Mathematics - B.A.
Sanjukta Hota, Ph.D., Discipline Coordinator
Mathematics is important in the life of every individual. The mathematics faculty have contact with every Fisk student, whether in the mission of general education, teacher education, support for client disciplines, or the mathematical education of majors and joint majors.
Course offerings are academically challenging, but it is the belief of the mathematics faculty that all students can learn mathematics. Mathematics is central for providing experiences to ensure that students gain “proficiency in analytical reasoning and computational skills” necessary for survival in a “technological society” as well as understanding connections between mathematics and other disciplines. Clearly, mathematics has special responsibility for support to other disciplines, such as those in the natural or social sciences and business administration, as well as to students who select mathematics as a single or joint major.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Mathematics major, the student will:
- Demonstrate and communicate knowledge and application of the theories and practices of Mathematics;
- Apply general problem-solving and proof techniques based on the principles of mathematical thinking; and
- Identify and apply the connections and contributions of Mathematics to other disciplines.
The goals of the mathematics area and the learning outcomes that flow from these goals follow.
Goal I
To provide a course of study for a mathematics major program consistent with other colleges and universities as delineated by organizations such as the MAA (Mathematical Association of America) Committee on the Undergraduate Programs in Mathematics (CUPM) Guidelines and Programs at Liberal Arts Colleges.
Outcomes
Graduates of the B.A. major program in mathematics must:
- Demonstrate knowledge of mathematics in the areas of elementary analysis (calculus), higher algebra, and higher analysis at the undergraduate level;
- Be able to apply the knowledge gained to solve problems related to various disciplines;
- Demonstrate general knowledge in the areas of physics and computer science;
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and discuss a problem or narrow band of knowledge of a subject in writing and orally; and
- Be able to connect the importance of mathematics historically and presently to a technological society.
Goal II
To provide a course of study for a mathematics joint major program that gives students adequate knowledge to combine two areas of knowledge for work or further study in either discipline or a combination thereof.
Outcomes:
Graduates of the joint major program in mathematics must:
- Demonstrate knowledge of mathematics in the areas of elementary analysis (calculus) and higher algebra;
- Demonstrate knowledge in the cognate subjects selected;
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and discuss a problem or narrow band of knowledge of a subject in writing and orally; and
- Be able to connect the importance of mathematics historically and presently to a technological society.
Goal III
To provide a course of study that supports other disciplines and majors requiring mathematics beyond that required in the program of general education.
Outcomes:
Graduates of a client discipline must:
- Demonstrate awareness of the connection between prescribed mathematics courses and their respective disciplines; and
- Be able to apply the principles of mathematics for problem-solving in their respective disciplines and related disciplines.
Goal IV:
To provide technological experiences in the learning of mathematics using graphing calculators, computer algebra systems, and computer-aided instruction.
Outcomes:
Graduates of any major program must:
- Be familiar with the operation and use of technologies in the learning of mathematics; and
- Be aware of the role of technology in society presently and in the future.
Goal V
To provide critical thinking experiences in the learning of mathematics which promote the development of strong life-long skills of problem solving and quantitative analysis.
Outcomes:
Graduates of any major program must:
- Be able to apply the principles of mathematics for problem-solving in any discipline;
- Be able to apply a known solution of a problem to correctly solve a new, related problem;
- Be able to analyze the information given and required in a problem, select an appropriate strategy, arrive at the solution, and assess the accuracy of the answer.
Requirements for the mathematics major, in addition to the University degree requirements outlined within this Bulletin, are:
Major Requirements
Courses in mathematics [28 credits] numbered 120 and above. Mathematics majors do not take CORE 131 or CORE 132.
The required courses are:
Note: Mathematics electives in the major must be numbered above 200. An advanced course in computer science or physics may be substituted for a mathematics elective with permission of department.
Required Cognates
| CSCI 110 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE I | 3 |
| CSCI 110L | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE I LABORATORY | 1 |
| CSCI 120 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE II | 3 |
| CSCI 120L | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE II LABORATORY | 1 |
| NSCI 360 | STATISTICS | 3 |
| PHYS 130 | UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I | 3 |
| PHYS 130L | EXPERIMENTS IN GENERAL PHYSICS I | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Joint Majors
Joint majors combining mathematics with another discipline may be arranged. Twenty-one credits in mathematics courses are required as part of any such joint major, and must include:
The program also may include such other mathematics courses at the 200 level or higher as the student, with departmental approval, may elect; and the foreign language requirement must be completed as for any other major. Students wishing to undertake a joint major in mathematics should obtain the advice of the mathematics Discipline Coordinator as early as possible after deciding to pursue the major. A faculty member from the department will be assigned to cooperate with the student's other major faculty academic advisor in the construction and execution of an appropriate study plan.
Suggested Program Plan for Mathematics Majors
First Year, Fall Semester
First Year, Spring Semester
Second Year, Fall Semester
| MATH 210 | CALCULUS III | 4 |
| CORE 220 | THE CREATIVE ARTS | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second Year, Spring Semester
| MATH 240 | LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| CORE 201 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| CORE 240 | NATURAL SCIENCE | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Third Year, Fall Semester
| MATH 240 | LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| CORE 260 | HUMANITIES: THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| | | |
| PHYS 130 | UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I | 3 |
| | And | |
| PHYS 130L | EXPERIMENTS IN GENERAL PHYSICS I | 1 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third Year, Spring Semester
| MATH 320 | ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURES | 3 |
| MATH | Elective | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Year, Fall Semester
| MATH 353 | INTRODUCTION TO REAL ANALYSIS | 3 |
| MATH 395 | SENIOR SEMINAR | 1 |
| CORE 360 | THE WORLD AND ITS PEOPLES | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| MATH | Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Note: MATH 395, Senior Seminar, must be retaken in Spring Semester if not completed in the Fall Semester.
Fourth Year, Spring Semester
| MATH 270 | ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | 3 |
| NSCI 360 | STATISTICS | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| MATH | Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
CORE Curriculum Requirements
The CORE curriculum is required for all majors.
Total Credit Hours: 120