About

Are you interested in a liberal arts degree in mathematics? Do you want to get an edge in tomorrow's job market by developing your quantitative skills?

In high school, mathematics courses usually emphasize computational techniques-factoring polynomials, solving equations, and the like. At the university level, there is a much greater emphasis on ideas, and proof plays a greater role. Calculations still matter but it no longer suffices to "get the right answer" by applying a recipe in mechanical fashion. At heart, mathematics concerns the search for underlying patterns and the precise communication of meaning.

ECU's BA in mathematics is a program with a broad foundation in the liberal arts, with a core in the essential undergraduate level mathematics. The program prepares you for a variety of career options where you can leverage your quantitative skills combined with the best liberal arts background provided at ECU. The program requires four courses in a foreign language of your choice, along with the standard foundation curriculum required of all ECU students.

ECU Advantage

Our upper division courses are taught in small classes by faculty who hold doctoral degrees from top universities. They are experts in a wide range of mathematical specialties, both pure and applied, who engage in research and publication. They are also dedicated teachers who will get to know you and meet with you outside of the classroom.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Guglielmo Fucci (252-328-1885; fuccig@ecu.edu)

Students interested in research and/or independent study should consider the Mathematics Honors Program. Students interested in graduate studies in mathematics should consider the mathematics accelerated program.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

    2. Demonstrated foreign language proficiency through level 2004 - 12 s.h.

    (For information about the foreign language requirement view Special Requirements for the BA Degree in the Academic Advisement, Progression and Support Services section and Placement Testing, Foreign Language in the Admission and Readmission section.)

      3. Core - 30 s.h.

      Credit toward the degree will not be given in any course in the core with a grade less than C- (1. 7).

      • MATH 2171 - Calculus I
      • MATH 2172 - Calculus II
      • MATH 2173 - Calculus III
      • MATH 2300 - Transition to Advanced Mathematics
      • MATH 3256 - Linear Algebra
      • MATH 3263 - Introduction to Modern Algebra
      • MATH 3307 - Mathematical Statistics I
      • MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
      • MATH 4101 - Advanced Calculus I
        • Note:

        Students who have taken CSCI 3584 or MATH 3584 may substitute that course for MATH 3256.

        4. Minor or second major or 18 s.h. of statistics course

        Choose one of the following options. 

          Option 1. Complete any minor except the mathematics or statistics minors (18-30 s.h.)
            Option 2. Complete a second major
              Option 3. Complete 18 s.h. of statistics courses
              • MATH 3308 - Mathematical Statistics II

              • Choose any 5 courses (15 s.h.) from the following:
              • MATH 4005 - Introduction to Sampling and Experimental Design
              • MATH 4031 - Applied Regression Analysis
              • MATH 4100 - Mathematics of Risk Analysis
              • MATH 4201 - Introduction to Stochastic Processes
              • MATH 4300 - Financial and Actuarial Mathematics
              • MATH 4774 - Programming for Statistical Research
              • MATH 4801 - Probability Theory
            5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
              For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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