About
Have you always liked mathematics? Are you looking for a program that will help you develop an edge in the quantitative skills required in tomorrow's job market?
The BS in mathematics is a concentrated program that prepares you for a variety of career options in mathematics and related fields. The students choose one concentration area from: mathematics, sciences, statistics, and computer science to enhance their skills. Concentrating in the sciences is a favored option for the premeds in our program. Concentrations in mathematics or statistics are preferred by our students who go on to graduate school in mathematics or related fields like economics.
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.
The science of mathematics differs from empirical sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Theories in these fields are supported by bodies of observation and remain true until invalidated or refined by new information. Mathematical theories are supported by deductive proof and remain true forever. For example, the geometry of the ancient Greeks is still valid and useful even though Euclid wrote his famous Elements more than two thousand years ago.
ECU Advantage
Our upper division courses contain fewer than 15 students per class, on an average, and our faculty provides individual attention to students. We have a wide selection of electives, allowing students to tailor their program and explore careers in many areas of mathematics, including the actuarial sciences. Many career paths are available to the mathematics major. Most of these require some knowledge of other areas as well as good communication and computer skills. Students can take advantage of the breadth of opportunities at ECU by pursing a degree in mathematics with a second major, minor, or significant course work in business, computer science, economics, or education.
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
(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)
Credit toward the degree will not be given in any course in the common mathematics 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 3308 - Mathematical Statistics II
- MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH 4101 - Advanced Calculus I
Students who have taken CSCI 3584 or MATH 3584 may substitute that course for MATH 3256.
(Choose one.)
- CSCI 2400 - Discrete Structures I
- CSCI 2405 - Discrete Structures II
- CSCI 2530 - Algorithms and Data Structures
- CSCI 2540 - Data Abstraction and Object-Oriented Data Structures
- CSCI 3650 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- Choose a 3 s.h.
- MATH 4110 - Elementary Complex Variables
- Choose 9 s.h.
- CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
- MATH 4110 - Elementary Complex Variables
- PHYS 2350 - University Physics I
- PHYS 2360 - University Physics II
- Choose a 3 s.h. MATH course numbered above 2999.
- BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
- BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
- BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
- BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
- ENGR 2022 - Statics
- ENGR 2450 - Dynamics
- ENGR 3034 - Thermal and Fluid Systems
- Choose 9 s.h.
- MATH 4005 - Introduction to Sampling and Experimental Design
- MATH 4031 - Applied Regression Analysis
- MATH 4100 - Mathematics of Risk Analysis OR
- MATH 4300 - Financial and Actuarial Mathematics
- MATH 4201 - Introduction to Stochastic Processes
- MATH 4774 - Programming for Statistical Research
- MATH 4801 - Probability Theory
- ECON 4443 - Econometrics
- ENGR 3800 - Quality Control for Engineers
- OMGT 4493 - Quality Management
- MATH courses numbered above 2999
A second major may be taken instead of a minor.
Choose 8 s.h. from the following:
- CSCI 1010 - Algorithmic Problem Solving
- CSCI 1011 - Algorithmic Problem Solving Lab
- CSCI 1000 - Explorations in Computing
- ENGR 2050 - Introduction to Engineering Computation
- MATE 4001 - Technology in Secondary Mathematics Education
- MIS 2223 - Introduction to Computers
Students in the mathematics, science, and statistics concentrations may choose one of the following courses instead of CSCI 1010 and CSCI 1011: