School of Mathematical Sciences
Director: Dean E. Allison, Ph.D.
Mathematical Sciences
Mathematics and related areas have been important human endeavors since ancient times. Mathematics is a discipline with its own questions, methods and content. It has also been used as a tool to explain the natural world for centuries. Mathematics, statistics and computer science have become essential to almost every other discipline such as the natural sciences, the social sciences, business, and economics.
The School of Mathematical Sciences has faculty in mathematics, mathematics education, statistics and computer science. We offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in these areas. In addition, courses and minors that we offer can be used as important components of a variety of other programs across the university.
All undergraduate programs require a core of common courses to provide students with a solid foundation in the mathematical sciences. Thereafter, students can choose from three different emphasis areas depending on their educational interests and goals.
Applied Mathematical Sciences Emphasis
Expanded scientific, statistical and mathematical knowledge, combined with growing needs in technological as well as social areas, have created increased demands for individuals trained in applied mathematics. Within this emphasis area, students can choose one of three concentrations.
Applied Computer Science Concentration: One significant application of applied mathematics is in the area of software development. This concentration will allow the student to be better prepared to take a job with a computer software company or jobs involving a significant use of computer technology.
Applied Mathematics Concentration: This concentration focuses on applications of mathematics to real-life problems and includes some supporting computer science and statistics. Graduates are prepared for technical positions in such areas as environmental, governmental, industrial, military, and social settings and for additional graduate study in mathematics and other related disciplines.
Applied Statistics Concentration: This concentration focuses on statistical foundations and their applications to problems in varied disciplines, e.g. business, agriculture, medicine, law, literature, psychology and other social sciences, and on the design and analysis of statistical models in a wide variety of settings. Graduates are prepared for positions involving the design and analysis of statistical models in such areas as environmental, governmental, industrial, military, and social settings and for additional graduate study in the areas of applied statistics and operations research.
Liberal Arts Emphasis
This program permits students to acquire the standard concepts of undergraduate mathematics including calculus, real and complex analysis, differential equations, linear and abstract algebra, discrete mathematics, probability and statistics. Graduates will be prepared to enter a graduate program in mathematics or some other related discipline such as statistics. They may also begin a career in a variety of quantitative settings, including branches of engineering, physical and social science, finance and management, law and medicine.
Secondary Teaching Emphasis
This program prepares students to teach mathematics, such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and mathematical analysis and applications at the secondary school level (grades 7-12).
Students entering this program are expected to have the equivalent of four years of high school mathematics that will enable them to begin a study of calculus; students without these prerequisites may be required to take additional courses in algebra and trigonometry before beginning the calculus sequence.
Graduates of this program are prepared and will be qualified for licensure to teach mathematics in grades 7-12 in the state of Colorado. The program also prepares students for graduate study in mathematics education.
Mathematics B.S. — PTEP
In the secondary PTEP, students must take MED 341 and MED 441.
For admission to PTEP, the student must have:
• completed MATH 131 and MATH 132 with a grade of "C" or better (C- is not acceptable);
• completed at UNC at least two content courses that may count toward the Math major;
• a GPA of at least 2.5 in all content courses taken at UNC that may count toward the major.
For admission to Student Teaching, the student must have:
• satisfactorily completed at least 30 semester hours of content courses that may counted toward the math major, including: MATH 221, MATH 321 and MATH 341;
• satisfactorily completed Phases ONe, Two and Three of the Secondary Teacher Education Program;
• a GPA of at least 2.5 in content courses taken at UNC that may count toward the major.
The GPA in the content courses will be computed by the School of Mathematical Sciences according to procedures approved by the faculty that are in place at the time the student’s application for admission to PTEP, or to student teaching, or for graduation.
Content courses that may count toward the major are those mathematics, statistics and/or computer courses specified in the Catalog as required courses for the major, or as program electives in the major.
It is recommended that student take MED 272, Mathematics Tutoring, for two semesters.
For degree and program requirements, see: