III 
  • Mth 441 Introduction to Abstract Algebra I  
  • Mth 442 Introduction to Abstract Algebra II 
  • Mth 443 Introduction to Abstract Algebra III

Option III—Statistics
Recommended electives:

  • Stat 361 Introduction to Statistical Methods 
  • Stat 363 Statistical Computing and Data Visualization in R 
  • Stat 364 Modern Regression Analysis 
  • Stat 387 Introduction to Statistical Learning 
  • Stat 461 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I 
  • Stat 462 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II 
  • Stat 463 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III 
  • Stat 464 Applied Regression Analysis 
  • Stat 465 Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I 
  • Stat 466 Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II 
  • Stat 467 Applied Probability I 
  • Stat 468 Applied Probability II 

Option IV—High School Teaching
Recommended electives:

  • Mth 338 Modern College Geometry
  • Mth 346 Number Theory
  • Mth 356 Discrete Mathematics
  • Mth 486 Topics in The History of Mathematics
  • Mth 488 Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers
  • Stat 461 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I
  • Stat 462 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II 

Option V—Actuarial Science
Recommended electives:

  • Mth 451 Numerical Calculus I 
  • Mth 452 Numerical Calculus II
  • Stat 451 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
  • Stat 461 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I
  • Stat 462 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II
  • Stat 463 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III
  • Stat 464 Applied Regression Analysis
  • Stat 465 Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I
  • Stat 466 Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II
  • Stat 467 Applied Probability I
  • Stat 468 Applied Probability II

Requirements for Catalog Year 2018 and Earlier

Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with our undergraduate advisors about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

CourseCredits
MTH 251, 252, 253 Calculus I, II, III12
MTH 261 Introduction to Linear Algebra4
MTH 254 Calculus IV4
MTH 256 Differential Equations 4
Either MTH 271 or CS 1614
MTH 311, 312 Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I, II8
MTH 344 Group Theory4

One of the following:

  • MTH 338 Modern College Geometry
  • MTH 345 Ring and Field Theory
  • MTH 346 Number Theory
  • MTH 444 Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra 
3-4
One approved two-term 400-level MTH or STAT sequence from list above6
Two additional approved 400-level MTH or STAT courses from list above6-7
Two additional approved 300-level or 400-level MTH or STAT courses from list above6-8