The Department of Mathematics offers two majors, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. These majors prepare students for a vast variety of careers in the mathematical sciences and in numerous related disciplines. Graduating students will have a solid foundation that enables them to perform successfully in industry, business, government, and further studies. Graduates may pursue advanced degrees in mathematics, applied mathematics, and related areas such as engineering and economics. They may also prepare for secondary mathematics certification or for professional degree programs such as law and medicine.
Students with an interest in mathematics should consult sites on the Internet hosted by the Mathematical Association of America (www.maa.org) and the American Mathematical Society (www.ams.org) such as www.ams.org/employment and www.maa.org/students/undergrad/career.html.
Mathematics serves as an essential tool for many other majors, and it plays an important role in the general education of all students. The Department of Mathematics at Marshall University makes every effort to help students learn valuable critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Majors must fulfill the general and specific requirements for the B.S. degree in the College of Science except for the minor (see requirements below). Students should go to the College of Science dean’s office, Science 270, in order to declare a major. Within the 128 semester hours required for the B. S. degree, the major in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics must complete the following coursework.
Either major requires 14 mathematics courses, a minimum of 47 credit hours. Students with a second major or a minor outside of the Department of Mathematics can count some of those credit hours towards their Mathematics or Applied Mathematics major. This is explained in the section on Elective Requirements below. Since the major is quite flexible, students are expected to consult with an advisor in the department. Moreover, before graduation, the advisor must approve the selection of sequences and electives.
The following are required for majors in both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics:
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics majors must complete one of the following:
Mathematics majors must complete two of the following elective sequences:
Applied Mathematics majors must complete two of the following elective sequences:
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics majors are not required to satisfy the College of Science requirement of a minor in another discipline. However, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics majors often elect to complete a second (or more) major(s) and/or one (or more) minor(s). The Department of Mathematics encourages students to pursue broad interdisciplinary studies.
The elective courses in this section may not duplicate those used for the sequence requirements. The number of elective courses required depends on outside minors and majors. The following are the three options:
A student may graduate with a double major in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics by completing 4 different sequences that satisfy both Sequence Requirements plus 4 Elective courses not in those sequences; that is, the full Mathematics requirements plus 2 Applied Mathematics sequences, without duplication. Effectively, this double major requires 59 credit hours; no credit will derive from an outside major or minor.
Transfer students must take at least 12 hours of 300/400 level coursework in the College of Science and at least 15 hours in their major field, including at least nine hours of 300-400 level coursework at Marshall University.
The American College Test score in Mathematics is utilized for the placement of students. Relevant information regarding such placement is included under prerequisites in the Courses of Instruction. Students wishing to challenge their placement in a mathematics course may do so by taking the Accuplacer Placement Exam administered by University College.
Students with prior credit for any college algebra course (i.e., MTH 127, MTH 130, MTH 130E, MTH 130H, or MTH 132) may not receive credit for any other of these courses.
A student enrolled at Marshall may receive credit for certain courses in mathematics by successfully completing the appropriate examination of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
Advanced placement in mathematics is granted on the basis of Educational Testing Service Advanced Placement Test scores. Students who score 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB examination are given credit for Mathematics 130 and Mathematics 229, and those who score 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC examination are given credit for Mathematics 229 and Mathematics 230. Students who score 3 on BC are given credit for MTH 229; those who score 3 on AB are given credit for Mathematics 132.
Students interested in pursuing teaching certification in mathematics should visit the main office of the College of Education. Students who plan to complete a 5-Adult certification are encouraged to consult with an advisor in Mathematics about a second major in Applied Mathematics or Mathematics.