MAJOR - MATHEMATICS
Department of Mathmatics
Department Mission: The Mathematics and Physics Department endeavors to help students understand those disciplines as integral parts of liberal arts and sciences. We seek to provide all students with an understanding of mathematical language and ideas, which will enable them to better handle abstract reasoning and quantitative manipulation. We also strive to give our students an appreciation of the fundamental laws that reflect the order and beauty of the physical world. In so doing, we acquaint them with the amazingly beautiful results the language of mathematics achieves when used to express the patterns found in the natural world—which are, in Catholic thought, manifestations of divinity. By holding our students to the highest standards we prepare them to pursue higher studies and careers with discipline, integrity, and virtue. We recognize that the qualities we want students to emulate are best taught by our setting the example through our own conduct. Since an outlook rooted in the understanding of Mathematics and Physics is crucial in assessing many of the issues facing the world today, we strive to give our students the tools of critical analysis that will enable them to participate in public discourse as responsible citizens and to promote the common good.
Departmental Goals: Students who acquire a B. S. in mathematics will be well versed in the fundamentals of various branches of higher mathematics. They will be suitably poised to pursue graduate studies or to begin a professional career in the many fields that employ personnel with mathematical training. The B.A. in Mathematics offers students a more diverse program of study, consistent with the aims of liberal arts education. With a greater choice of free electives, the Mathematics major appeals to a broad spectrum of students with varying interests.
The department strongly encourages mathematics majors to complete a minor in an area of interest. This exposes students to the commonalities between mathematics and other bodies of knowledge and equips Mathematics majors to pursue interdisciplinary graduate studies or careers anchored in Mathematics.
The department also offers mathematics courses for non-majors to help students achieve proficiency in both theoretical and applied mathematical thinking. For students seeking an enhanced mathematical foundation, the minor program introduces the basics of higher-level mathematics. In addition to an intellectual enrichment, a better grasp of mathematical reasoning helps students mature into members of society who possess the quantitative means to make sense of, function in, and act upon the world they inhabit.
The department also offers physics and physical science courses designed to teach students the essential laws and principles that explain and/or predict a wide variety of natural phenomena. These courses impart the empirical and conceptual methodologies that define scientific epistemology. An understanding of physical laws sheds light on the building blocks of the natural world and, as such, is helpful in understanding all animate and inanimate systems encountered in other branches of science. The content and the methods taught in these courses help to mold a mindset capable of using a rationalist framework for questioning received wisdom and formulating new ideas.
B. S. in Mathematics (Traditional Students):
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must have completed MA 201, and must have earned a grade of “C” or better.
In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:
- MA 152 - Trigonometry (or demonstrated proficiency in the subject)
Major requirements:
Each of the following:
- MA 201 - Calculus I
- MA 202 - Calculus II
- MA 203 - Calculus III
- MA 208 - Statistics
- MA 222 - Discrete Mathematics
- MA 311 - Elementary Linear Algebra
- MA 419 - Modern Algebra
- MA 430 - Real Analysis
- MA 490 - Senior Seminar I
- MA 491 - Senior Seminar II
Any three (3) from following:
- MA 235 - History of Mathematics
- MA 305 - Advanced Statistics
- MA 321 - Differential Equations
- MA 335 - Advanced Calculus
- MA 340 - Numerical Analysis
- MA 405 - Topology
- MA 410 - Elementary Number Theory
- MA 415 - Partial Differential Equations
- MA 420 - Geometry
- MA 435 - Complex Analysis
- CS 325 - Logic and Algorithms
- CS 361 - Computer Modeling and Simulation
Other Courses
Students complete one of the following course combinations to meet the remainder of the 120 hours required for the degree:
- PY 101 and PY 102 with 22-25 hours of General Elective hours.
- CH 105 and CH 106 with 22-25 hours of General Elective hours.
- Two lab-based Biology courses at the 200 level or higher (8) with 22-25 hours of General Elective hours.
- CS 201 and CS 234 with 23-26 hours of General Elective hours.
NOTE: Although an internship is not required, it is strongly recommended.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
B. A. in Mathematics (Traditional Students):
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must have completed MA 201, and must have earned a grade of “C” or better.
In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:
- MA 152 - Trigonometry (or demonstrated proficiency in the subject)
Major requirements:
Each of the following:
- MA 201 - Calculus I
- MA 202 - Calculus II
- MA 203 - Calculus III
- MA 208 - Statistics
- MA 222 - Discrete Mathematics
- MA 311 - Elementary Linear Algebra
- MA 321 - Differential Equations
- MA 419 - Modern Algebra
- MA 430 - Real Analysis
- MA 490 - Senior Seminar I
- MA 490 - Senior Seminar II
Any two (2) of the following:
- MA 235 - History of Mathematics
- MA 305 - Advanced Statistics
- MA 321 - Differential Equations
- MA 335 - Advanced Calculus
- MA 340 - Numerical Analysis
- MA 405 - Topology
- MA 410 - Elementary Number Theory
- MA 415 - Partial Differential Equations
- MA 420 - Geometry
- MA 435 - Complex Analysis
- CS 325 - Logic and Algorithms
- CS 361 - Computer Modeling and Simulation
Other Courses:
NOTE: Although an internship is not required, it is strongly recommended.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Minor in Mathematics:
Each of the following
- MA 201 - Calculus I
- MA 202 - Calculus II
And either:
- Any two (2) 200- or higher level mathematics courses and one (1) 300- or higher level mathematics course OR Any one (1) 200- or higher level mathematics course, one 300- or higher level mathematics course, and CS 325 (Logic and Algorithms)
The preponderance of the hours above MA 201 must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.
Minor in Physics-Mathematics:
- MA 201 Calculus I
- PY 201 Calculus-based Physics I
- PY 202 Calculus-based Physics II
- PY 303 Calculus-based Physics III
- And either MA 202 Calculus II or MA 208 Statistics
The preponderance of the hours above MA 201 must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Mathematics Education
Belmont Abbey College does not offer a degree in Mathematics Education. The following courses offered by our Department of Education, however, may be useful for Mathematics students interested in a teaching career.
- ED 300 Introduction to Education
- ED 399 Diversity in Education
- ED 305 Introduction to the Exceptional Child
Faculty:
Stephen Brosnan – Associate Professor of Math/Physics
B.A., University of Colorado
M.S., University of Michigan
Dr. Lesley O’Connor – Assistant Professor of Mathematics
B.S., University of London
M.A., University of California at Los Angeles
Ph.D., University of California at Los Angeles
Dr. Igor Strugar – Chair and Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S., University of Montenegro
M.S., University of Belgrade
Ph.D., University of Toledo
Dr. Rajive Tiwari – Professor of Physics; Coordinator of Math/Physics Minor; and Chair of the Mathematics and Natural Science Division
B.S., St. Stephens College
M.S., Rutgers University
Ph.D., Rutgers University
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