banner USF Home College of Arts & Sciences OASIS myUSF USF A-Z Index

USF Home > College of Arts and Sciences > Department of Mathematics & Statistics

The B.A. in Mathematics

The undergraduate mathematics program offers a diversity of courses designed not only to enable the student to pursue a profession in mathematics itself, but also to enhance the student's competence in the fields of engineering, the physical sciences, the life sciences, and the social sciences. The program emphasizes the broad nature of modern mathematics and its close associations with the real world and prepares students for careers in industry or secondary education as well as entry into graduate school. Further information about careers in math can be found at Careers in Math.

Math majors must fulfill the following degree requirements:

Foundations of Knowledge and Learning (FKL) Core Curriculum

The FKL core curriculum consists of two parts: 36 credit hours of lower-level General Education courses and 6 credit hours of upper-level Exit courses. Further information can be found at Foundations of Knowledge and Learning (FKL) Core Curriculum.

Note that math majors will satisfy the Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning portion of the Gen Ed requirement by fulfilling the Math Major Requirement described below. Similarly, the Natural Sciences requirements can be satisfied by fulfilling the Science Requirement described below.

Note: A student cannot count both of the two math history courses toward the math major requirement.

Computer Language Requirement

Math majors are required to take a course which teaches proficiency in computer programming. There are many courses that will fulfill this requirement, but most math majors take COP 4313 — Symbolic Computations in Mathematics because it also counts toward the math major requirement described below.

Foreign Language Requirement

Math majors are required to fulfill both a foreign language entrance requirement and a foreign language exit requirement. A description of these requirements can be found at Foreign Language Requirement. As mentioned at this website, students should go to the Department of World Languages in CPR 419 to determine exactly what must be done to fulfill the foreign language exit requirement.

Note: Math majors are encouraged to take French, German, or Russian to fulfill the language requirement since these are the primary languages, other than English, in which higher-level mathematics is written. However, the student may choose another language if he/she desires.

Exception: American Sign Language may not be used by math majors to fulfill the language requirement.

Science Requirement

Math majors are required to take two science courses with labs. These courses must be from the Departments of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Geology; Integrative Biology; or Physics and must be required for the majors of that department. The two courses do not have to be from the same department. For example, a student could take one physics course with lab and one chemistry course with lab. Most students select two courses from the following list:

  • BSC 2010/2010L
  • BSC 2011/2011L
  • CHM 2045/2045L
  • CHM 2046/2046L
  • GLY 2010/2000L
  • PHY 2048/2048L
  • PHY 2049/2049L

Math Major Requirement

Math majors are required to take a minimum of 45 hours of math courses.

Core Requirement

The following six Core courses are required (21 credit hours):

  • MAC 2311 — Calculus I (4)
  • MAC 2312 — Calculus II (4)
  • MAC 2313 — Calculus III (4)
  • MAP 2302 — Differential Equations (3)
  • MGF 3301 — Bridge to Abstract Mathematics (3)
  • MAS 3105 — Linear Algebra (3)

Note: Math majors can take the Engineering Calculus sequence MAC 2281/2282/2283 instead of the sequence MAC 2311/2312/2313, but the latter is preferred.

Algebra Requirement

Majors must complete the following course (3 credit hours):

  • MAS 4301 — Elementary Abstract Algebra (3)

Analysis Requirement

One of the following two Analysis courses is required (3 credit hours):

  • MAA 4211 — Intermediate Analysis I (3)
  • MAS 4156 — Vector Calculus (3)

Note: If both Analysis courses are taken, then one course can be counted toward the Elective Requirement (see below).

Elective Requirement

Six Electives must be chosen from the following list (18 credit hours minimum):

  • COP 4313 — Symbolic Computations in Mathematics (3)
  • MAA 4211 — Intermediate Analysis I (3)
  • MAA 4212 — Intermediate Analysis II (3)
  • MAA 4402 — Complex Variables (3)
  • MAD 4401 — Numerical Analysis I (3)
  • MAD 4402 — Numerical Analysis II (3)
  • MAD 4504 — Theory of Computation (3)
  • MAP 4202 — Optimization (3)
  • MAS 4156 — Vector Calculus (3)
  • MAT 4970 — Mathematics Senior Thesis
  • MHF 4406 — History of Modern Mathematics (3)
  • MTG 4214 — Modern Geometry (3)
  • MTG 4302 — Introduction to Topology (3)
  • STA 4321 — Essentials of Statistics (3)
  • STA 4442 — Introduction to Probability (3)

Special Notes:

  1. MAT 4930 (Selected Topics in Mathematics), or 5000-level mathematics courses, may be taken as electives, with the prior approval of the Department Chair.
  2. One or two courses from another department which are of high mathematical content may be taken as electives, with the prior approval of the Department Chair.
  3. Majors wishing to take courses in statistics should first take STA 4442, then STA 4321.
  4. Majors intending to pursue graduate work in mathematics should take MAS 4301 and MAA 4211. (See also the description of the 5-Year BA/MA Program.)
  5. Majors are required to take the minimum of 12 credit hours of required courses at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at USF.