Mathematics

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Professors:

Albert J. Osei, Ph.D.
Darayas Patel, Ph.D.

Associate Professors:

Shushannah Smith, Ph.D. (Chair)

Assistant Professors:

Joseph Jeries, M.S.
Jea Joseph, M.S.

Major(s):

  • Applied Mathematics (B.S.)
    Concentrations: 
    • Engineering
    • Quantitative Science
  • Computer Networks (B.A.
  • Computer Science (B.S.)
  • Information Technology (B.S.-ACE/Adult Education)
  • Mathematics (B.A. and B.S.)
  • Mathematics Education (B.S.)

Minor(s):

Computer Science
Mathematics
Physics

Affiliated Program: Engineering (B.S.) - Dual Degree Partnership Program

Purpose

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science aims to help students define their life and career goals through courses, advising, and faculty interactions. Our programs prepare students for graduate studies, teaching, industry, government roles, and applying mathematics across various fields. As a service unit, the department also supports other university programs by offering essential mathematics courses. Beyond academics, we foster personal growth, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness, reflecting our commitment to students’ intellectual and holistic development.

High School Preparation

Potential mathematics and computer science majors should follow a college preparatory program in high school. Students should take courses in algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Consideration should be given to enrolling in AP mathematics classes and taking AP exams. Additionally, students would do well to focus on obtaining high scores in the mathematics portions of standardized examinations such as the ACT or SAT.

Application for Admission

To be admitted as a major in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, students must have completed at least 32 hours of course work, including EN 112 Freshman Composition. Students must also have completed MA 171Calculus I and MA 172 Calculus II if a mathematics or applied mathematics major, or CM 210 Computer Science I with C++ and CM 220 Computer Science II Data Structures with C++ if a computer science or computer networks major. Applicants must have an overall minimum GPA of 2.00 and a minimum GPA of 2.25 in all mathematics or computer science courses. Application forms must be obtained from and returned to the department.

Exit Examination

Majors in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science are required to pass an exit examination with a minimum passing grade of C. The exit examination is administered during both the fall and spring semesters. See the exit examination policy and procedures in the departmental curriculum guide.

Career Opportunities

A degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, or computer networks prepares a student for a variety of positions in business, government, industry, and education or to pursue graduate studies in a variety of areas. The types of exciting and rewarding careers available include actuary, cryptologist, computer programmer, computer systems analyst, information scientist, mathematician, engineer, numerical analyst, operations research analyst, and statistician. The types of graduate programs available include but are not limited to mathematics, mathematics education, engineering, computer science, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, physics, computational biology, health informatics, statistics and biostatistics.

Degrees

Courses

MA 108: College Algebra

Credits 3

This course is a thorough review of the fundamental ideas of algebra. Course topics include linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, rational expressions and function, polynomials, factoring, systems of equations and graphing. This course does not count towards a mathematics major or minor.

MA 108L: College Algebra with Lab*

Credits 4

This collegiate level course is designed to strengthen the student’s pre-college algebra skills while learning college algebra. Topics include solving linear equations, polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, graphs, quadratic equations, rational equations, and radical equations. This course does not count toward the mathematics major or minor, however, it can be used as a math general education requirement. *Pending final approval of MA 108L College Algebra with Lab course

MA 110: Survey of Mathematics

Credits 3

Course topics include critical thinking skills, sets, number theory, the real number system, algebra, graphs, consumer mathematics, geometry. It does not count toward a mathematics major or minor. (Formerly MA 101 Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics)

MA 121: Precalculus Algebra

Credits 3

The algebra of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; graphing; linear and quadratic equations; linear and quadratic inequalities will be studied. Additional topics may include matrices and determinants. 

MA 122: Precalculus Trigonometry

Credits 3

This course is the study of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions and their graphs; trigonometric identities; and solving trigonometric equations. Additional topics may include vectors and complex numbers. 

MA 123: Precalculus Algebra & Trigonometry

Credits 4

Course topics include elementary functions, their graphs and applications, including polynomial, rational, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Students may not receive credit for both MA 123 and the MA 121-MA 122 sequence. 

MA 123H: Precalculus Algebra & Trigonometry (Honor)

Credits 4

Course topics include elementary functions, their graphs and applications, including polynomial, rational, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. A student may not receive credit for both <a href="/mathematics/ma-123">MA 123</a> and the <a href="/mathematics/ma-121">MA 121</a>-122 sequence. This Honors section will have additional requirements that may include extra or expanded assignments, projects or modified assessments.

MA 171: Calculus I

Credits 4

This course is a study of limits, continuity, derivatives, differentials, chain rule, implicit differentiation, applications of the derivative, anti-differentiation, definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus, exponential and logarithmic functions.

MA 171H: Calculus I (Honor)

Credits 4

This course is a study of limits, continuity, derivatives, differentials, chain rules, implicit differentiation, applications of the derivative, antidifferentiation, definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus, exponential and logarithmic functions. This Honors section will have additional requirements that may include extra or expanded assignments, projects or modified assessments. 

MA 172: Calculus II

Credits 4

Topics in this course include inverse trigonometric functions, hyperbolic functions, techniques of integration, L’Hôpital’s rule, improper integrals, applications of the integral, sequences and series, polar coordinates and vectors. 

MA 200: Introduction to Elementary Mathematics

Credits 3

This course is a study of the language and structure of mathematics, including numeration, integers, rational and real numbers, concepts related to consumer mathematics, plane and spherical geometry, elementary probability theory, and the introduction to the use of computers and simple statistics. This course is open to elementary education majors only and cannot be used to fulfill the general education requirements in mathematics.

MA 211: Applied Calculus

Credits 3

This course is an introduction to differential and integral calculus with applications to problems in life sciences, business, economics and the social sciences. It does not apply toward a mathematics major or minor. 

MA 221: Introductory Statistics

Credits 3

This course introduces statistics to students in a variety of disciplines. The topics covered include descriptive statistics, graphs and charts, introduction to probability and probability distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression.

MA 251: Geometry

Credits 3

This course is an informal summary of elementary Euclidean geometry, a formal modern development of the basic concepts of elementary geometry, non-Euclidean geometry, and a selection of topics in advanced Euclidean geometry. Offered spring semester of even numbered years. 

MA 271: Calculus III

Credits 4

Topics in this course include vector-valued functions, partial differentiation, directional derivative, gradient, tangent plane, extreme values and Lagrange multipliers, iterated integrals, double integrals, vector fields, line and surface integrals, curl and divergence.

MA 305: Applied Mathematics with Technical Writing

Credits 3

This course is designed to expose the mathematics/engineering major to the working environment of industry and to give students an opportunity to apply knowledge of mathematics to solve problems in the physical, biological, and social sciences. In addition, this course introduces students to mathematical literary research and prepares students to produce effective technical documentation for both written and digital media used in today’s workforce. Emphasis is placed upon technical memos, emails, resume writing, proposals, and technical reports. The course is offered as needed.

MA 308: Linear Algebra

Credits 3

Course topics include systems of linear equations, matrices, matrix operations, determinants, vectors and vector spaces, bases, inner product, linear transformations, change of basis, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, and applications.

MA 311: Differential Equations

Credits 3

A study of first-order differential equations, linear differential equations with variable and constant coefficients, systems of linear differential equations, Laplace transform methods, series solutions, boundary value problems, and applications. 

MA 312: Numerical Analysis

Credits 3

A study of numerical methods as they apply to computers, this course’s topics include roots of equations, linear and non-linear simultaneous equations, polynomials, numerical integration, ordinary differential equations, interpolation, and curve-fitting. 

MA 313: Mathematics Essentials

Credits 3

This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts, ideas and tools involved in doing mathematics. Students are introduced to logic and become familiar with methods of mathematical proofs. The topics covered include basic introduction to elementary number theory, cardinality, induction, the algebra of sets, relations, equivalence relations, congruences, partitions, and functions. 

MA 321: Probability and Statistics I

Credits 3

This course is a calculus-based introduction to probability and statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics, continuous and discrete random variables, conditional probability, expectation and moments, inference, point and interval estimation, testing hypotheses, regression and correlation, and applications.

MA 322: Probability and Statistics II

Credits 3

This course is a continuation of MA 321 Probability and Statistics. Topics include multivariate distributions, functions of random variables, sampling distributions, more estimation methods, Neyman- Pearson, likelihood ratio test, goodness of fit, and analysis of variance. 

MA 401: Advanced Calculus I

Credits 3

In this course students will explore Vector Calculus: vectors and curves, functions of several variables, limits and continuity, vector functions of a vector, differentiability and the Jacobian matrix, transformations, multiple integrals, line and surface integral. Additional topics include Theory of Convergence: infinite series, sequence and series of functions, improper integrals and integral representations of functions.

MA 402: Advanced Calculus II

Credits 3

In this course students will explore Vector Calculus: vectors and curves, functions of several variables, limits and continuity, vector functions of a vector, differentiability and the Jacobian matrix, transformations, multiple integrals, line and surface integral. Additional topics include Theory of Convergence: infinite series, sequence and series of functions, improper integrals and integral representations of functions.

MA 411: Introduction to Modern Algebra

Credits 3
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Topics in this course include algebra of sets, equivalence relations, mappings, order relations; discussion of natural, rational, real, and complex number systems; study of the abstract systems: groups, fields, rings, and integral domains. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English. 

MA 419: Real Analysis I

Credits 3
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This course is a theoretical treatment of the real number system, topological properties of the real line, sequences of real numbers, and properties of continuous functions. Course topics include logical connectives, quantifiers, techniques of proof, cardinality, the completeness property, compact sets, metric spaces, and continuity in metric spaces. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English. 

MA 420: Real Analysis II

Credits 3
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This course is a continuation of MA 419 Real Analysis I. Topics will include the Mean Value Theorem, Riemann integration, convergence tests for sequences and series, point wise and uniform convergence of continuous functions, analytic functions, and compactness properties of continuous functions. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English. 

MA 421: Introduction to Topology

Credits 3

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of modern topology. Topics include metric spaces, topological spaces, connectedness, compactness, completeness, quotient spaces, manifolds, and classification of surfaces. This course is designed to expose students to concepts in topology and to provide a foundation for a graduate course in topology.

MA 422: Introduction to Complex Analysis

Credits 3
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In this course the functions of a complex variable: integration, sequences and series, the calculus of residues and conformal mapping are studied. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English. Offered spring semester alternate years.

MA 490: Research and Independent Study

Credits 1 Max Credits 3
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This is an independent study course or an original investigation in mathematics by students under the guidance of the faculty. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English.

MA 491: Research and Independent Study

Credits 1 Max Credits 3
Code
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An independent study or an original investigation in mathematics by the student under the guidance of the faculty. In this course students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English.