Narrative for Proposed Changes to Mathematics (MATH)
B.A. Major and Minor
A.
Statement of major focus and objectives of the revised program.
The major focus and objectives of the revised program are the same. We will
address each of these changes with the rationale behind the proposed change.
1) MATH 270 – Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (4) and MATH
340 – Advanced Linear Algebra (3) are required for all mathematics majors.
Differential Equations and Linear Algebra are each fundamental topics in
mathematics that a mathematics major should learn (at least at the introductory
level) in order to have a complete mathematical undergraduate education. These
requirements are consistent with the 2004 CUPM Curriculum Guide issued by the
Mathematical Association of America (cf. Part II, Section C: Students majoring in
the mathematical sciences, posted online at http://www.maa.org/cupm/part2c.pdf
). In particular, the Differential Equations course (Math 270) is an important
component of providing the mathematics major with the continuous and discrete
mathematical points of view, and the Linear Algebra course (Math 340) is an
important component of providing the mathematics major with the algebraic and
geometric points of view, as recommended in the CUPM Curriculum Guide.
The previous mathematics program requirements ensured that a student would
learn one or the other, but not necessarily both. (Math 270 includes a small
amount of Linear Algebra, but not the amount necessary for a complete
mathematical undergraduate preparation.) The new program requires that the
mathematics major complete a full semester of each.
2) MATH 305 – Probability replaces MATH 220 – Combinatorics and
Graph Theory
As before this course is an optional component to the Department Core for the
mathematics major. MATH 305 – Probability replaces MATH 220 primarily to
better meet standards for the Mathematics: Secondary Teaching major and
provide a better probability background for the Mathematics: Statistics major.
B.
New Catalog Content
1. All catalog changes are attached, proposed changes in the left column, existing
program is in the right column. Anything changes not discussed above have been
previously approved or no longer apply for the current catalog, e.g. years offered.
2. Narrative was added describing the requirements for double majoring in
Mathematics (MATH) & Mathematics: Secondary Teaching (MTHT) and
Mathematics (MATH) & Mathematics: Statistics (MTST).
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C.
Description of Revisions
1. All changes are attached and placed side-by-side for easy comparison.
2. All changes are in red and complete deletions are stuck through.
3. This was discussed in the narrative above.
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