Mathematics

The Secondary Teaching option provides preparation for students planning to teach mathematics at the secondary level. Students in this option may enroll in a postbaccalaureate teacher preparation program to earn a Preliminary Single Subject Credential in Mathematics. Alternatively, students who meet the eligibility requirements can enter either the Four-Year Integrated Mathematics (FYI-Math) Teacher Credential Program or the Junior-Year Integrated Mathematics (JYI-Math) Teacher Credential Program, in which students earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Preliminary Single Subject Credential and are qualified to teach full-time upon graduation. These options have been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as academic programs for the Single Subject Credential in Mathematics. For details on the Single Subject Credential program, see the Credentials and Department of Secondary Education sections in this Catalog.

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, students 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 have at least a 2.0 GPA for all upper division units required in the major.

1. Lower Division Required Courses (27 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)
PHIL 230 Introduction to Formal Logic (3)
PHYS 220A Mechanics (3)
PHYS 220AL Mechanics Lab (1)

2. Upper Division Required Courses (24 units)

MATH 320 Foundations of Higher Mathematics (3)
MATH 340 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)
MATH 360 Abstract Algebra I (3)
MATH 370 Foundations of Geometry (3)
MATH 382/L Introduction to Scientific Computing and Lab (2/1)
MATH 391 Field Experience in Schools (2)
MATH 450A Advanced Calculus I (3)
MATH 490 Capstone Course (3)

3. Upper Division Electives (9 units)

Three upper division Mathematics electives chosen with advisor. Recommended courses: MATH 351, MATH 366, MATH 441, MATH 460, MATH 463, MATH 470 and MATH 483.

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.

15 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: PHIL 230 satisfies Basic Skills A3 Critical Thinking; PHYS 220A satisfies B1 Physical Science; PHYS 220AL satisfies B3 Life Science; 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.

Total Units in the Major/Option: 60

General Education Units: 33

Additional Units: 27

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