Undergraduate Study
For the undergraduate curriculum in liberal arts and sciences, major in mathematics, leading to the degree bachelor of science, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum.
The program in mathematics offers training suitable for students planning to enter secondary school teaching, to work in mathematics and computation for industry or government, or to continue their studies in graduate school. Students may satisfy the major requirements in several ways, suitable for various career objectives. Graduates can construct rigorous arguments to demonstrate mathematical facts. They can communicate their mathematical methods to others and can justify their assumptions.
Traditional Program
The traditional program of study for mathematics majors gives students a thorough grounding in mathematics. Graduates understand a broad range of mathematical topics and are familiar with a broad range of mathematical models. They have skills for solving problems in diverse situations. The program allows flexibility for specialization, and students are encouraged to steer their education according to career objectives.
| MATH 101 | Orientation in Mathematics | 1 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 201 | Introduction to Proofs | 3 |
| MATH 265 | Calculus III | 4 |
| One of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Theory of Linear Algebra | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| MATH 301 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
| MATH 414 | Analysis I | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Elementary Differential Equations | ||
| Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms | ||
| One of the following: | 2 | |
| Undergraduate Seminar | ||
| Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Mathematics 1 | ||
| Additional Mathematics courses at the 300 level or above | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 45-47 | |
| 1 | C I 480C is available only for students seeking secondary school certification. |
| The courses listed above must include one of the sequences: | ||
| Abstract Algebra I and Abstract Algebra II | ||
| Introduction to Scientific Computing and Numerical Methods for Differential Equations | ||
| Combinatorics and Graph Theory | ||
| Analysis I and Analysis II | ||
| Geometry I and Geometry II | ||
Communication Proficiency Requirement:
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition 2 | 3 |
| One of the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Business Communication | ||
| Free-Lance Writing for Popular Magazines | ||
| Creative Writing: Nonfiction | ||
| Proposal and Report Writing | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| Undergraduate Thesis 4 | ||
| 2 | According to the university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement, students must demonstrate their communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 250. |
| 3 | with grade C- or better |
| 4 | with departmental approval |
Mathematics Plus
The Mathematics Plus option is for students who wish to establish a clear strength in a field of application of mathematics. They obtain the mathematics major by pursuing study of mathematics, through the upper division level, complementary to their application area. This program makes double majors more feasible and is appropriate for students who plan on employment or graduate study in the application field. It is not intended for students who plan on graduate study in mathematics. For more information, see the mathematics department web site or consult an adviser in mathematics.
Secondary Education
For certification requirements for teaching of mathematics in grades 5-12, see the Mathematics Department and School of Education web sites or consult an adviser.
Recommendations
The department strongly recommends that each student majoring in mathematics include in the program substantial supporting work beyond the minimum general education requirement of the college in one or more areas of application of mathematics, such as other mathematical sciences, engineering, natural science, economics or finance. Particularly useful are:
| COM S 207 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| COM S 208 | Intermediate Computer Programming | 3 |
| PHIL 207 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| PHYS 221 | Introduction to Classical Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS 222 | Introduction to Classical Physics II | 5 |
| STAT 201 | Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods | 4 |
It also recommends that students contemplating graduate study in mathematics acquire a reading knowledge of French, German, or Russian.
Credits Not Counted
Credits earned in the following cannot be counted toward graduation by mathematics majors:
| MATH 104 | Introduction to Probability | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to Mathematical Ideas | 3 |
| MATH 106 | Discovering Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 143 | Preparation for Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 145 | Applied Trigonometry | 3 |
| MATH 150 | Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| MATH 160 | Survey of Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 181 | Calculus and Mathematical Modeling for the Life Sciences I | 4 |
| MATH 195 | Mathematics for Elementary Education I | 3 |
| MATH 196 | Mathematics for Elementary Education II | 3 |
Minor in Mathematics
The department offers a minor in mathematics, which may be earned by credit in the following:
| MATH 201 | Introduction to Proofs | 3 |
| MATH 265 | Calculus III | 4 |
| One of the following | ||
| MATH 317 | Theory of Linear Algebra | 4 |
| MATH 407 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
| One of the following | ||
| MATH 301 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
| MATH 304 | Combinatorics | 3 |
| MATH 314 | Graph Theory | 3 |
| MATH 350 | Number Theory | 3 |
| MATH 421 | Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science | 3 |
| MATH 435 | Geometry I | 3 |
| MATH 436 | Geometry II | 3 |
| One of the following | ||
| MATH 266 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 267 | Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| MATH 331 | Topology | 3 |
| MATH 341 | Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics I | 4 |
| MATH 365 | Complex Variables with Applications | 3 |
| MATH 373 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 3 |
| MATH 414 | Analysis I | 3 |
Without Teacher Certification
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 101 | 1 | MATH 166 | 4 |
| MATH 165 | 4 | Social Science Choice | 3 |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | Arts & Humanities Choice | 3 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | Natural Science Choice | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Electives | 2 |
| Electives | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 201 | 3 | MATH 267 | 4 |
| MATH 265 | 4 | MATH 317 | 4 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | ENGL 250 | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Choice | 3 | Social Science Choice | 3 |
| Electives | 2 | Electives | 1 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH Two-Course Sequence1 | 3 | MATH Two-Course Sequence1 | 3 |
| MATH 301 or 414 | 3 | MATH 301 or 414 | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Choice | 3 | Communication Choice2 | 3 |
| Foreign Language/Electives | 4 | Foreign Language/Electives | |
| Natural Science Choice | Electives | 2 | |
| 13 | 11 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH Choice, Level 300+ | 3 | MATH Choice, Level 300+ | 3 |
| MATH 492 or MATH Choice, Level 300+ | 2-3 | MATH 492 or MATH Choice, Level 300+ | 2-3 |
| Arts & Humanitites Choice | 3 | Electives | 9-10 |
| Electives | 6-7 | ||
| 14-16 | 14-16 | ||
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. diversity and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html for a list of approved courses. These courses may be courses that apply to other requirements. Discuss with your adviser how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.
The LAS General Education requirements for Mathematics majors are 12 credits Arts and Humanities, 8 credits Natural Science, and 9 credits Social Science from the approved lists. See https://las.iastate.edu/students/academics/general-education/.
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 300/400 level, and including at least 8 credits in the major at the 300/400 level with grade C or better. Three of the required 45 300+ level credits must be earned in a general educational group outside the group of the major. Students must also meet the LAS foreign-language requirement and complete any unmet admission requirements.
| 1 | Every mathematics major must complete at least one of the following sequences: a. Algebra -- MATH 301 and MATH 302 If you use 301/302 or 414/415, then add an additional MATH Elective (300+). Note that some courses are taught only in fall or only in spring, so plan appropriately. |
| 2 | ENGL 302, 303, 305, 309, 314, or MATH 491 with departmental approval. |
With 5-12 Teacher Certification
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | MATH 166 | 4 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | STAT 201 | 4 |
| MATH 101 | 1 | C I 204 | 3 |
| MATH 165 | 4 | C I 219 | 1 |
| PSYCH 230 | 3 | C I 280L | 0.5 |
| General Education | 6 | General Education | 6 |
| 18 | 18.5 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 201 | 3 | MATH 266 or 267 - Differential Equations | 3-4 |
| MATH 265 | 4 | MATH 317 | 4 |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | C I 333 | 3 |
| C I 202 | 3 | COM S 107 or 207 - Programming | 3 |
| General Education | 4 | General Education | 3 |
| Take Praxis-I by October 1 | 2.5 GPA for Admission to Teacher Ed | ||
| 17 | 16-17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 301 | 3 | MATH 3422 | 4 |
| MATH 341 | 4 | MATH 397 | 3 |
| MATH 435 | 3 | MATH 436 | 3 |
| C I 406 | 3 | C I 280A | 2 |
| Communication Choice1 | 3 | C I 426 | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | C I 395 | 3 |
| 19 | 18 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 414 | 3 | C I 417C | 14 |
| MATH 497 | 3 | ||
| C I 480C | 2 | ||
| SP ED 401 | 3 | ||
| General Education | 4 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. diversity and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html for a list of approved courses. These courses may be courses that apply to other requirements. Discuss with your adviser how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.
The LAS General Education requirements for Mathematics majors are 12 credits Arts and Humanities, 8 credits Natural Science, and 9 credits Social Science from the approved lists. See https://las.iastate.edu/students/academics/general-education/.
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 300/400 level, and including at least 8 credits in the major at the 300/400 level with grade C or better. Three of the required 45 300+ level credits must be earned in a general educational group outside the group of the major. Students must also meet the LAS foreign-language requirement and complete any unmet admission requirements.
Students pursuing licensure to teach grades 5 – 12 must meet the professional teacher education requirements established by the University Teacher Education Program. See http://www.education.iastate.edu/undergraduate-studies/secondary-education/.
| 1 | ENGL 302, 303, 305, 309, 314, or MATH 491 with departmental approval. |
| 2 | Recommended |
Graduate Study
The department offers programs leading to a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree in mathematics or applied mathematics, as well as minor work for students whose major is in another department. The department also offers a program leading to the degree of Master of School Mathematics (M.S.M.).
Students desiring to undertake graduate work leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree should prepare themselves by taking several upper division mathematics courses.
The M.S. degree requires a student to take at least 30 credit hours and to write a creative component or thesis. Additionally, students must pass a comprehensive oral examination over their coursework and their creative component or thesis. See the online Mathematics Graduate Handbook for specific requirements.
The Ph.D. degree requires a student to take 48 credit hours of coursework in addition to research hours, pass written qualifying examinations, pass an oral preliminary exam, and perform an original research project culminating in a dissertation which is defended by an oral exam. Ph.D. candidates must have at least one year of supervised teaching experience. See the on-line Mathematics Graduate Handbook for specific requirements.
The M.S.M. degree is primarily for in-service secondary mathematics teachers. Students desiring to pursue the M.S.M degree should present some undergraduate work in mathematics beyond calculus. Candidates for the M.S.M. degree must write an approved creative component and pass a comprehensive oral examination over their course work and their creative component.