MATHEMATICS

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Page Last Revised on 01/23/2008

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Office:
Science 2 Hall, Third Floor

Department Chair:
David Chien, Ph.D.

Telephone:
(760) 750-8059

Faculty:
Wayne Aitken, Ph.D.
David Chien, Ph.D.
Ricardo D. Fierro, Ph.D.
Farshid Hajir, Ph.D.
Linda Holt, Ph.D.
Andre Kundgen, Ph.D.
Franz Lemmermeyer, Ph.D.
Tejinder Neelon, Ph.D.
Amber Puha, Ph.D.
K. Brooks Reid, Ph.D.
Marshall Whittlesey, Ph.D.

Programs Offered:

Mathematics offers to the undergraduate and graduate students a rich mix of pure and modern applied courses.  Common to these offerings are the power, beauty, and utility of mathematical thought.  Mathematics is a living, vital subject with a long, distinguished tradition. A student who selects the mathe­matics major will develop the ability to explore, to conjecture, and to reason logically, as well as the ability to use effectively a variety of mathematical methods to solve problems.

Opportunities for graduates in mathematics are as diverse as they are plentiful. Mathematicians are sought by universities, governmental agencies, and private industry and they contribute in direct and fundamental ways to human activity. Mathematics majors can pursue a career in the teaching of mathe­matics at the college, high school, or middle school levels. Medical schools, law schools, graduate schools, and employers in fields such as economics, accounting, management sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, computer science, statistics, and communication seek graduates in mathematics. The degree program at Cal State San Marcos prepares its mathe­matics majors to meet any of these challenges.

Preparation

High school students are encouraged to take four years of English, four years of mathematics including trigonometry, one year of biological science, and one year of physical science. Courses in calculus, physics, and computer programming are recommended. Experience in clear, concise, careful writing is valuable for success in all courses.

Transfer Credits

A maximum of thirteen (13) lower-division units in mathematics may be applied toward the lower-division calculus requirement for the mathe­matics major. These units must be for courses which appropriately match the description of this catalog for MATH 160, 162, and 260.

A maximum of seventeen (17) lower-division units may be trans­ferred towards the non-mathematics supporting courses for the major in mathematics. Up to eight (8) of these units may be for courses which appropriately match the description of this catalog for CS 111 and PHYS 201. 

Up to nine (9) units may be for courses which appropriately match the description of this catalog for other courses listed in the non-mathematics supporting course requirement. The Office of Admis­sions should be consulted to ascertain the campus’ articulation agreements with the local commu­nity colleges.

Special Requirements for the Bachelor of Science and Minor in Mathematics

Students may not use a mathematics course for the required three (3) units of upper-division General Education, area B (Mathematical or Natural Sciences).

Each course submitted toward either the mathematics major or minor must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. No more than a total of three (3) units of either MATH 498 or MATH 499 may be applied. No more than three (3) units of MATH 495 may be applied. For the major, a minimum of fifteen (15) upper-division units in mathematics must have been completed at Cal State San Marcos. For the minor, a minimum of six (6) upper-division units in mathematics must have been completed at Cal State San Marcos.

 

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICS

Units

General Education* 51
Preparation for the Major*27-30
Major Requirements34
Students must take a sufficient number of
elective units to bring the total number of
units to a minimum of124

*Six units of lower division General Education units in Area B (Math and Science) are automatically satisfied by courses taken in Preparation for the Major.

Preparation for the Major

Lower-Division Calculus Requirement  (13 units)

Units

MATH 160 5
MATH 162 4
MATH 260 4

Non-Mathematics Supporting
Course Requirements (14-17 units)
CS 111 or equivalent3-4
PHYS 201 4
and
Choose two of the following courses:

BIOL 210 or 2114
CHEM 1505
PHYS 202 4
CS 211 or equivalent3-4
 

Major Requirements

Upper-division (34 units)           

Units

MATH 350 3
MATH 360 3
MATH 372** or 472 or 4743
MATH 374 3
MATH 440 4
MATH 470 3
MATH 490, or 491 or approved
500 level course3

**MATH 522, 523, and 540 can also be used to satisfy this requirement.

Twelve (12) elective units

chosen from the following courses:12
MATH 330MATH 362
MATH 372***
Any mathematics course numbered 410 through 599.

***If not used to satisfy a requirement above.

Single-Subject Preparation Program in Mathematics

Students interested in teaching mathematics at the secondary level may wish to complete the Single-Subject Preparation Program (SSPP) in Mathematics.  A prospective teacher qualifies for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics by completing the SSPP and earning a Bachelor’s degree.  Students interested in the SSPP should consult either their mathematics advisor or the mathematics SSPP Coordinator as soon as possible to obtain detailed information on GPA requirements and the portfolio of work which must be compiled, as well as advice on how to best coordinate completion of the SSPP and the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

Coursework Requirements:

MATH 1605
MATH 1624
MATH 2604
MATH 3303
MATH 3503
MATH 3603
MATH 3743
MATH 4103
MATH 4404
MATH 4703

Choose one of the following courses:3
MATH 262MATH 362

Choose one of the following courses:3
MATH 372MATH 522

Choose one of the following courses:3
MATH 464/CS 464
MATH 480

Choose one of the following courses:3
MATH 472MATH 474
Any mathematics course numbered 410
through 599 approved for the mathematics
majors, and not already used to satisfy a
requirement above3

EDUC 3503

Total Units53

 

MINOR IN MATHEMATICS

Lower-division (9 units)

Units

MATH 1605
MATH 1624

Upper-division (15 units)

Units

MATH 350 or 3703
MATH 374^3

^Math 260 (4 units ) may be substituted for  MATH 374 if MATH 260 is not used as an upper-division elective.

Nine (9) elective units chosen from the
following courses+:9

MATH 330MATH 362
MATH 360MATH 372

Any mathematics course numbered 410 through 599.

+Math 260 (4 units ) may be substituted for an upper-division elective If MATH 260 is not substituted for MATH 374.

Total Units24-25

 

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICS

The Master of Science Program in mathematics at Cal State San Marcos is designed to provide breadth of exposure in the mathematics and to enhance the intellectual attitudes and the analytic skills needed for comprehension, appreciation, creation, and application of mathematics. There is a deliberate, applicable emphasis in the courses in the program, and many courses are delivered in a computerized environment. The program will provide students opportunity for computer enhancement of many mathematical concepts, for learning connections between various areas of mathematics, for developing good mathematical com­munication skills, for developing independent learning skills, and for cooperative group problem solving.

Graduates will be prepared for a wide range of career opportunities, as the skills and attitudes fostered in the program are in demand in academé, business, government, and industry. In particular, graduates will be well-prepared to teach in secondary schools, community colleges, and some four-year colleges.  They will be prepared to enter a doctoral program in mathematics or mathe­matics education. The computational and applicable orientation of the program will offer graduates signi­ficant training for careers as mathematical scientists in business, government, and industry. There will be opportunity, on a limited scale, for students to serve as student assistants for the undergraduate mathematics program or to assist faculty in their scholarly activity.

Admission Requirements and Application

Admission to the program requires an undergraduate major in mathe­matics or related field (such as computer science), which includes the equivalent of MATH 360 and MATH 470.  Admission also requires a 2.5 grade point average in the last sixty (60) units attempted at the undergraduate level, and a 3.0 grade point average in the last thirty (30) units of the undergraduate major. Students who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate status, but the units earned to remove these deficiencies may not be used towards the Cal State San Marcos Master of Science.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, who do not possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a post-secondary institution or a country where English is the principal lan­guage, must take the combined Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL and a minimum of 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the paper-based TOEFL or on the writing portion of the computer-based TOEFL.

A complete application consists of:

Application Materials sent directly to the Admission Office of Cal State San Marcos

Application Materials sent directly to the Mathematics Department (see address below)

Application materials sent directly to the Mathematics Department Administrative Coordinator at: California State University, San Marcos, San Marcos, CA  92096-0001.

Application Deadlines:

Applications, including verification of English proficiency, should be received in the department by:

However, applications will be accepted as long as space allows.

 

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Mathe­matics requires thirty-six (36) units of coursework with an overall of at least 3.0 grade point average. At least twenty-seven (27) of these units must be at the 500-level or above, and any 400-level courses must be approved by the depart­ment. No course, or equivalent, which is required for a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Cal State San Marcos can be used to satisfy these require­ments. At least thirty (30) units towards the degree must be earned at Cal State San Marcos; any units not earned in residence at Cal State San Marcos must be approved by the department. All requirements must be satisfied within five years of initial acceptance into the program.

Two options are available: 

Continuation

Students must earn a 3.0 overall average in graduate coursework in order to
graduate.  Student are limited to a total of three (3) C’s in their graduate coursework. Any student earning four (4) or more C’s will be dropped from the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Upon the completion of at least nine (9) units towards the degree, but prior to the completion of eighteen (18) units towards the degree, the student should meet with the pro­gram advisor in order to develop a formal program of study for the degree. This formal program is an agreement between the student and the University on the specific plan to be followed in order to fulfill the requirements for the degree. If the student opts for the thesis, then it is the responsibility of the student to obtain the permission of a tenured or tenure-track mathematics faculty member to act as the student’s thesis advisor and chair of the student’s thesis committee. The student and thesis advisor should recommend to the program advisor the names of two other tenured or tenure-track mathematics faculty to fill out the thesis committee. The plan of study should include courses remaining to be taken, the names of three faculty composing the thesis committee (if opting for the thesis), and the gene­ral subject of the thesis or project. 

The student is advanced to candidacy for the Master of Science degree upon completion of this plan and completion of eighteen (18) units towards the degree with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Changes in the study plan must be approved by the program advisor and the student’s thesis advisor.  No student may enroll for MATH 699, initiate a project, or sit for a comprehensive exam before being advanced to candidacy.

Thesis or Project Requirements

A thesis is the written result of a systematic study of a significant mathematical problem. It defines, develops, and executes an investiga­tion into a chosen problem area. The motivation, approach, and results of the investigation are communicated in a clear and logical fashion; it is grammatically correct, logically organized, and mathematically sound. The finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, and thorough documentation. The thesis must be planned, organized, executed, and completed while enrolled in the masters program. It must be a coherent, substantial document, appropriate for six (6) units of graduate coursework. Midway during the thesis work, the student shall make an oral presentation to his or her thesis committee on progress to date.

Guidelines for preparing and officially submitting the thesis can be obtained from the Department Chair’s Office. The final copies of the thesis are to be in the hands of the members of the thesis committee at least two weeks prior to a required oral, public defense of the thesis which must be held at least one week prior to the end of a regular semester.

A project is the written result of a comprehensive analysis of a particular mathematical problem encountered during the coursework of the student. The composite elements are as for a thesis, but the scope is more narrow; much like a term paper. The faculty member in the course in which the problem arose will act as the project advisor, and the project must be approved by the program advisor. Examples of projects are expository reports on one or more existing papers in the literature on some topic, the design and implementation of a solution algorithm for a specific problem, or modest research efforts on a suitable topic. A project must be completed at least four weeks prior to the end of a regular semester. An oral presentation of the project to the faculty of the department is required. The presentation should summarize the analysis in a clear and concise manner.

Both the thesis and the project must demonstrate mathematical skills and general scholarship at a level expected of a professional mathematician. Mathematical skills can be demonstrated by the development of new mathematics, critical evaluation of existing mathematics, application of existing mathematics to non-mathematical contexts, or development of mathematical models. General scholarship refers to understanding, organizing, and communicating knowledge relevant to the undertaking in a conventionally acceptable format.

Comprehensive Exam

A comprehensive examination is a written examination administered during the final semester of the student. It is intended as a culminating experience for the masters degree, and it is used to assess the student’s ability to integrate his or her knowledge of mathematics, to think critically and independently, and to demonstrate mastery of the coursework. The problems will reflect the coursework of the student, and the student’s responses will be evaluated both on the basis of logical correctness as well as on written presentation. The examination will be offered as needed at most once each regular semester, at least four weeks prior to the end of the semester. Students intending to write the exam during a given semester must notify the program advisor before the end of the fourth week of that semester.

Graduation

A student planning to graduate at the end of a given regular semester must meet with the program advisor by the end of the student’s previous regular semester in order to evaluate those plans. All pertinent requirements described above concerning courses, the thesis, the project, and the comprehensive exam must be evaluated during this meeting.  Candidates for the degree who attain a grade point average (calculated on work at Cal State San Marcos only) of 3.75 or greater may, upon recommendation of the mathematics faculty, graduate with distinction.