2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Mathematics and Statistics
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322 Gildemeister Hall
507.457.5370
Mathematics and Statistics website
Brant Deppa, Chairperson
Faculty
Joyati Debnath, Professor; BSc, MS, Jadavpur University; MS, PhD, Iowa State University of Science and Technology; 1989 -
Brant Deppa, Professor; BS, MS, University of Minnesota-Duluth; PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 1992 -
Jeffrey Draskoci-Johnson, Associate Professor; BA, Ohio Wesleyan University; MS, PhD, Ohio State University-Columbus; 1996 -
Eric Errthum, Associate Professor; BS, University of Iowa; PhD, University of Maryland; 2007 -
Tisha Hooks, Associate Professor; BS, University of Nebraska-Kearney; MS, PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; 2006 -
April Kerby, Assistant Professor; BS, BA, Alma College; MS, PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; 2009 -
Steven Leonhardi, Professor; BA, Concordia College-Moorhead; MA, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1996 -
Christopher Malone, Associate Professor; BS, Winona State University; MS, PhD, Kansas State University; 2002 -
Felino G. Pascual, Professor; BS, Ateneo de Manila (Philippines); MSc, PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 1992 -
Barry Peratt, Professor; BS, Moravian College; MS, PhD, University of Delaware; 1996 -
Daniel Rand, Professor; BS, Purdue University; MS, PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 1998 -
Kenneth A. Suman, Professor; BS, MS, Clemson University; PhD, Pennsylvania State University; 1990 -
Samuel K. Tsegai, Assistant Professor; BS, University of Asmara; MS, University of Twente; PhD, Indiana University; 2012 -
Aaron Wangberg, Associate Professor; BA, Luther College; PhD, Oregon State University; 2007 -
Nicole Williams, Professor; BS, University of Maine at Farmington; MS, PhD, Illinois State University; 2004 -
Lee Windsperger, Assistant Professor; BS, St. Louis University; MS, PhD, Louisiana State University; 2012 -
Purpose
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers major programs in mathematics, mathematics education, and statistics. The department also offers minor programs in mathematics, statistics, and mathematics education (secondary teaching). These programs are designed around a common, required departmental core of courses, which allows students to change majors within the department or to coordinate double majors with relative ease during the first two years of coursework. The best choice of courses beyond the core depends upon career plans (industry, graduate school, professional school, teaching, government, finance, insurance, etc.), and students should consult with faculty advisors as early as possible.
The B.A. mathematics major (BA Major - Mathematics) is specifically designed to support a wide range of student interests. Whether the goal is to complement coursework in another discipline, to obtain an education leading to a position in industry or in government, or to prepare for graduate work, students can choose elective coursework within the department to suit these needs.
The B.S. mathematics major (BS Major - Mathematics) is designed to give a diverse, comprehensive and in-depth view of mathematics with the intention of preparing students who wish to enter a masters or Ph.D. program in mathematics after graduation.
The mathematics teaching major (BT Major - Mathematics Teaching) is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching mathematics (grades 5-12). In addition, students in the mathematics education program may choose to complete an additional major or minor program, which also grants licensure in those subjects. All these options may offer important advantages regarding employment.
The statistics option (BS Major - Statistics) provides students with both a solid background in mathematics as well as experience with statistical theories, techniques, and software. The statistics faculty members have experience in the application of statistics to diverse areas such as quality control, industrial experimental design, clinical trials, and the social sciences. Because statistics is applicable in a wide variety of fields, a minor or second major in statistics is a good choice for students majoring in fields such as the biological and earth sciences, business, economics, sociology, and psychology.
Careers in the Mathematical Sciences
Graduates in the mathematical sciences have opportunities in education, industry, governmental agencies and post-graduate studies. The rigor and discipline required to excel in mathematics develop the reasoning abilities and broad problem-solving skills that are in constant demand.
With a degree in the mathematical sciences, opportunities exist for careers in insurance companies, technology-based industries, other nontechnical businesses, government agencies, the armed services, and for entry into professional schools of law, medicine, and management. Graduates who complete a double major including mathematics find themselves in significantly greater demand than if they had completed either major singly. The BA Major - Mathematics specifically addresses this employment trend.
With the addition of a mathematics major to a major or minor in another field, students will be qualified for graduate studies in a number of fields, including statistics, actuarial science, mathematics education, educational psychology, and business. For students interested in focusing solely on mathematics with the goal of pursuing a professional degree in mathematics, the BS Major - Mathematics is a broad but solid curriculum that provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in a graduate program in mathematics.
Current job placement for students with a BT Major-Mathematics: Secondary Teaching major remains strong and projections indicate the need for mathematics educators will continue for the next decade. In addition there is a growing demand for individuals with post-graduate degrees in mathematics education throughout academia.
The job market for students who earn a BS Major - Statistics is very solid with some projections indicating that the demand for statisticians will continue to increase. In statistics, opportunities for professional employment exist in industry, medical research, government agencies, and several areas of business. Suggested elective choices for coursework that emphasizes actuarial science, quality control, or biostatistics are given below..
Honors in Mathematics and Statistics
A departmental honors program is available to qualified majors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Students completing the departmental honors program will graduate with honors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Requirements of the departmental honors program include completing a thesis, which is reviewed by two departmental faculty readers, attending departmental colloquia and seminars, and presenting a summary of the thesis in a departmental seminar. For more details, contact the department chairperson.
Credit by Examination Courses
A student may receive credit by examination for MATH 212 - Calculus I , MATH 212 - Calculus I and MATH 213 - Calculus II . A student is allowed only one attempt per course. A grade of “B” or higher is required on the examination to receive credit.
Advanced Placement Credit
Students can receive credit for MATH 212 - Calculus I , MATH 213 - Calculus II and STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics for high school courses taken through the Advanced Placement Program. Consult with the department chairperson for specific test score requirements.
Pass/No Credit (P/NC) Courses
The pass/no credit option is available to non-majors unless otherwise noted. MATH 050 - Intermediate Algebra and STAT 492 - Practicum in Statistics must be taken for pass/no credit. Any other course not required nor elected for a major or minor may be taken on a pass/no credit basis. Except for internships and practica, students must take all courses in their major, minor, options, concentrations and licensures on a grade-only basis. Courses offered on a pass/no credit-only or grade-only basis are so designated in the course descriptions.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for courses in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics must be met with a grade of “C” or better or by instructor permission.
Transfer Credit
No credit will be given for a grade below a “C” for mathematics, mathematics education, or statistics courses taken at other institutions.
General Education Program Intensive Courses
Students may use intensive courses to satisfy both GEP and major requirements. Intensive courses will usually be in the student’s major or minor program. The Mathematics and Statistics Department offers the following intensive courses:
Mathematics Intensive Courses
Oral (◎)
Math/Critical Analysis (◆)
Writing (△)
Mathematics Education Intensive Courses
Oral (◎)
Math/Critical Analysis (◆)
Writing (△)
Statistics Intensive Courses
Oral (◎)
Math/Critical Analysis (◆)
Writing (△)
Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy mathematics and statistics major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives in this section.
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