| DEPARTMENT OF
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS Chair:
Michael Windham
Graduate Coordinator: Daniel Silver
Mathematics
Professors: Carter, Crossley, Flath, Hitt, Silver, Vinson, Williams, Windham
Associate Professors: Barrionuevo, Cruthirds, Dodd, McGill, Pillen, Zhang
Assistant Professors: Brick, Pickett
Instructor: Crumb
Statistics
Professors: Mishra, Rainosek, Shah, Windham
Associate Professors: Bhaumik, Kulkarni, Mulekar
Assistant Professor: Carpenter
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 excellent in
teaching, and encourages the professional growth of its faculty through study, research,
and consulting.
The department offers a major leading to the Bachelor of
Science Degree in Mathematics and Statistics. We also offer a minor in mathematics and a
minor in applied statistics.
MATHEMATICS AND
STATISTICS MAJOR
The core of the requirements in the Department for this major provides the student with a
balanced program of undergraduate mathematics and statistics in areas that have proven
applications. The program is designed to produce a person that is employable based on good
inductive and deductive inferential problem formulating and solving, and communication
skills.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
MAJOR ARE:
- Introductory courses: Calculus
(MA 125, 126), Statistics (ST 310, 315 or 320)
- Intermediate courses:
Multivariable Calculus (MA 227), Linear Algebra (MA 237)
- Quantitative modeling courses:
Differential Equations (MA 238) and Regression (ST 335) followed by Quantitative Modeling
(MA 354)
- Upper division courses: 18 hours
of 300 level or above courses in mathematics or statistics in addition to those specified
in other categories, including at least three courses at the 400 level or above.
- The program also requires an approved minor ideally
developing an area where the quantitative experiences obtained in the major would be
applicable.
- The modeling component is the cornerstone of the program.
It is designed to give the student the ability to formulate, build, analyze and implement
mathematical models.
- The differential equations course will introduce
mathematical modeling using "first" principles.
- The regression course will introduce the inductive, data
based aspects of modeling and the analysis of models.
- The quantitative modeling course will put these two
together to develop the whole modeling process through a small number of major projects.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A
MINOR IN MATHEMATICS
The requirements for a minor in mathematics are MA 125, 126 and either MA 237 or 318 but
not both, plus three additional courses from the following two groups, at least one from
each group.
Group 1: MA 227, 238, 332, 334, 335, 354, 436, 437, either
ST 315 or 320 but not both.
Group 2: MA 267, 311, 316, 320, 367, 413, 414, 434, 451,
458.
At least two of the courses chosen for the minor must be
300 level or higher.
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:
- ST 210, 310, 335 and 340 (ST 315 or 320 can be taken to
satisfy ST 210 and 310 requirement, but will not earn six hours of credit toward
satisfying the minor requirement).
- At least two courses selected from: ST 345, 350, 355, 415,
450, 460, 550 and MA 451. 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.
Note: To Avoid Duplication:
- Credit for both MA 112 and 115 is not allowed.
- Credit for both MA 113 and 115 is not allowed.
- Credit for both MA 120 and 125 is not allowed.
- Students may receive credit for only one of the
following: ST 310, 315 or 320.
GRADUATE STUDIES
A Master of Science degree in Mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics and
Statistics. The program has been designed to meet the varied needs and goals of most
students seeking advanced degrees in mathematics. The course of study is sufficiently
flexible to accommodate students interested in traditional and modern mathematics, applied
mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Additionally, there is a program available
for students who are seeking Class A Professional Teacher Certification. Undergraduate
preparation in mathematics is required for the program.
REQUIREMENTS FOR
ADMISSION
Students are admitted each semester. The following criteria supplement the Graduate School
criteria (see Categories of Admission).
REGULAR ADMISSION
- 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.
- 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 1: MA 511, 512, 515, 516, 518, 519, 521, 525, 535,
536, 537, 538, 539, 542 and 543.
Group 2: MA 521, 525, 550, 551, 555, 556, 565, 567, 568,
571 and 572.
THESIS OPTION
- A minimum of 32 semester hours of course work including MA
535, 536 and 599.
- At least two courses selected from Group 1 other than MA
535 and 536.
- At least two courses selected from Group 2.
- In additional to MA 535 and 536, at least one two-course
sequence must be completed.
- 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.
- Complete a comprehensive examination covering a collection
of course work specified by the Graduate Coordinator.
- Complete MA 592 (Seminar) during at least two semesters.
NON-THESIS OPTION
- A minimum of 32 hours of course work including MA 535 and
536.
- At least three courses selected from Group 1 other than MA
535 and 536.
- At least three courses selected from Group 2.
- In addition to MA 535 and 536, at least one two-course
sequence must be completed.
- Complete a comprehensive examination covering a collection
of course work specified by the Graduate Coordinator.
- Complete MA 592 (Seminar) during at least two semesters.
COMPUTER SCIENCE EMPHASIS
(NON-THESIS)
- 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.
- MA 521 or 525.
- At least two courses selected from Group 1 in addition to
MA 535, 536 and the course satisfying 2.
- At least one course selected from Group 2.
- At least three courses in Computer Science approved by the
Mathematics Graduate Committee.
- Complete a comprehensive examination covering a collection
of courses specified by the Graduate Coordinator.
- 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.
- A minimum of 30 semester hours of Mathematics course work
with at least 21 hours in Mathematics courses numbered 510 or higher.
- At least two courses selected from Group 1 and other than
MA 535 and 536.
- At least two courses selected from Group 2.
- In addition to MA 535 and 536, at least one two-course
sequence must be completed.
- Complete a comprehensive examination covering a collection
of course work specified by the Graduate Coordinator.
- No more than four courses from MA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505
and SED 563 may be counted toward the degree.
- 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
College
of Arts and Sciences
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