Mathematical Sciences

M. Karls, Chairperson

bsu.edu/math

By focusing on strong analytical and quantitative skills, the mathematical sciences programs prepare students for professional positions in a variety of areas. The department offers majors in actuarial science, mathematics, and mathematics teaching. In conjunction with the Department of Economics, the department offers a major in mathematical economics. For information on the major in mathematical economics, see Interdepartmental Programs. The department minor in mathematics is open only to non-departmental majors. The minor in foundations of business for actuarial science and mathematics majors is open only to departmental majors.

The major in actuarial science provides students with the mathematics and business education necessary to enter the actuarial profession and prepares students for the professional actuarial exams. Actuaries apply the theory of probability and statistics along with the principles of finance to analyze and solve problems in insurance, pension plans, social security issues, and related fields.

The mathematics teaching major satisfies state licensure requirements for students preparing to teach mathematics in junior high/middle school and high school. Concentrations for this major are middle school and secondary school. Elementary education majors may choose mathematics as their area of concentration. Elementary education majors may also earn additional licensure to teach mathematics in junior high/middle school.

The mathematics major offers students concentrations for specialization in two areas: mathematics and applied mathematics. These programs prepare students for professional positions in business, industry, and government, as well as graduate work in mathematics or related fields, including engineering, law, or medicine.

Students wishing to declare two majors within the Department of Mathematical Sciences may do so provided they have at least 20 semester credits that are counted toward the second major not also being used as credit toward the first major. 

Unless otherwise noted, all students enrolling in courses in the Department of Mathematical Sciences are expected to have completed at least three years of college preparatory mathematics in high school, including two years of algebra and one year of geometry. To begin all programs (except for the concentration in mathematics for elementary education majors), it is expected that students will have completed high school mathematics courses equivalent to the prerequisite for MATH 165.

For majors or minors in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, a grade of C- or better must be earned in each course serving as a prerequisite for other courses applied to meet program requirements and a grade of C or better must be earned for each professional education course. For graduation, a grade-point average of at least 2.5 is required in a major or minor program.