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. Completion of all of the following courses:
    • CSC 201 Introduction to Programming
    • MAT 131 Calculus I
    • MAT 132 Calculus II
    • MAT 233 Calculus III
    • MAT 234 Calculus IV
    • MAT 236 Differential Equations
    • MAT 238 Linear Algebra
    • MAT 241 Proof & Logic
    • MAT 300L Advanced Linear Algebra Lab: Proofs and Vector Spaces
    • MAT 340 Probability
    • MAT 471 Abstract Algebra
    • MAT 482 Real Analysis
  2. Completion of one of the following courses:
    • MAT 345 Mathematical Statistics
    • MAT 490 Advanced Special Topics in Mathematics
  3. 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. Completion of one of the following courses:
    • MAT 121 Applied Calculus
    • MAT 131 Calculus I
  2. Completion of all of the following courses:
    • MAT 132 Calculus II
    • MAT 233 Calculus III
    • MAT 234 Calculus IV
    • MAT 241 Proof & Logic
  3. Completion of one additional 4 semester hour, 200-level or higher Mathematics course from the list required for the major (see above).
  4. 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.