Mathematical Sciences Major (B.S.)

Program objectives for a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences are to: (a) understand the notion of a real valued function; (b) understand the concept of differentiation and be able to apply the rules of differentiation to functions of one real variable. Be able to use these techniques to solve problems in optimization; (c) understand the use of vector analysis to describe the geometry of higher dimensional spaces; (d) understand how to extend the concepts of the calculus of functions of one variable to higher dimensions; (e) use matrices to solve systems of linear equations and to describe linear transformations; (f) understand abstract structures in mathematics; (g) be able to read and present mathematical proofs including an understanding of the basic types of proofs; (h) be able to formulate their own proofs of simple mathematical statements; (i) be able to use a computer to assist with the solution of mathematical problems; (j) Have advanced knowledge of at least one specialist area of mathematics.

University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University  for the University General Education Program requirements.

Note: The following requirements are general education courses that are required for the Mathematical Science Major.:

The Major (41-42 hours in addition to University General Education Program)

Major Core (17 hours):

Completion of

• MATH 1910 - Calculus I ** Credit Hours: (4) (this course is included in the University General Education Program requirements)
• MATH 1920 - Calculus II** Credit Hours: (4)
• MATH 2110 - Calculus III** Credit Hours: (4)
• MATH 2702 - Intro Proof/Fundamental Math Credit Hours: (3)
• MATH 2120 - Differential Equations** Credit Hours: (3)
• MATH 3242 - Intro Linear Algebra Credit Hours: (3)

Note:

All approved programs will include no more than 9 semester hours chosen from MATH 4607 , MATH 4635 , MATH 4636 , MATH 4637 , MATH 4640 .

Additional Course (3 hours):

Each major must take one additional upper division MATH course.

Accelerated BS/MS Degree Program, with concentrations in Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, and Statistics

This program allows outstanding undergraduates to complete both a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences and a Master of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences with concentration in Applied Mathematics, Mathematics or Statistics. Students admitted into the program will follow a carefully designed program of study which allows them to begin course work for the Master of Science program during their senior year. Interested students are encouraged to consult with their undergraduate advisor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and to begin planning to enter the accelerated BS/MS degree program early in their undergraduate career. Through careful coordination with their undergraduate and graduate advisors students will be able to graduate with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree within a five year period.

To apply, students must have finished 18 credit hours of course work in mathematics by the end of the semester of their application. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale) as well as a GPA of 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale) in their mathematics courses. The initial application for the accelerated BS/MS degree program consists of the following two parts:

1. A letter of intent including two letters of reference and a copy of the applicant’s transcript to be submitted to the Department of Mathematical Sciences
2. Application with the Graduate School for “combination senior” status

To continue in the program beyond the bachelor’s degree, students must also apply for full admission into the Graduate School and be accepted into the master’s program by the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Up to 12 hours of graduate course work may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Details on courses that can be applied will be available in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. However, any graduate course work will not be used to calculate the undergraduate GPA.

Mathematical Sciences Electives (21-22 hours)

21 hours of upper division MATH courses except as noted below. A list of suggested programs can be found here.

NOTE: The following courses do not count towards the Mathematical Sciences major: MATH 4050, MATH 4051, MATH 4080, MATH 4081, MATH 4082, and MATH 4611 

Alternatively, students may choose from the following concentrations.

• Mathematical Sciences - Statistics Concentration, (B.S.)   (21 hours)
• Mathematical Sciences - Data Science Concentration, (B.S.)  (22 hours)

Electives must be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

Honors Program

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers an honors program in Mathematics and Statistics for the talented student. To be admitted into the program, an entering freshman must score at least 29 on the Math ACT, and have a high-school GPA of 3.50, although exceptions may be made by the freshman’s advisor, based upon an interview at the time of initial registration.

Currently enrolled students may be admitted into the Honors Program upon an interview with the Departmental Honors Director.  The basic requirements will be a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 in their MATH courses, an inclusive GPA of at least 3.25, and timely progress toward a degree. Such students may be admitted into MATH 1421 , MATH 2421 , or MATH 2422 . Upon completion of the entry course with a grade of at least B, such students will retroactively receive credit for any previous course(s) in the Honors Sequence. A student may not enroll in MATH 3402  without having previously completed MATH 2422 .

The successful candidate will complete the Major Core as listed above, and complete one of the Areas of Concentration listed above, with the following exceptions and additions:

• In place of MATH 1910 , MATH 1920 , MATH 2110  and MATH 3242 , the Honors student must complete the four-course sequence of Honors Mathematics courses (MATH 1421 , MATH 2421 , MATH 2422  and MATH 3402 ), and two semesters of the Mathematics Honors Seminar, MATH 3410  and MATH 3411 .
• Upon successful completion of the courses listed above, the student shall be considered to have completed MATH 3242 , and MATH 2120  for prerequisite and graduation purposes.
• The Honors student must take MATH 4402 - Honors Thesis Seminar .
• Each of MATH 1421 , MATH 2421 , MATH 2422 , MATH 3402 , MATH 3410 , MATH 3411 , MATH 4402  must be completed with at least a grade of B.
• A GPA of 3.50 in all MATH courses must be maintained.

Upon completion of the program, the successful candidates will be recognized at the commencement ceremony by having their degrees conferred “With Honors in Mathematical Sciences,” and their diplomas and records at the University of Memphis will reflect this distinction.

Typical 4-Year Mathematics Major Sequence

Total Hours: 120

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

**Courses offered only online or both online and on-ground

⁺Choose one Natural Science sequence: CHEM 1110 /CHEM 1111  and CHEM 1120 /CHEM 1121  , OR PHYS 2110 /PHYS 2111  and PHYS 2120 /PHYS 2121 .