Mar 19, 2024  
Mansfield University 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Mathematics, Bachelor of Science


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Offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Information Science


Mathematics Program’s Mission

The goal of the instructional program in Mathematics is to provide high quality education in mathematics meeting the instructional and professional needs of our students, and to nurture in them an appreciation of mathematics, abstraction, rigor, and justification. Our instructional programs incorporate the standard core topics as well as more specialized areas. Two concentrations are offered, applied mathematics and pure mathematics.

The department seeks to prepare majors and to provide service courses for general education as well as other programs. We aim to prepare our majors both for mathematically related careers in education, government, the private sector, and for graduate studies in mathematics. Our general education mission is to prepare students to effectively use quantitative and symbolic reasoning and analysis in their personal and professional lives, while our service mission to other programs is to provide coherent, effective and efficient courses appropriate to their needs.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Mathematics programs is to continue to maintain the integrity and rigor in our students’ learning in mathematics and to consistently strive to bring new and interesting ideas to our curriculum.

Core Values

The core values guiding the Mathematics concentrations are:

  • Commitment to high-quality undergraduate education and student success.
  • Quality assurance of academic programs.
  • Continuous program improvement through assessment of program educational objectives and student outcomes.
  • Development of new initiatives and curriculum by challenging traditionally accepted ideas.
  • Continued professional development of faculty members and scholarly contributions to the discipline with student participation.
  • Seamless transfer of students through articulation agreements with 2-year community colleges.
  • Building ties to K-12 groups, community colleges, and local industry.
  • Participation in shared governance of departmental affairs.
  • Service to the department, University, community, and discipline.

Goals

The overall goals of all of the mathematics related programs are to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will enable them to:

  • think critically and communicate clearly mathematical concepts and solutions to real-world problems,
  • be prepared for life-long learning,
  • exhibit positive attitudes and values toward the discipline, so that they can contribute to an increasingly complex and dynamic society, and
  • have an appropriate set of professional skills to ensure a productive career.

Core Program Outcomes

The following core program outcomes will be achieved by all students in the B.S. Mathematics degree program, regardless of concentration.

  • Common Mathematics Content Knowledge: Students will gain an understanding and awareness of the key concepts found in the standard subject areas of calculus, logic, set theory, linear algebra, probability and statistics, and the history of mathematics.
  • Proof and Justification: Students will develop the skills necessary to formulate and understand proofs and to provide justification.
  • Abstract reasoning: Students will develop the ability to reason abstractly and rigorously.
  • Technology: Students will develop skills necessary to use technology in doing and learning mathematics.

Program Requirements: Mathematics Major (B.S.): 120 s.h.


Applied Mathematics Concentration


 Applied Mathematics Concentration Outcomes

This concentration places an emphasis on the mathematical tools used in other disciplines.

Students completing the Applied Mathematics concentration will achieve the following in addition to the core outcomes for the B.S. Mathematics degree:

  • Applied Mathematics Content Knowledge:  Students will gain an understanding and awareness of the key concepts found in the application of the subject areas of differential equations, numerical analysis, and operations research.

Applied Mathematics Concentration Courses:

Total Credit Hours: 50


Applied Mathematics - Computer Science Concentration


Additional Program Objective for the Computer Science Concentration:

  • To provide graduates with a thorough comprehension of the key principles of computing and the application of those principles.

Additional Program Learning Outcomes for the Computer Science Concentration:

  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in programming using a high-level language.
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of data structures and algorithms.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of several programming language paradigms.

Computer Science Concentration Courses:

Total Credit Hours: 59


Pure Mathematics Concentration


 Pure Mathematics Concentration Outcomes

This concentration is appropriate for students considering graduate studies in Mathematics.

  • Pure Mathematics Content Knowledge:  Students will gain an understanding and awareness of the key concepts found in the subject areas of geometry, abstract algebra, and real analysis or topology.

Pure Mathematics Concentration Courses

Total Credit Hours: 45


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