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Mathematics

FACULTY Professors McAsey, Mou, Szeto, Timm (chair), Xue; Associate Professors Bedenikovic, Kasube, Lang, Nanyes, Quigg; Assistant Professors Carty, Mooney, Yildirim Yolcu, Yolcu.

A student considering mathematics as a career should realize that emphasis in mathematics courses will change as the individual progresses through an academic program. The initial concern for solving problems is later dominated by the more important objectives of formulating problems in mathematical language and dealing with mathematical structures and abstract ideas. It should be stressed that an effective mathematician should be a well-educated person, possessing not only the technical background of mathematics but also a selection of courses from other disciplines.

Mathematics Major

All students majoring in mathematics must meet the following departmental requirements:

1. The mathematics core curriculum

  • MTH 121, 122, 223 Calculus I, II, III
  • MTH 207 Elementary Linear Algebra with Applications
  • MTH 420 Introduction to Analysis
  • MTH 325 Probability and Statistics I
  • MTH 404 Modern Algebra I
  • MTH 494, 495 Senior Project I, II
  • CS 100 Introduction to Programming Concepts and Languages or CS 101 Introduction to Programming

2. At least two of the following sequences:

  • MTH 420 and 421 or 403;
  • MTH 325 and 326;
  • MTH 404 and 405;
  • MTH 501 and 502;
  • MTH 510 and 511. 
    Other sequences may be approved by the department; however, any two sequences must include four distinct courses.

3. At least 24 semester hours of mathematics courses numbered 301 or above. Upper-level core and sequence courses are counted as part of this requirement.

Unless the requirements of a course have been met through some other means such as testing or transfer credit, all entering mathematics majors are advised to begin their academic program with the following course of study.

Freshman Year

  • MTH 121, 122 Calculus I, II - 8 hrs.
  • ENG 101 English Composition - 3 hrs.
  • COM 103 Oral Communication Process - 3 hrs.
  • CS 100 Introduction to Programming Concepts and Languages or CS 101 Introduction to Programming - 3 or 4 hrs.
  • Electives - 15 hrs. 
    32 hours

The Department of Mathematics recognizes that students majoring in mathematics will have diverse career interests and goals. In fact, flexibility is one of the desirable attributes of a major in mathematics. With proper selection of elective courses, programs may be designed for students who wish to specialize in mathematics, teach at the high school level, or for students with career interests in the application of mathematics to, for example, actuarial science, business, computer science, economics or the physical sciences. By selecting appropriate courses, mathematics majors will often complete a minor in one of these applied areas. Some suggestions are as follows:

Mathematics

Students considering further study of mathematics at the graduate level should elect courses such as:

  • MTH 307 Linear Algebra
  • MTH 345 Differential Equations
  • MTH 403 Complex Variables
  • MTH 405 Modern Algebra II
  • MTH 406 Elementary Topology
  • MTH 421 Advanced Calculus
  • In addition, a year of physics (PHY 110 and 201), MTH 120, and a foreign language may prove beneficial. 

Mathematics - Secondary Education

Students wishing to be certified to teach mathematics at the secondary level in Illinois enroll in the Bradley University Mathematics Department MTHT major program. The mathematics requirements for this degree program consist of a core of required classes, the fulfillment of a breadth requirement, and a depth requirement. In addition, to be certified to teach mathematics at the secondary level in the state of Illinois one must complete the requirements for a secondary teaching certificate. These requirements are listed under the Department of Teacher Education (Secondary Programs) and include a minimum of 35 hours in education courses.

1. The mathematics core curriculum for the MTHT program is:

  • MTH 121 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
  • MTH 122 Calculus with Analytic Geometry 11
  • MTH 223 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III
  • MTH 207 Linear Algebra
  • MTH 325 Probability and Statistics I
  • MTH 404 Abstract Algebra I
  • MTH 420 Real Analysis I
  • CS 100 Introduction to Programming Concepts and Languages or CS 101 Introduction to Programming

2. The depth requirement can be fulfilled by completing two sequences from among the following five sequences:

  • MTH 325-326;
  • MTH 404-405;
  • MTH 420 and MTH 421 or MTH 403;
  • MTH 501-502;
  • MTH 510-511;

3. The breadth requirement can be fulfilled by completing a total of 24 semester hours in courses numbered 301 and above. Upper-level mathematics in the core curriculum and sequence course are counted in this total.

4. The state currently requires that students be introduced to various topics in order to meet certification requirements. Most of the mathematical topics required for certification are covered in the core curriculum described in number 1 above. Currently, there are additional certification requirements in graph theory, geometry, and history of mathematics. State certification requirements change frequently. It is the student’s responsibility to see that the current state certification requirements are satisfied. 

Actuarial Science – Mathematics Major

The actuarial field is one of the oldest applications of mathematics and deals with insurance, annuity, and pension plans of all kinds.

An actuarial science-mathematics major is

1. Required to take the following courses:

  • MTH 121, 122, 223 Calculus I, II, III - 12 hrs.
  • MTH 207 Elementary Linear Algebra - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 325, 326 Probability and Statistics I, II - 6 hrs.
  • MTH 335 Topics in Actuarial Science (two different topics) - 6 hrs.
  • MTH 427 Applied Statistical Methods - 3 hrs.
  • Elective mathematics courses (see note 2) - 6 hrs.
  • CS 100 Introduction to Programming Concepts and Languages or CS 101 Introduction to Programming - 3 or 4 hrs.
  • ATG 157 Accounting Principles I - 3 hrs.
  • ECO 221, 222 Microeconomics, Macroeconomics - 6 hrs.
  • IME 313 Operations Research I - 3 hrs.
  • IME 314 Operations Research II - 3 hrs.
  • RMI 315 Principles of Risk Management - 3 hrs.
  • FIN 322 Business Finance - 3 hrs. 
    60 hours

2. Required to take at least two additional three-hour courses from courses numbered MTH 301 or above other than MTH 325, MTH 326, MTH 335 and MTH 427.

3. For an AS-M major a maximum of 25 percent of the total undergraduate program credit hours including required courses may consist of courses from the Foster College of Business. For example, in a 124-credit-hour program a maximum of 31 credit hours of business courses may be taken.

Although no additional business courses are required, students wishing to take business courses in addition to those required courses listed above should consider choosing from among the following, subject to the restriction noted above: BUS 100, BUS 210, BUS 300, IB 306, ATG 158, MTG 315, BLW 342, ML 250, ML 350, ECO 301, FIN 325, FIN 425, any RMI course. 

Mathematics Minor

A mathematics minor requires 24 semester hours in mathematics as follows:

  1. MTH 121, 122, 223 Calculus I, II, III; and
  2. 12 semester hours in mathematics courses numbered 301 or above; or MTH 207 (linear algebra) and 9 semester hours in mathematics courses numbered 301 or above
  3. At least one course from among:  MTH 301, 302, 305, 307, 310, 404, 406 and 420.

Advanced Placement In Mathematics

Students scoring a 5, 4 or 3 on the Advanced Placement (AP) program mathematics examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board may receive up to eight semester hours of credit for MTH 121 and MTH 122 Calculus I and II.

This is the official catalog for the 2014-2015 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.