degree requirements

BACHELOR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The department offers three bachelors degrees. In statistics, the Bachelor of Science degree stresses both the theoretical and the applied sides of the subject and is one of the few undergraduate statistics programs in the country. In addition to extensive course work in statistics, the student is exposed to computer science, ethics (relevant to decisions that statisticians must make on the job), and advanced writing (obviously a useful skill). There is also the requirement of a concentrated study (16 credits) in some field to which statistics can be applied, such as computer science, engineering, a science, economics, psychology, or another subject of the student's interest. In mathematics, we offer a basic Bachelor of Arts degree and a more rigorous Bachelor of Science degree. (There is no universal meaning assigned to these names, which date back hundreds of years. Different schools use them to mean different things, such as whether one has studied a foreign language. In our department we have chosen to offer an expanded program under the B.S. label, one requiring two additional mathematical sciences courses, one additional computer science course, and a more in-depth study of a field to which mathematics can be applied.) In addition, a degree in Actuarial Science is under development.

Many students, both current undergraduates and those who already hold a bachelor's degree in some subject (not necessarily mathematics), wish to pursue a program leading to secondary teaching certification in mathematics. Further information on this program (OU STEP) is given below.

Briefly, the requirements for the B.A. degree in mathematics are:

MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 254 (a three term calculus sequence)
MTH 275 (Linear Algebra -- the 1-credit lab, MTH 266, is recommended as well), STA 226 (Applied Statistics)
MTH 302 (Introduction to Advanced Mathematical Thinking)
MTH 452 (Advanced Calculus I), MTH 475 (Modern Algebra)
Three electives selected from APM 255, APM 263, MOR 242, and 300-400 level APM, MOR, STA, or MTH courses excluding APM 407 and MTH 497
EGR 141 (Computer Problem Solving in Engineering and Computer Science), or CSE 130 (Introduction to Computer Programming)
Two additional 3- or 4-credit courses in science, engineering, or computer science

The more rigorous requirements for the B.S. degree in mathematics are, briefly:

MTH 154-155-254 (a three term calculus sequence)
MTH 275 (Linear Algebra -- the 1-credit lab, MTH 266, is recommended as well), STA 226 (Applied Statistics)
MTH 302 (Introduction to Advanced Mathematical Thinking)
MTH 452-453 (Advanced Calculus I and II), MTH 475 (Modern Algebra)
Four electives selected from APM 255, APM 263, MOR 242, and 300-400 level APM, MOR, STA, or MTH courses excluding APM 407 and MTH 497
EGR 141 (Computer Problem Solving in Engineering and Computer Science) and CSE 230 (Object-Oriented Computing I)
Three additional 3- or 4-credit courses in an area related to mathematics

The requirements for the B.S. degree in applied statistics are, briefly:

STA 226 (an introductory course), 322 (regression), 427-428 (mathematical statistics), and 12 credits chosen from STA courses numbered above 300 (but not including STA 501-502)
MTH 154-155-254 (calculus), 275 (linear algebra -- the 1-credit lab, MTH 266, is recommended as well), and one more course chosen from APM 255, 263, 332, 433, 434, MTH 452, or MOR 242, 454, 455, 456
EGR 141 (Computer Problem Solving in Engineering and Computer Science), or CSE 130 (Introduction to Computer Programming)
a course in ethics from the Department of Philosophy
ENG 380, 381, or 382 (an advanced writing course)
Sixteen credits in a single area outside the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to which statistics could be applied. The 16 credits must include at least one course that is quantitatively oriented. The rest of the 16 credits could come from prerequisite courses or any related courses. These 16 credits must be approved in advance by a Department adviser. The courses need not be in a single department, but the total package should constitute a substantive examination of a single area.

Briefly, the requirements for a degree in mathematics with secondary certification are:

The B.A. or B.S. mathematics requirements, in which APM 263, MTH 462, and MTH 414 are included
A certifiable teaching minor (in lieu of the additional courses outside the department)
Education courses and internship: SED 300, FE 345, RDG 538, SED 427, SED 428, SED 455, and SE 501. Usually SED 300 is taken during the junior year, and SED 427, FE 345, and RDG 338 are taken during the winter semester (or spring or summer) of the senior year. The remaining courses comprise the internship year.
Acceptance into the Seondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) on the basis of grades, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and other criteria (see also this list of frequently asked questions about the program)

For all degrees, there are additional University and College requirements. Consult the catalog and the Department adviser for details. Click here for checklists for these degrees, showing each required course in a box, with prerequisites indicated by arrows.

Here are some sample schedules for students in the various programs. The courses are listed for illustration only and are not meant to be recommendations. These samples assume the pre-2005 University General Education requirements; modifications will be needed to meet the newer requirements. Specific courses at the 300-400 level may not be offered every semester -- check with the Department adviser for schedule planning.

Sample Schedules


                                  BA         BA-Ed      BS Math     BS Stat

Freshman        Fall            MTH 154     MTH 154     MTH 154     MTH 141
                                EGR 141     EGR 141     EGR 141     RHT 150
                                RHT 150     RHT 150     RHT 150     BIO 111+116
                                SPN 114     SPN 114     GRM 114     FRH 114 

                Winter          MTH 155     MTH 155     MTH 155     MTH 154
                                CSE 230     HST 114     CSE 230     STA 226
                                RHT 160     RHT 160     RHT 160     RHT 160
                                SPN 115     SPN 115     GRM 115     FRH 115

Sophomore       Fall            MTH 254     MTH 254     MTH 254     MTH 155
                                PHY 151     PHY 151     APM 263     STA 322
                                PHL 107     HST 115     EGR 240     ENG 105
                                PSY 100     PSY 100     PHL 101     EGR 141

                Winter          MTH 275     MTH 275     APM 255     MTH 254
                                APM 263     APM 263     MTH 275     STA 323
                                PHY 152     PHY 152     MUS 100     PHL 103
                                IS  230     IS  230     PHL 107     CHM 104

Junior          Fall            MTH 302     MTH 302     MTH 302     MTH 275
                                STA 226     STA 226     STA 226     STA 324
                                AN  300     ENG 100     CSE 231     BIO 113
                                ECN 150     HST 302     PHY 151     PHL 329

                Winter          MTH 475     MTH 475     MTH 475     APM 263
                                ENG 100     SED 300     APM 434     STA 405
                                AH  101     HST 261     BIO 111     MUS 100
                                CHM 157     AH  101     HST 214     CHM 201

Senior          Fall            MTH 452     MTH 452     MTH 452     STA 427
                                MTH 462     MTH 462     MOR 242     PS 100
                                ENG 306     HST 335     CSE 361     BIO 321
                                MUS 250     ENG 306     ENG 105     IS 240

                Winter          APM 463     HST 360     MTH 453     STA 428
                                MTH 414     MTH 414     AN  102     ENG 380
                                HST 115     FE  345     IS  210     BIO 423
                                HST 210     SED 427     ECN 150
                                            RDG 538 (spring or summer)

"Fifth year"                               Internship

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Last updated: August 24, 2006. Send comments or corrections to Professor Grossman