Mathematics

The B.S. degree in Mathematics is designed for students who want to pursue occupational careers involving applied mathematics or want to prepare for graduate work in applied mathematics.

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 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.S. 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 (22 units)

MATH 320 Foundations of Higher Mathematics (3)
MATH 340 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)
MATH 351 Differential Equations (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 480 Partial Differential Equations (3)

3. Upper Division Electives (18 units)

Choose (with an advisor) 18 units from among (1) all upper division Math courses (excluding MATH 310, 310L, 311, 312, 331, 391 and 490); and (2) approved courses in other departments. At least 12 units must be in Mathematics. Students are encouraged to take courses outside the Mathematics department, especially upper division courses in the sciences, engineering and economics. All courses must have the approval of an advisor prior to enrollment. Students in this option must meet with an advisor in their junior year and file a program form outlining the planned coursework with the Mathematics department.

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.

Total Units in the Major/Option: 64

General Education Units: 36

Additional Units: 20

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