Mathematics

Mathematics impacts all sectors of society, and those with a mastery of numbers and mathematical concepts have a huge competitive advantage.

As a math major at FSC, you’ll go beyond classroom learning and engage in research with faculty and on your own that will prepare you for some of today’s most innovative, challenging, and lucrative careers.

Engaged Learning in the Classroom

In your mathematics classes, you’ll use all sorts of active learning techniques — MAPLE (a computer algebra system) graphing calculators, applied projects, and numerous other methods to engage students.

Course Information

As a mathematics major, you’ll complete Calculus I, II, and III, Linear Algebra and Proof Techniques. You can then choose from a list of courses including Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, Algebraic Structures, and Elementary Analysis, as well as selected topics offered by the department.

Get complete descriptions of all our mathematics courses  

Departmental Clubs & Organizations

FSC sponsors a chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon, a mathematics honor society, and has the Math Club, a mathematical interest club.

Graduate & Professional Opportunities

Our students go on to graduate school to earn advanced degrees in mathematics, mathematics education, and engineering. Our graduates also work in a range of industries and positions.

News

Mathematics Major Requirements

A. General Education Requirements	40 hours
B. Major Requirements	48 hours

CSC 2231	Programming and Data Structures I
MAT 2311	Calculus I with Plane Analytic Geometry
MAT 2312	Calculus II with Plane Analytic Geometry
MAT 2505	Linear Algebra
MAT 3205	Proof Techniques
MAT 3313	Calculus III with Solid Analytic Geometry
MAT 4205	Algebraic Structures
or
MAT 4315	Elementary Analysis
MAT 4999	Mathematics Senior Seminar

Sixteen hours from the following if not taken above:

MAT 3350	Differential Equations
MAT 3442	Probability and Statistics
MAT 4205	Algebraic Structures
MAT 4315	Elementary Analysis
MAT 4630	Selected Topics in Mathematics
MAT 4645	Selected Topics in Computer Science and Mathematics
MAT 4960/61	Senior Internship in Mathematics (four hours maximum)

C. Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements	20 hours
or
D. Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements	12 hours
E. Electives	16-26 hours
F. Total	124 hours

For a complete listing of requirements, please refer to the
Academic Catalog  

Mathematics Minor Requirements

To earn a minor in mathematics you will need to complete twenty hours chosen from the following courses successfully.

MAT 2311	Calculus I with Plane Analytic Geometry
MAT 2312	Calculus II with Plane Analytic Geometry
MAT 2505	Linear Algebra
MAT 3205	Proof Techniques
MAT 3313	Calculus III with Solid Analytic Geometry
MAT 3350	Differential Equations
MAT 3442	Probability and Statistics
MAT 4205	Algebraic Structures
MAT 4315	Elementary Analysis
MAT 4630	Selected Topics in Mathematics
MAT 4645	Selected Topics in Mathematics and Computer Science

Computer Science

CSC 2231 PROGRAMMING AND DATA STRUCTURES I
Four hours. Concepts, terminology, and methods of object-oriented programming, algorithms and problem-solving, fundamental data structures. Java Programming.

Mathematics

MAT 2311 CALCULUS I WITH PLANE ANALYTIC GEOMETRY
Four hours. The study of differentiation and integration of algebraic and transcendental functions. Applications of differentiation, Mean Value Theorem, maximum/minimum, problems and The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Topics in plane analytic geometry. Use of computer algebra system (CAS) required. Gen Ed: Qn

MAT 2312 CALCULUS II WITH PLANE ANALYTIC GEOMETRY
Four hours. Prerequisite: MAT 2311. Continuation of MAT 2311. Techniques and applications of integration, Simpson's and Trapezoidal Rules, improper integrals, infinite series, and Taylor expansions of functions. Use of a computer algebra system required. Gen Ed: Qn

MAT 2505 LINEAR ALGEBRA
Four hours. Prerequisites: MAT 2312. The study of matrices, solution of homogeneous and non-homogeneous systems of equations, vector spaces, linear mappings, determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.

MAT 3205 PROOF TECHNIQUES
Four hours. Prerequisite: MAT 2312. An introduction to the logic and methods of higher mathematics, emphasizing critical thinking and basic proof techniques.

MAT 3313 CALCULUS III WITH SOLID ANALYTIC GEOMETRY
Four hours. Prerequisite: MAT 2312. Solid analytic geometry, vector calculus. partial differentiation, and multiple integrals. Use of computer algebra system (CAS) required. Gen Ed: Qn

MAT 3350 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Four hours. Prerequisite: MAT 2312. Students use qualitative, numerical, and analytical techniques to study solutions of ordinary differential equations and systems of ordinary differential equations. Topics include analytic methods for solving separable and linear differential equations, numeric methods, existence and uniqueness theorems, systems of linear differential equations, stability of autonomous systems, discrete dynamical systems, and chaos. Use of a computer algebra system is required.

MAT 3442 PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
Four hours. Prerequisite: MAT 3313 and 3205. Study of probability models, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, sampling estimation, multivariate random variables, hypothesis testing and confidence intervals.

MAT 4205 ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURES
Four hours. Prerequisite: MAT 3205. This course explores the basic properties of the fundamental structures found so very useful to algebraists, notably, rings, fields, and groups. It also entails a significant collaborative research and problem-solving capstone experience.

MAT 4315 ELEMENTARY ANALYSIS
Four hours. Prerequisites: MAT 3313 and 3205. The beginning study of analysis including accountability, sequences, convergence, limits, continuity, and differentiation.

MAT 4630 SELECTED TOPICS IN MATHEMATICS
Two or Four hours. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Covers contemporary topics at an advanced level in mathematics (such as graph theory, group theory, knot theory, linear algebra, logic, modern algebra, real analysis, topology). Course may be repeated for credit with a different topic.

MAT 4645 SELECTED TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
Two or Four hours. Same as CSC 4645. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Covers contemporary topics at an advanced level in applied mathematics and computer science. (For example: numerical methods, graph theory.) Course may be repeated for credit with a different topic.

MAT 4960/4961 SENIOR INTERNSHIP IN MATHEMATICS
One to four hours. Prerequisite: 72 credit hours and completion of departmental approval procedure and MAT 4205 or MAT 4315 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major and sign-off on career service fundamentals (resume writing, interview skills, and business etiquette). The internship must be local to allow for faculty supervision. One hour of credit may be awarded for every forty hours of on-the-job experience.

MAT 4999 MATHEMATICS SENIOR SEMINAR
Four hours. Senior Standing, successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course entails a student led development of knowledge in a subject outside the scope of the existing mathematics curriculum. Students work through the material and display their knowledge of the subject in oral presentations and written documentation. Gen Ed: EC-C