2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Mathematics and Statistics
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322 Gildemeister Hall
507.457.5370
Mathematics and Statistics website
Nicole Williams, Chairperson
Faculty
Silas Bergen, Assistant Professor; BS, Winona State University; PhD, University of Washington; 2014 -
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, Associate 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, 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 -
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; BA, St. Louis University; MS, PhD, Louisiana State University; 2012 -
Pingping Zhang, Assistant Professor; BA, BS, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (China); MA, PhD, Ohio State University; 2014 -
Purpose
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers major programs in mathematics, mathematics education, data science, and statistics. The department also offers minor programs in mathematics, statistics, data science, and middle school mathematics teaching.
The Mathematics (MTHM) - BA Major provides students with instruction in the basic techniques, applications, and theories of mathematics. Students currently majoring or planning to major in other disciplines are strongly urged to consider adding a major or minor in mathematics as a useful means of preparing for professional exams, such as the MCAT; as a way of creating an undergraduate program that sets the student apart from others in that discipline when competing for future employment; and as a way of increasing options for future graduate work.
The Mathematics (MATH) - BS Major 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 PhD program in mathematics after graduation.
The Mathematics - Secondary Teaching (MTHT) - BT Major 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 Middle Level Mathematics (Teaching) (MLMA) - Minor is designed for students completing a teaching major and prepares students to teach middle school mathematics.
The Statistics (STAT) - BS Major provides students with both a solid background in mathematics as well as experience with statistical theories, methods, and statistical software. Because statistics is applicable in a wide variety of fields, a BS minor or adding a 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.
The discipline of data science focuses on transforming data into knowledge. The Data Science (DSCI) - BS Major requires a student to acquire knowledge and expertise in data science through an understanding of analytical and computational techniques, an interdisciplinary emphasis, and a capstone experience.
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. The addition of a BA mathematics major/minor 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 or BS Major - Data Science is very solid, with roughly a 27% increase in jobs from 2012 - 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Opportunities for professional employment exist in industry, medical research, government agencies, and several areas of business for both degrees.
Honors in Mathematics
A departmental honors program is available to qualified majors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Students who complete the requirements below will graduate with departmental honors in Mathematics.
Requirements for the honors program in Mathematics:
- Complete the following courses with a grade of B or better:
- MATH 447 Abstract Algebra I
- MATH 448 Abstract Algebra II
- MATH 452 Advanced Calculus I
- MATH 453 Advanced Calculus II
- Graduate with a Departmental GPA of at least 3.5 and a WSU GPA of at least 3.0
- Complete an independent project comparable to MATH BS-requirements.
Credit by Examination Courses
A student may receive credit by examination for 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 50 - 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
Math/Critical Analysis (◆)
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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