UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
The purpose of the curriculum in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics is to provide a well-rounded program for students majoring in the mathematical sciences, in addition to providing sufficient courses to fulfill the mathematical science needs of students in other fields of study. To this end, the department emphasizes excellence in teaching, and encourages the professional growth of its faculty through study, research, and consulting.

The department offers a major in mathematics, a major in statistics as well as minors in each of these disciplines.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS
The core of the mathematical requirements for this major provides the student with a balanced program of undergraduate mathematics, with emphasis in areas that have proven applications. Depending upon the electives and the minor that are selected, the curriculum can be used as a preparation for employment in positions using mathematics in government, industry, or commerce, or as a preparation for graduate study in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or operations research. Alternatively, a degree in mathematics can be regarded as the core of a liberal education, either for its own sake, or as a preparation for study in other areas. The specific program of study - including the selection of a minor and the various elective courses - which best suits the student's educational goals should be planned in consultation with the student's advisor.

The requirements for the major are MA 125, MA 126, MA 227, MA 237, MA 238, MA 316, MA 334, MA 335 and MA 413 and four courses selected from MA 311, MA 332, MA 354, MA 367, MA 414, MA 434, MA 436, MA 437, MA 451, MA 458, and ST 470, at least two of which must be at the 400 level.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN MATHEMATICS
The requirements for a minor in mathematics are MA 125, MA 126, and either MA 237 or MA 318 but not both, plus three additional courses from the following two groups, at least one from each group.

Group 1. MA 227, MA 238, MA 332, MA 334, MA 335, MA 354, MA 436, MA 437, either ST 315 or ST 320 but not both.

Group 2. MA 267, MA 311, MA 316, MA 320, MA 367, MA 413, MA 414, MA 434, MA 451, MA 458.

At least two of the courses chosen for the minor must be 300 level or higher.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN STATISTICS
The major is designed to prepare students for (1) graduate study in statistics or other related quantitative disciplines, and (2) employment in business, industry, or government. Statistics, the science of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, is a primary tool in research and application in all quantitative fields including medicine, psychology, economics, marketing, manufacturing, etc. A brochure describing this B.S. program is available upon request.

The requirements for a major are: ST 310 (or ST 315 or ST 320), ST 335, ST 340, ST 425, MA 451, ST 470, ST 480 and 4 courses selected from ST 345, ST 350, ST 355, ST 415, ST 450, ST 460, and ST 550. A maximum of 1 statistics oriented course from other disciplines may be counted toward this requirement with the approval of the department chair. One course in technical writing is required.

A knowledge of calculus and matrix (or linear) algebra (MA 125, MA 126, MA 227 and MA 318 or MA 237) are necessary.

Statistics majors are encouraged to minor in an area of application (e.g., computer and information science, business, engineering, health sciences, social or natural sciences, etc.) which will enhance future educational development and will provide for increased employment opportunities.

Those majors intending to pursue graduate study in statistics should take additional courses in mathematics, especially the advanced calculus sequence (MA 334 and MA 335) and a scientific programming language.

Majors are strongly advised to work closely with their faculty advisor pursuant to their individual educational and employment goals.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN APPLIED STATISTICS
The requirements for a minor in applied statistics consist of a minimum of 18 credit hours chosen as follows:

1. ST 210, ST 310, ST 335 and ST 340 (ST 315 or ST 320 can be taken to satisfy ST 210 and ST 310 requirement, but will not earn six hours of credit toward satisfying the minor requirement).

2. At least two courses selected from: ST 345, ST 350, ST 355, ST 415, ST 450, ST 460, MA 451, and ST 550. A maximum of one statistics oriented course from other disciplines may be counted toward this requirement with the approval from the department chair.

Where to Begin in the Mathematics Courses
Students must begin at the proper level and in the proper track in mathematics. Students will be provided with placement information based on the placement test, ACT/SAT scores, and high school mathematics background.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Students are admitted each quarter. The following criteria supplement the Graduate School criteria (see Categories of Admission).

REGULAR ADMISSION

1. A bachelor's degree in mathematics or in a mathematics-related field from an accredited institution of higher education with a concentration of upper-level mathematics courses including a sequence in advanced calculus or real analysis.

2. Submission of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination. Normally a minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections or a minimum score of 600 on the quantitative section (without regard to the score on the verbal section). An advanced degree or other standardized test score may be considered in lieu of a GRE score.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION
Applicants who do not meet all requirements for regular admission, but who do meet the Graduate School requirements for provisional admission, will be considered for provisional admission. Applicants must have an undergraduate major in mathematics or a closely related field with a concentration of upper-level mathematics courses. Applicants who are deficient in their undergraduate preparation may be denied admission or may be required to take undergraduate courses in the areas of deficiency without graduate credit in addition to the normal degree requirements listed below.

NON-DEGREE ADMISSION
Applicants who do not meet all the conditions for provisional admission or who are not interested in earning a graduate degree may apply for non-degree admission. Adequate undergraduate preparation in mathematics which indicates a reasonable chance of success in graduate mathematics courses is required for non-degree admission. After admission, permission of the department graduate coordinator is required for each course taken. In cases where undergraduate preparation is inadequate for a particular graduate course, a plan of study including additional undergraduate courses can be worked out in consultation with the graduate coordinator.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Graduate students holding assistantships are usually assigned duties such as tutoring in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Awards are normally made for the academic year, but positions occasionally become available during the year. An assistantship application can be obtained from the Graduate Coordinator in the Department. Three letters of recommendation sent directly to the Graduate Coordinator are required. Graduate Assistants are required to enroll in MA 592 (Seminar) each semester.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE
Several degree options are available. Only graduate courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Computer and Information Science courses CIS 522, 524, 526, 550, 552, and 556 (for the computer science emphasis option), and SED 563 (for teaching certification option) satisfy the degree requirements of this program. MA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 507, 508, ST 540, and 541 do not satisfy degree requirements except as stated below. For the purpose of describing degree requirements, graduate courses in mathematics are divided into two groups:

Group I: MA 511, 512, 515, 516, 518, 519, 521, 525, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 542, and 543.

Group II: MA 521, 525, 550, 551, 555, 556, 565, 567, 568, 571, and 572.

THESIS OPTION

1. A minimum of 32 semester hours of course work including MA 535, 536, and 599.

2. At least two courses selected from Group I other than MA 535 and 536.

3. At least two courses selected from Group II.

4. In addition to MA 535 and 536, at least one two-course sequence must be completed.

5. Complete a thesis. A maximum of six semester hours of credit will be granted for the thesis. A student may not enroll in MA 599 (thesis) until a thesis prospectus has been approved by the Graduate Coordinator and the Director of Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.

6. Complete a comprehensive examination covering a collection of course work specified by the Graduate Coordinator.

7. Complete MA 592 (Seminar) during at least two semesters.

NON-THESIS OPTION

COMPUTER SCIENCE EMPHASIS (NON-THESIS)

1. A minimum of 23 semester hours of Mathematics courses including MA 535 and 536 and a minimum of nine semester hours of Computer and Information Science courses approved by the Mathematics Graduate Committee.

2. MA 521 or 525.

3. At least two courses selected from Group I in addition to MA 535, 536 and the course satisfying 2.

4. At least one course selected from Group II.

5. At least three courses in Computer Science approved by the Mathematics Graduate Committee.

6. Complete a comprehensive examination covering a collection of courses specified by the Graduate Coordinator.

7. Complete MA 592 (Seminar) during at least two semesters.

M.S. IN MATHEMATICS WITH ALABAMA CLASS A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING CERTIFICATION (NON-THESIS)
This option is available for students holding a Class B Professional Certification in Education. The curriculum consists of 33 semester hours of course work. Upon completion of the program, the M.S. degree in Mathematics is awarded by the University and the Class A Professional Certification is awarded by the State Department of Education.

1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of Mathematics course work with at least 21 hours in Mathematics courses numbered 510 or higher.

2. At least two courses selected from Group I other than MA 535 and 536.

3. At least two courses selected from Group II.

4. In addition to MA 535 and 536, at least one two-course sequence must be completed.

5. Complete a comprehensive examination covering a collection of course work specified by the Graduate Coordinator.

6. No more than four courses from MA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 and SED 563 may be counted toward the degree.

7. Students with no previous work in Special Education are required to take SPE 500. This course may not be counted toward the required 33 semester hours of course work for the degree.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Detailed descriptions of special department requirements are contained in the document "Department Policies and Procedures for the M.S. Degree Program in Mathematics" which is available from the department office. This document contains details concerning advising, the comprehensive examination, graduate assistant duties, student meetings and colloquia.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL MATHEMATICS (MA) COURSES

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL STATISTICS (ST) COURSES