DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

Course Descriptions

Chair: Mark L. Klespis, (Interim) (936) 294-1577; klespis@shsu.edu

Coordinators: John Snow (Mathematics), Max Coleman (Mathematics Education), Cecil Hallum (Statistics)

Faculty: Ferry Butar, Max Coleman, Beth Cory, Tom Davis, Rebecca Garcia, Cecil Hallum, Jaimie Hebert, John Huber, William Jasper, Jackie Jensen, Julie Jones, Jodie Kirk, Mark Klespis, Harry Konen, Brian Loft, Dave Luning, Glen Mattingly, Joseph O’Brien, Wesley Sanders, John Short, John Snow, Mary Swarthout , Jianzhong Wang

Website: www.shsu.edu/~ mth_www/

Mathematics is a powerful tool for solving practical problems, combining logic and precision with intuition and imagination. The basic goal of mathematics is to reveal and explain patterns – whether the pattern appears as electrical impulses in an animal’s nervous system, as fluctuations in stock market prices, or as fine detail of an abstract geometric figure.

Mission

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics provides an environment that is conducive to and promotes the understanding of mathematics and statistics by all students, encourages community and institutional service, and encourages and supports continued faculty development and scholarship.

Academic Programs

BA in Mathematics
BS in Mathematics

Highlights

Host for annual mathematics conference on teaching of mathematics
Numerous grants with government and education agencies
Home of Reeves Center for Mathematics Education
Undergraduate student presentations at MAA meetings

Career Opportunities

Accounting and Finance
Computer Programming
Sales and Marketing
Management and Related Positions
Actuarial
Computer Systems Analysis
Engineering
Statistics
Mathematics
Operations Research
Modeling
Academic Positions – High School or College

Suggested Minors

Chemistry, Computer Science, Music, Physics, Pre-Med/Biology, Secondary Education, Statistics

Student Organizations

Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
Pi-Mu-Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society
Ruth Lane Math Society

Internships

Possible internships exist with NASA, National Security Agency, Actuarial Firms, Oil Industry

Scholarships

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers several scholarships each year and Sam Houston State University offers additional, university-wide scholarships. For information on departmental scholarships, contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/~sfa_www/scholarship.html or telephone (936) 294-1672.

Program Specific Requirements

Anyone considering a degree in Mathematics should consult an advisor in the Mathematics department prior to registering for any courses.

Curriculum

Curriculum outlines below are typical, but modifications may be made to meet individual student needs. Although study plans usually begin with MTH 142, other courses such as MTH 163 or 170 may sometimes be more appropriate. Students who have completed extensive high school mathematics may be eligible for advanced placement.

Major In Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
MTH 142, 143	8	MTH 244, 364	7
ENG 164, 165	6	Component Area 4 (Literature)	3
Component Area 3 (Natural Science, Not in Department of Physics)	4	ENG or SCM Elective	3
PHY 141 or 142	4	POL 261, POL (200-level)	6
HIS 163, 164	6	Foreign Language (one field)	8-10
KIN 215	1	CS 164	3
General Electives	6	Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)	3
	35		33-35

Third and Fourth Years	Credit
MTH 377, 461, 466, 471, 477, MTH (Advanced – see note below)	18
Approved Minor	18
ART, DNC, MUS, THR or PHL 366	3
Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies)	3
Component Area 5	3
Foreign Language (one field)	6
Advanced General Electives	9
	60

Notes:

The following courses can only be used as required advanced electives by students who are seeking elementary/middle school teacher certification: MTH 381, 382, 383, 384, 386, and 387. The following courses can only be used as required advanced electives by students who are seeking secondary teacher certification: 484 and 485.
Students should use the minor and advanced general electives to complete the 42-advanced hour requirement for graduation.

Major in Mathematics
Bachelor of Science

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
MTH 142, 143	8	MTH 244 and 364	7
ENG 164, 165	6	Component Area 4 (Literature)	3
HIS 163, 164	6	ENG or SCM Elective	3
KIN 215	1	PHY 141 and 142	8
BIO, CHM, or GEL (from one field)	8	POL 261, POL (200-level)	6
General Electives	6	CS 164	3
	35	Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)	3
			33

Third and Fourth Years	Credit
MTH 376, 377, 461, 466, 471, 477, MTH (Advanced – see note below)	24
Minor	18
Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies)	3
Component Area 5	3
Electives	12
	60

Notes:

The following courses can only be used as required advanced electives by students who are seeking elementary/middle school teacher certification: MTH 381, 382, 383, 384, 386, and 387. The following courses can only be used as required advanced electives by students who are seeking secondary teacher certification: 484 and 485.
Students should use the minor and electives to complete the 42-advanced hour requirement for graduation.

Major in Mathematics with Teacher Certification

For students selecting a Minor as a Second Teaching Field
The requirements include CS 164 or approved substitute, MTH 142, 143, 244, 363, 364, 377, 379, 477, 484, and 485.

For students who do not select a Minor
The requirements include those above, and one of the following options:
OPTION 1: (Analysis Emphasis) MTH 394, 461, and 467.
OPTION 2: (Statistics Emphasis) STA 380, STA 470, and MTH/STA 471.

Minor in Mathematics with Teacher Certification

Middle School Level Certification
Plans must include MTH 184, 185, 284, 285, 383, 384, 386 and 387 or approved substitutes.

Secondary Level Certification
Plans must include MTH 142, 143, 363, 364, 377, 379, 484, 485 and CS 164 or approved substitutes.

Teacher Certification
In addition to the listed degree requirements, the following courses must be completed for teacher certification. Several of these courses may be taken as electives or to partially complete existing degree requirements.

SED 374, 383, 394, 464, 480, 496, and 497
RDG 392
SCM 384

Minor in Mathematics without Teacher Certification

Minors in mathematics must include MTH 142, 143 and one of the following: MTH 244 and 6 semester hours of advanced mathematics (no more than 3 hours of courses cross listed with STA), or 10 semester hours of advanced mathematics (no more than 3 hours of courses cross listed with STA). Prerequisites should be carefully noted. The following courses can only be used as required advanced electives by students who are seeking elementary/middle school teacher certification:

MTH 381, 382, 383, 384, 386, and 387. The following courses can only be used as required advanced electives by students who are seeking secondary teacher certification: 484 and 485.

A student’s major program of study may also impose requirements on a minor in mathematics. Thus, the selection of courses for a mathematics minor should be made with the counsel of both the major advisor and a mathematics advisor.

Minor in Statistics

Requirements are adjusted to accommodate program emphases.

Emphasis on Statistical Theory
STA 379, 380, 471, 472, and two courses elected from STA 381, 470, 473, and 474.

Emphasis on Statistical Method
STA 379, 380, 381, 474, 473, and one course elected from STA 470, CS 477, MTH 394, and MTH 396.

A concentration of twelve semester hours is appropriate for students who need an understanding of statistics to augment study in another field but who do not require a minor in statistics. A typical concentration might consist of STA 379 and 380 with two additional courses selected from STA 381, 470, 471, 472, 473 and 474.

Course Description: