Overview
The Department offers a B.S. in Mathematics with three distinct tracks:
- Pure: for students bound for graduate school in mathematics and for future teachers
- Applied: for students bound for an industry career right after graduation, or for students interested in advanced studies in other sciences
- Computer Science: for students interested in scientific computation or graduate school in computer science
Each track within our major begins with a foundational course (Math 103: Intro to Upper Division Math) and ends with a capstone project (Math 193: Senior Seminar).
We also offer minors in both Mathematics and Computer Science. In addition, double and split majors with other disciplines are possible.
General Major Requirements
A student wishing to major in Mathematics should have a strong interest in the field and, normally, a background of four years of high school mathematics (at least two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one year of pre-calculus).
A major consists of four lower-division and ten upper-division Math/CS courses. In addition to the Math/CS requirements, a candidate for the B.S. degree must complete either Physics 1/2 and 3/4 or Chemistry 8/9 and 10/11.
Minor Requirements
The minor in Mathematics requires Math 27 (Calculus I), Math 28 or 38 (Calculus II), Math 103 (Intro to Upper Division Math), and two additional upper-division Math courses. Math 39 (Calculus III) and Math 120 (Linear Algebra) are recommended.
The minor in Computer Science requires Math 27 (Calculus I), Math 28 or Math 38 (Calculus II), Math 140 (Combinatorics and Discrete Math), CS 21 (Intro to Programming), CS 174 (Analysis of Algorithms), and two additional upper-division CS courses. The Computer Science minor is not available for Mathematics majors.
Pure Track
The pure track represents a traditional mathematics curriculum and is ideal for a student considering graduate school in mathematics (or a closely related science) or planning a career in high school mathematics teaching.
Lower Division Requirements
Math 27 (Calculus I), 38 (Calculus II), 39 (Calculus III), and CS 21 (Intro to Programming).
Upper Division Requirements
A total of ten upper-division courses must be completed in the following way:
- Required upper-division:
- Math 103: Introduction to Upper-Division Math
- Math 120: Linear Algebra
- Math 111: Abstract Algebra
- Math 150: Advanced Calculus
- Math 193: Senior Seminar
- Plus two courses from:
- Math 115: Number Theory
- Math 131: Topology
- Math 185: Complex Variables
- Plus three upper-division Math electives
Applied Track
The applied track is designed for students planning on entering the workforce immediately after college. Students in this track will study a wide variety of applications of mathematics in their courses.
Lower Division Requirements
Math 27 (Calculus I), 38 (Calculus II), 39 (Calculus III), and CS 21 (Introduction to Programming).
Upper Division Requirements
A total of nine upper-division courses must be completed in the following way:
- Required upper-division:
- Math 103: Introduction to Upper-Division Math
- Math 120: Linear Algebra
- Math 111: Abstract Algebra or Math 150: Advanced Calculus
- Math 193: Senior Seminar
- Plus three courses from:
- Math 113: Probability and Statistics
- Math 114: Mathematical Modeling
- Math 134: Differential Equations
- CS 174: Analysis of Algorithms
- Plus two upper-division Math electives (at most one of which is a CS course)
Computer Science Track
The computer science track is designed to familiarize students with the principles of computing (especially scientific computing), building on a sound foundation of mathematics. This track is designed for students interested in computational aspects of mathematics, or mathematical aspects of computation (Note: a major in Mathematics with a CS track is not equivalent to a traditional Computer Science major).
Lower Division Requirements
Math 27 (Calculus I), 38 (Calculus II), 39 (Calculus III), and CS 21 (Intro to Programming).
Upper Division Requirements
A total of nine upper-division courses must be completed in the following way:
- Required upper-division:
- CS 174: Analysis of Algorithms
- Math 103: Introduction to Upper-Division Math
- Math 120: Linear Algebra
- Math 140: Combinatorics and Discrete Mathematics
- Math 111: Abstract Algebra or Math 150: Advanced Calculus
- Math 193: Senior Seminar
- Plus three upper-division Math electives (at lease two of which are CS courses)
4+1 Mathematics Secondary Teaching Program
The 4+1 Mathematics Secondary Teacher Program is designed for students who are interested in becoming mathematics teachers at the secondary level while also earning a California teaching credential through the Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) at Saint Mary’s College. Students in this program can also complete a Master’s degree in Education during the fifth year.
Lower Division Requirements
Math 27 (Calculus I), 38 (Calculus II), 39 (Calculus III), and CS 21 (Intro to Programming).
Upper Division Requirements
A total of ten upper-division courses must be completed in the following way:
- Required upper-division:
- Math 103: Intro to Upper-Division Math
- Math 120: Linear Algebra
- Math 111: Abstract Algebra
- Math 150: Advanced Calculus
- Math 113: Probability & Statistics
- Math 115: Number Theory
- Math 131: Topology
- Math 193: Senior Seminar
- Plus two upper-division Math electives
Students in the 4+1 Mathematics Secondary Teacher Program must also satisfactorily complete Math 99 (Math Games), Educ 20 (Intro to the Teaching Profession), Educ 122 (Education Field Experience), and two semesters of tutorial facilitation.
In the fourth year, the students in this program are required to complete four single-subject teaching courses: SSTE 211 (Social & Psychological Foundations), SSTE 254 (Foundations of Literacy, 1/2 credit), SSTE 274 (Universal Access to Education), and SSTE 276 (Health Education, 1/2 credit).
In the fifth year, students complete the teaching credential and a Master of Arts in Teaching, if desired.