Mathematical Sciences (MATH)

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The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers the B.S. degree with a major in mathematical sciences with emphases in general mathematical sciences, applied mathematics, computational mathematics, and mathematics education. Students who successfully complete the program and pass the state mandated Teacher Performance Assessment will have completed all required Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards for receiving university recommendation for licensure to teach mathematics at the 9-12 grade levels. Successful completion of the program without receipt of a passing score on the state mandated Teacher Performance Assessment will result in the student receiving a degree without university recommendation for licensure.

The department also offers minors in mathematical sciences and elementary mathematics education. These minors should be of interest to students majoring in the physical or social sciences or in business. In addition, the department offers an honors program in mathematical sciences and participates in the University Honors Program.

Several of the department’s courses fulfill the university quantitative literacy foundational studies requirement, and others can be used by non-majors toward fulfilling the nature and technology knowledge domain requirements in the university’s general education program. In addition, many of its courses are included as requirements for other programs.

Department Regulations

Mathematical sciences majors are not permitted to count courses in computer science (CSCI) toward fulfilling general education area requirements.

Department Requirements

Students majoring or minoring in mathematical sciences must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.00 in those MATH/STAT courses applicable to that major or minor. Courses not applicable to the major or minor are identified in the course descriptions. Some emphases and programs may have a higher GPA requirement; see the appropriate section of the catalog.

All majors are required to have a satisfactory portfolio of work done during their undergraduate studies on file in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The contents of the portfolio are to be used to assess the department’s program and are to be accumulated largely through course work assignments and examinations; students are expected to cooperate with instructors as these items are collected. In addition, each student must submit in his or her senior year a 250-300 word typed essay describing the student’s experience in the major, including comments on the connections of mathematics with other disciplines. Details on the submission of materials and approval of the portfolio should be obtained from the student’s adviser in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Mathematics Placement Examination Policy

Students who plan to take MATH 104 and MATH 105, or MATH 110, MATH 155, MATH 206, MATH 210, MATH 211, or MATH 229, and who do not meet the prerequisite requirements, must take the Mathematics Placement Examination, so they may begin their mathematical studies at the appropriate level.

Proficiency Examination Policy

Ordinarily students will not be allowed to attempt a proficiency examination for a course if they have received credit for a higher numbered course (for exceptions, consult the department).

Mathematical Sciences Faculty

Jeffrey L. Thunder, Ph.D., University of Colorado, professor, chair
Douglas Bowman, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, professor
Jose Yunier Bello Cruz Ph.D., Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics - Brazil, associate professor
Biswa N. Datta, Ph.D., University of Ottawa, Distinguished Research Professor
Sien Deng, Ph.D., University of Washington, professor
Ricela Feliciano-Semidei, Ph.D., University of Montana, assistant professor
Alastair Fletcher, Ph.D., University of Warwick, professor
Michael Geline, Ph.D., University of Chicago, professor
Daniel Grubb, Ph.D., Kansas State University, associate professor
Ilya Krishtal, Ph.D., Voronezh State University, professor
Nathan Krislock Ph.D., University of Waterloo, associate professor
Ying C. Kwong, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, associate professor
Anders Linnér, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, associate professor
Christopher McCord, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, professor
Maya Mincheva, Ph.D., University of Waterloo, professor
Deepak Naidu, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire, associate professor
Rachel Rupnow, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, assistant professor
Mary Shafer, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, associate professor
Gleb Sirotkin, Ph.D., Indiana University/Purdue University, Indianapolis, associate professor

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