9.32. Mathematics

Programs offered:

  • B.S. in Mathematics
  • B.S. in Mathematics — Actuarial Science Track (TU)
  • Minor in Mathematics (TU)

During the course of study in Mathematics, students move from a concrete, algorithmic mode of reasoning in early courses to a more abstract, formal mode of reasoning in the later capstone courses.

Successful Mathematics majors will:

  • Sharpen their problem-solving skills,
  • Communicate mathematical results in a rigorous way that exhibits good mathematical
    speaking, and
  • Communicate mathematical results in a rigorous way that exhibits good mathematical writing.

Through tutoring, volunteer and internship opportunities, participating Mathematics majors can further strengthen their own understanding of mathematics and help others to do the same. Upon graduation, Mathematics majors are ready to pursue graduate study in mathematics or in a variety of other disciplines, teacher preparation, or employment in industry, including actuarial science and operations research.

All 100-level Mathematics courses required for the major and the minor have prerequisites. While these prerequisites can be satisfied in a variety of ways, the most efficient way for most students is to take the mathematics placement examination no later than the start of a student’s first semester at Oglethorpe. The mathematics placement exam will diagnose if a student has sufficient mathematical acuity to exempt any (or all) of the mathematics prerequisites and, if not, will also diagnose an action plan for preparing the student to satisfy prerequisites in the shortest possible time. Please consult Sec. 6.4.1. for additional information. Mathematics majors who satisfy the relevant mathematics proficiency prerequisites their first semester at Oglethorpe are urged to register for the appropriate Mathematics course(s) right away. Students needing additional math preparation must acquire the needed expertise in time to begin the mathematics courses required for the major in their sophomore year.

B.S. in Mathematics (see Sec. 8.5.4. for a complete list of B.S. graduation requirements)

  1. All courses below are required:
    • MAT 131 Calculus I
    • MAT 132 Calculus II
    • 195 Mathematical Thinking
    • 196 Proof Techniques
    • MAT 233 Calculus III
    • MAT 234 Calculus IV
    • MAT 236 Differential Equations
    • MAT 340 Probability
  2. Choose three of the four options below:
    • TWO COURSE BUNDLE
      • MAT 238 Linear Algebra AND
      • MAT 300L Advanced Linear Algebra Lab
    • MAT 245 Numerical Methods
    • MAT 345 Mathematical Statistics
    • MAT 490 Advanced Special Topics in Mathematics
  3. Choose one course below:
    • MAT 471 Abstract Algebra
    • MAT 482 Real Analysis
  4. Choose one course below:
    • MAT 197 Modeling Contest Workshop
    • CDE 201 Career Development and Exploration
    • SEN 401 Senior Transitions
    • MAT 495 Internship in Mathematics
  5. All courses below are required:
    • CSC 201 Introduction to Programming
    • CSC 201L Introduction to Programming Lab
  6. Additional requirements and things to note:
    • A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses contributing to the major.
    • No student will be permitted to register for a Mathematics course that is a prerequisite to a Mathematics course for which the student has already received academic credit.

B.S. in Mathematics — Actuarial Science Track (see Sec. 8.5.4. for a complete list of B.S. graduation requirements)

  1. Students should learn the mathematics and computer science foundations for actuarial science by completing all of the courses below.
    • MAT 131 Calculus I
    • MAT 132 Calculus II
    • MAT 233 Calculus III
    • MAT 340 Probability
    • MAT 345 Mathematical Statistics
    • CSC 180 Modeling via Excel and R
    • CSC 201 Introduction to Programming
    • CSC 201L Introduction to Programming Lab
  2. Students should learn the accounting, business, and economics foundations for actuarial science by completing all of the courses below.
    • ACC 230 Financial Accounting
    • BUS 310 Corporate Finance
    • ECO 120 Principles of Microeconomics
    • ECO 122 Principles of Macroeconomics
  3. Students should demonstrate critical competencies for actuarial science by completing all of the courses below.
    • MAT 250 Financial Mathematics
    • MAT 350 Statistical Learning
    • MAT 355 Fundamental Actuarial Mathematics I
    • MAT 360 Fundamental Actuarial Mathematics II
  4. Students should complete a capstone for actuarial science by completing one of the courses below.
    • MAT 455 Advanced Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics
    • MAT 460 Advanced Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
  5. Additional Requirements and things to note:
    • A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses contributing to this Actuarial Science track in the Mathematics major.
    • For professional credentialing, students should be aware that a grade of “B-” or better is expected for the following “Validation by Educational Experience” (VEE) courses: ACC 230, BUS 310, ECO 120, ECO 122, and MAT 345.  A student can graduate from Oglethorpe University with a grade of “C-” or better in these courses, but a grade of “B-” or better in each of them would be needed for professional credentialing in Actuarial Science.
    • No student will be permitted to register for a Mathematics course that is a prerequisite to a Mathematics course for which the student has already received academic credit.

Minor in Mathematics (TU)

  1. Choose one course below:
    • MAT 121 Applied Calculus
    • MAT 131 Calculus I
  2. All courses below are required:
    • MAT 132 Calculus II
    • MAT 233 Calculus III
    • MAT 234 Calculus IV
    • MAT 195 Mathematical Thinking
    • MAT 196 Proof Techniques
  3. Pick one non-introductory Mathematics elective.
    • Complete 4-5 credits in MAT courses from the list of courses in the Mathematics major which are at the 200-level or higher but not already included in the requirements #1 or #2 above.
  4. Additional requirements and things to note:
    • A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses contributing to the minor.
    • No student will be permitted to register for a Mathematics course that is a prerequisite to a Mathematics course for which the student has already received academic credit.
    • For the third minor requirement, here are examples to clarify the variable credits.
      • A student could take MAT-340/Probability for 4 credits to complete this option.
      • Since MAT-238 by itself is not a valid choice in the Mathematics major, MAT-238 by itself is not a valid choice for the minor either. It has a partner 1-credit lab. So, a student should take both MAT-238 and MAT-300L for a total of 5 credits to complete this option for the minor.