Mathematics

Mathematicians today are engaged in a wide variety of activities. Research mathematicians create new theories and techniques. Applied mathematicians use that theory and mathematical modeling to solve problems in economics, science, medicine, engineering, and management. Teachers of mathematics develop new ways to teach mathematical concepts to children and adults. University-level mathematics involves more than algorithms and computational techniques. Mathematics majors also learn to construct proofs and how to approach a real-life problem from a mathematical point of view.

Double Major

Students pursuing either a B.A. or a B.S. degree may combine a second major with Mathematics. In this circumstance, upon approval of an advisor, 6 units of upper division electives may be satisfied by courses in the second major. The remaining electives must be taken in the Department of Mathematics. Under certain rare conditions, the physics requirement in the lower division core may be replaced by appropriate coursework in the second major. Prior approval must be obtained from an advisor and the department chair for this latter occurrence.

In addition to University residency requirements for a bachelor’s degree, the student must complete a minimum of 18 units of upper division Mathematics in residence at CSUN with the approval of a Mathematics advisor. Students in B.A. degree programs must fulfill the University requirement of at least 40 units of upper division coursework overall.

Students are assumed to have a facility in mathematics normally gained by recent completion of four years of high school mathematics through trigonometry and mathematical analysis. Because of the variation in curricula at the high school level, the Department of Mathematics offers the Mathematics Diagnostic Test (MDT) to ensure appropriate placement in the calculus sequence.

Students must complete the lower division core and one of the Mathematics B.A. options, and they must have at least a 2.0 GPA for all upper division units required in the major.

1. Lower Division Required Courses (24 units)

COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming and Lab (3/1)
MATH 150A Calculus I (5)
MATH 150B Calculus II (5)
MATH 250 Calculus III (3)
MATH 262 Introduction to Linear Algebra (3)
PHYS 220A Mechanics (3)
PHYS 220AL Mechanics Lab (1)

2. Upper Division Required Courses (25 units)

MATH 320 Foundations of Higher Mathematics (3)
MATH 340 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)
MATH 351 Differential Equations (3)
MATH 360 Abstract Algebra I (3)
MATH 382/L Introduction to Scientific Computing and Lab (2/1)
MATH 450A Advanced Calculus I (3)
MATH 462 Advanced Linear Algebra (3)
MATH 493 Seminar in Mathematics (3)

3. Upper Division Electives (9 units)

Upper division Mathematics electives selected with advisor approval, not to include MATH 310/L, 311, 312, 331, 391 or 490. Students considering graduate work in mathematics are strongly advised to include MATH 450B, MATH 455 and MATH 460 in their program of study or to complete a B.S. degree in Mathematics.

4. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

12 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: PHYS 220A satisfies B1 Physical Science; PHYS 220AL satisfies B3 Science Laboratory Activity; MATH 150A satisfies Basic Skills B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning; MATH 320 satisfies B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning; and COMP 110/L satisfies E Lifelong Learning.

Students are encouraged to take PHIL 230 to satisfy the Basic Skills A3 Critical Thinking requirement.

Total Units in the Major/Option: 58

General Education Units: 36

Additional Units: 26

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120