Bachelor of Arts
Mathematics

Mathematics at Greenville University

Mathematics at Greenville University prepares students for many different callings. Our emphasis on precise deductive thought, problem solving, careful communication, and work with technology prepares you to move comfortably into many fields. While teaching mathematics and graduate work in mathematics is something many of our graduates pursue, an even greater number head into diverse fields such as telecommunications, computing, medicine, the aerospace industry, statistics, accounting, and actuarial science. Mathematics graduates have also been successful as ministers, professional artists, lawyers, and coaches. One of the advantages of the mathematics program is its flexibility. Double majoring in mathematics and most any other major is possible, leading to even more powerful preparation for what and where you are being called.

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Pursue your purpose

Prepare for work in scientific research, the actuarial field, teaching, the computer industry, and more. Strong math skills also benefit those in business, psychology, and the social sciences.

Alumni success

Graduates of GU’s mathematics program work for companies like Boeing, Caterpillar, EDS, Southwestern Bell, Dow Chemical, American States Insurance, Lockheed-Martin, and more. Many students obtain summer research positions with governmental agencies and universities and accept assistantships in good graduate schools like Iowa State University, the University of Illinois and Mizzou.

Employability

"Our mathematics and mathematics education graduates find jobs. As the department chair for the last 16 years I only know of one graduate who waited longer than 6 months to find employment or enter graduate school."- Dr. George Peters, Department Chair of Mathematics

Why GU

Education for character. Both in the classroom and through interactions outside of it, building character is a high priority for the mathematics program.

Face-to-face. Through small classes and regular office hours, you'll have nearly unlimited access to our well-trained mathematics faculty.

Research opportunities. In mathematics and in the sciences, there are summer undergraduate research opportunities for mathematics majors.

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Success Stories

“Greenville University in general and the mathematics program specifically prepared me to be successful in the world from a career perspective. But even more importantly they prepared me to live a good life, care for others, and sacrifice myself for Christ’s sake."

Program Requirements

Visit the Online Undergraduate Catalog for an explanation of graduation requirements.

The mathematics major leads to a bachelor of arts degree and requires 34 credits of mathematics and computer science courses.

Mathematics, BA Courses

The first course in the regular calculus sequence. Basic techniques of differentiation and integration are covered. Topics from Analytic Geometry are introduced. Meets the general education quantitative reasoning requirement. Prerequisite: MATH 111 or equivalent background. (Offered fall semester.)

Techniques of integration, sequences and series, parametric equations, vector valued functions. Prerequisite: MATH 115. (Offered spring semester.)

The differential and integral calculus of multi-variate functions, line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Divergence Theorem, Stokes' Theorem. Prerequisite: MATH 116. (Offered fall semester.)

First-order differential equations, linear equations, and linear systems, power series solutions, Laplace Transforms. Prerequisite: MATH 116. (Offered fall semester.)

This course is designed to give the mathematics student his or her first serious encounter with mathematical systems. Elements of the theory of vector spaces are developed. The student gains experience in matrix algebra, vectors, and linear transformations. Meets the general education upper division writing intensive requirement. Prerequisite: MATH 115. (Offered spring semester.)

Treatment of probability applied to discrete and continuous distributions; tests of hypotheses; independence and correlation; sampling theory. Prerequisite: MATH 217. (Offered spring semester of even calendar years.)

Includes an introduction to history of mathematics, particularly contributions of Greek scholars; study of Euclid 's elements; transition to Non-Euclidean geometrics developed by Gauss, Bolyai, Lobachevski, and Riemann; history of calculus and mathematical structures. Prerequisite: MATH 217. (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years.)

Provides an experience in the uses of mathematics. Use and development of mathematical models will be considered. Topics will range from applications in the social sciences to physics and engineering. The choice of material will be based on current trends in mathematics applications and on student's needs. Prerequisite: MATH 217, MATH 218 and MASTH 312. (Offered spring semester of even calendar years.)

Introduces basic theory in the numerical solution of mathematical problems. Topics include nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations, interpolating polynomials, numerical differentiation, integration, and solution of differential equations. Prerequisite: CIST 210, MATH 217, MATH 218 and MATH 312. (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years.)

Axiomatic treatment of selected algebraic structures, including rings, integral domains, fields and groups, including an introduction to number theory. Prerequisite: MATH 312. (Offered fall semester of odd calendar years.)

The language, fundamental concepts, and standard theorems of analysis are explored. The student learns to read the literature and investigates applications. Ideas from elementary calculus are revisited. Prerequisite: MATH 217 and MATH 312. (Offered fall semester of even calendar years.)

MATH389 Jr Departmental Honors Research (2 Credits)

Each department offers a practicum or internship course numbered 405. In this course the student applies theories and skills learned in the major. Each experience should include significant learning opportunities related to the student's major field. Two supervisors are involved, a work supervisor and an academic supervisor. Registration must occur prior to the activity. Forty to sixty hours of work experience is required for each credit awarded. The experience may be paid or unpaid. Letter grades will be assigned unless otherwise stated in the departmental description. Students must consult with their academic supervisor at least twice during the experience. A learning experience summary paper following departmental guidelines is required as well as a final interview with the academic supervisor. A maximum of twelve credits may be applied to the degree. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing with a 2.0 G.P.A., 18 semester credits completed in the field and departmental approval.

MATH489 Departmental Honors Research (2 Credits)

MATH490 Departmental Honors Thesis (2 Credits)

Using a modern high-level programming language, this course introduces algorithmic problem solving, basic control structures, basic data structures, and procedural abstraction. Prerequisites: MATH 111 and CIST 140. (Offered fall semester.)

This three hour course is designed to introduce a student to general scientific programming and the MATLAB and Perl programming languages in particular. Standard topics of programming including loops, conditionals, functions, subroutines, strings, input, and output will be covered. Additionally, simple programming using vectors and matrices will be learned. The course material will be applied to solve numerous simple problems and some of moderate complexity as well. Some simple data structures like lists and hashes in Perl will be studied. This class is created to be a substitute for CIS210 for mathematics, matematics education, physics, and physics eeducation majors. Prerequisite: MTH115. CIS140 recommended.

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Bachelor of ArtsMathematics