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 residence 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 (31 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 440A Mathematical Statistics I (3)
MATH 440B Mathematical Statistics II (3)
MATH 450A Advanced Calculus I (3)
MATH 462 Advanced Linear Algebra (3)
MATH 483 Mathematical Modeling (3)
MATH 494 Practical Experience in Mathematics (3)

3. Upper Division Electives (9 units)

Choose 9 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 3 units must be in Mathematics. Recommended courses: COMP 431 or COMP 465; FIN 303, FIN 431 or FIN 434; ECON 409; MATH 366, MATH 442, MATH 450B, MATH 480, MATH 481A, MATH 481B, MATH 481C, MATH 481D, MATH 482, MATH 540 or MATH 542ABCD; MKT 346; PSY 420; SOM 409, SOM 467 or SOM 591.

All classes taken outside the Mathematics department must have the approval of an advisor prior to enrollment, and students must either meet prerequisites or obtain permission of instructor.

Note: Early completion of MATH 340 and MATH 440A is recommended. Courses outside the Mathematics department are encouraged.

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