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College of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide

Mathematics

Egon Schulte, PhD, Professor and Acting Chair

Professors Samuel J. Blank, PhD Bohumil Cenkl, ScD Stanley J. Eigen, PhD Terence J. Gaffney, PhD Maurice E. Gilmore, PhD Arshag B. Hajian, PhD Anthony Iarrobino, PhD Venkatrama Lakshmibai, PhD Marc N. Levine, PhD Mikhail Malioutov, PhD Robert C. McOwen, PhD Jayant M. Shah, PhD Mikhail Shubin, PhD Gabriel Stolzenberg, PhD Alexandru I. Suciu, PhD Chuu-Lian Terng, PhD Jerzy M. Weyman, PhD Andrei V. Zelevinsky, PhD Lecturers Robert A. Lupi, MS Peter J. Philliou, MS Steven W. Olson, ME Professors Emeriti Holland C. Filgo, PhD Alberto R. Galmarino, PhD Jack Warga, PhD

Associate Professors Mark Bridger, PhD Robert W. Case, PhD John N. Frampton, PhD Eugene H. Gover, PhD Samuel Gutmann, PhD Solomon M. Jekel, PhD Christopher K. King, PhD Donald R. King, PhD Nishan Krikorian, PhD Alex Martsinkovsky, PhD David Massey, PhD Mark B. Ramras, PhD Martin Schwarz, PhD Thomas O. Sherman, PhD Gordana G. Todorov, PhD Assistant Professors Aidong Adam Ding, PhD Maxim Braverman, PhD Clinical Assistant Professor of Mathematical Practice Carla B. Oblas, MS

Mathematics is of ever-increasing importance to our society and everyday life. It has long been the language of science and technology, and provides a rich source of methods for analyzing and solving problems encountered in the physical world. Today, mathematics is essential in virtually all fields of human endeavor, including business, the arts, and the social sciences.

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires at least thirteen mathematics courses and three physics courses, in addition to the study of a foreign language; it is appropriate for students who wish a broader liberal arts education. The Bachelor of Science degree requires at least sixteen mathematics courses and three physics courses but no foreign language study; it is more specialized, and it is recommended for those strongly interested in mathematics and science. The department also offers a minor degree in mathematics.

The major programs provide flexibility with elective courses. Students may take advantage of a range of interdisciplinary programs and may join a major in mathematics with one in such fields as computer science, physics, engineering (six different majors), chemistry, biology, and economics.

Exceptional students are accepted in the honors program, and have the option to enroll in honors sections of several of their mathematics courses. All math majors may benefit from co-op opportunities in the scientific business in Boston and elsewhere. Almost every job involves mathematically stimulating work that enables students to find out how math is used in the world around us.

The increasing use of computers in calculus and other mathematics courses gives students significant computer experience. The Mathematics Computer Center, completed in early 1993, is the nucleus of a ³mathematical culture² at Northeastern that links students to applications via computer.

Students planning to teach secondary-school mathematics must major in mathematics and take a specific minor in education, which includes course work and student teaching.

Mathematical training may lead to opportunities in applied research (natural sciences, engineering, economics, management, computer science) as well as in mathematical research, teaching, or industry.

See course descriptions for more information.

Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

MTH 1140, MTH 1141, MTH 1142, Calculus 1, 2, and 3; MTH 1170, Mathematical Discovery and Computers; MTH 1243, MTH 1244, Calculus 4 and 5 or MTH 1230, Linear Algebra for Engineers; MTH 1238, Combinatorial Mathematics; MTH 1301, Linear Algebra; MTH 1387, Prbability 1; MTH 1311, Analysis 1; and four approved mathematics electives selected in consultation with an adviser. PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Students may satisfy the arts and sciences experiential education requirement by taking MTH 1360, Seminar in Applied Mathematics; MTH 1395, Actuarial Practice; ED 1417, Student Teaching Practicum and Seminar or MTH 1888, Experiential Education Directed Study. (These mathematics courses may also count as mathematics electives.).

Bachelor of Science Curriculum

MTH 1140, MTH 1141, MTH 1142, Calculus 1, 2, and 3; MTH 1170, Mathematical Discovery and Computers; MTH 1243, MTH 1244, Calculus 4 and 5 or MTH 1230, Linear Algebra for Engineers; MTH 1238, Combinatorial Mathematics; MTH 1301, Linear Algebra; MTH 1311, Analysis 1; MTH 1387, Probability 1; and eight approved mathematics electives selected on the basis of the student's professional track: (1) industry, (2) education, or (3) pure math. Consult with an adviser. PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Students may satisfy the arts and sciences experiential education requirement by taking MTH 1360, Seminar in Applied Mathematics; MTH 1395, Actuarial Practice; ED 1417, Student Teaching Practicum and Seminar or MTH 1888, Experiential Education Directed Study. (These mathematics courses may also count as mathematics electives.).

Minor Curriculum

Eight math courses, of which the following four are required: three courses in calculus (MTH 1140, MTH 1141, MTH 1142, or equivalent); and MTH 1238, Combinatorial Mathematics. (MTH 1137 and MTH 1237 together are permitted to substitute for MTH 1238. If this option is elected, then nine courses are required for the minor.) The remaining four courses are selected with the assistance of a departmental adviser: (a) two must be selected from MTH 1200 or higher courses, e.g., MTH 1225, MTH 1226, MTH 1230, or MTH 1384 (these two courses may be required by the student's major program); (b) the other two must be selected from MTH 1301­1399 and may not be among those required by the student's major program (MTH 1384 cannot be counted by many engineering majors and MTH 1301 cannot be counted by computer science majors; MTH 1301 cannot be counted at all if MTH 1230 is already counted in "a," above).

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