Department of Mathematics and Statistics
750 College of Education Building
404/413-6464
www.mathstat.gsu.edu
Guantao Chen, Chair
Frank Hall , Associate Chair
Michael Stewart, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Igor Belykh, Director of Undergraduate Advisement
All freshmen entering Georgia State University are required to take either the College Entrance Examination Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the assessment of the American College Testing Program (ACT). The results of the test, performance in and time of previous mathematical education, and the student's intended major or career goals are all factors to be considered when registering for any mathematics course. In order to register for courses numbered 1111 or higher, students must make an appropriate score on the mathematics placement test (see Section 1410.10) or have other appropriate prerequisite work. Therefore, students are urged to check the prerequisites for mathematics courses, and the mathematics requirement as listed by their major department/school/institute. Refer any questions to that department/school/ institute or to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Mathematics is one of the great unifying themes in our modern culture. It is a language, a science, an art form, and a tool of tremendous power. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics, in its courses for both majors and non-majors, seeks to introduce students to this vast area of knowledge and to show them how mathematics can be used to solve problems.
The B.S. degree program in mathematics prepares a student for positions in business, industry, and government; a career in the teaching of mathematics at the secondary level; or further study in mathematics or statistics leading to graduate degrees.
Five concentrations are offered within the B.S. degree in mathematics. The concentration in actuarial science prepares a student to work as an actuary. The concentration in computer information systems prepares students for work in the field of management information systems. The concentration in computer science provides education in more scientific aspects of computing. The concentration in managerial sciences provides training in management modeling, problem solving, and computer-assisted decision support/expert systems technologies. Finally, the concentration in statistics prepares students for work as applied statisticians.
Guidelines for minors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics are given after the program descriptions.
In addition to immediate employment, there are opportunities for good students to pursue further study at the graduate level in mathematics, statistics, and other fields.
In 1978, the department initiated a cooperative education program with International Business Machines, Inc. Over the years, the program has expanded to include many other firms. Hundreds of majors have benefited from a co-op experience. Majors have an opportunity for paid work experience related to their area of study. They may also make important contacts that may lead to full-time employment after graduation. The Office of Cooperative Education has been established to coordinate the university's cooperative education programs.
Majors are asked to consider carefully the career objectives they wish to pursue after graduation. A particular career objective may suggest a special choice for the minor or concentration that would prepare one for that career. It also might suggest that a co-op experience would be useful. Faculty who serve as academic advisers for majors can discuss choices and concentrations that are available to majors.
There are no extra fees, scholarships or other expenses outside of regular Georgia State University fees applicable to a B.S. degree in mathematics, other than those associated with teacher preparation (see Sections 1605 and 1610).
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all mathematics courses, including those in the core.
As part of the core curriculum, students must receive credit for the three calculus courses Math 2211, Math 2212, Math 2215, and Discrete Mathematics (Math 2420). (When counting the number of semester hours in Areas A, D, and F, only 3 of the 4 credit hours of each calculus course will be counted in Area A and/or D. The fourth hour, or the "rollover hour," will be counted in Area F.)
In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see section 3030) and the University Degree Requirements (see section 1400).
Areas A-E: Core Curriculum Recommendations
Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major Field (18)
Area G: Major Courses (33)
Area H: Additional Major Courses, Concentrations, Minor, and Electives
See descriptions below as to the specifics of special programs, such as the various concentrations offered. Students earning a B.S. in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics are not required to complete a minor.
Actuarial Science Concentration
An actuary is an executive who uses mathematical and statistical skills to define, analyze, and solve problems of society. Actuaries create and manage programs to reduce the adverse financial impact of the expected and unexpected events that happen to people. They are employed in business, industry, and government.
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics, in cooperation with the actuarial science program in the Department of Risk Management and Insurance, offers the Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics and a concentration in actuarial science. This program provides strong preparation in both mathematics and actuarial science. Students completing this program may request that a suitable annotation be placed on their permanent record.
Students must receive credit for the calculus courses Math 2211, 2212, and 2215 and for Math 2420, CSc 2010, CSc 2310, Econ 2105 and Econ 2106 in the core curriculum Areas A-F or as electives.
Computer Information Systems Concentration
In cooperation with the Department of Computer Information Systems, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics and a concentration in computer information systems. This program provides strong preparation in both mathematics and computer information systems. Students completing this concentration may request that a suitable annotation be placed on their permanent record. They are eligible to receive a certificate signed by the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students must receive credit for the calculus courses Math 2211, 2212, and 2215 and for Math 2420, CSc 2010, and CIS 2010 in the core curriculum Areas A-F or as electives.
Computer Science Concentration
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the Bachelor of Science in mathematics with a concentration in computer science. This program provides strong preparation in both mathematics and computer science. Students completing this program may request that a suitable annotation be placed on their permanent record.
Students must receive credit for the calculus courses Math 2211, 2212, and 2215 and for Math 2420, CSc 2010, and CSc 2310 in core curriculum Areas A-F or as electives.
Managerial Sciences Concentration
In cooperation with the Department of Managerial Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics and a concentration in managerial sciences. In the managerial sciences, students receive training in management modeling, problem solving, and computer-assisted decision support/expert systems technologies. They learn to apply these skills to the functional areas of administration to increase managerial effectiveness and productivity. Managerial sciences training leads to such careers as management consultants; logistics specialists; quality assurance analysts; data analysts/statisticians; and decision support/expert systems builders. Students completing this program may request that a suitable annotation be placed on their permanent record. Students must receive credit for the calculus courses Math 2211, 2212, and 2215 and for Math 2420, CSc 2010, and CSc 2310 in the core curriculum Areas A-F or as electives.
*Students must have satisfied the statistics requirements before enrolling in any Mgs courses.
Statistics Concentration
Statisticians give advice on the statistical design of experiments, conduct surveys, and analyze data. They use computers, often writing their own programs. They collaborate with specialists in fields such as biology, health sciences, medicine, economics, marketing, psychology, and sociology as well as in business and industry. They are employed in business, industry, and government. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a concentration in statistics. Students in this program should select additional courses from a field to which statistics can be applied. Such a selection is called a related field and must be pre-approved by a departmental adviser. Examples of seven related fields are shown in section 4. Students must receive credit for the calculus courses Math 2211, 2212, and 2215 and Math 2420, for CSc 2010, and CSc 2310 in the core curriculum Areas A-F or as electives.
Students choosing to minor in mathematics should complete Math 2212, 2215, and nine hours of additional mathematics courses at the 3000 level or above. There are some restrictions, and course selections must be approved by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Students are urged to consult with members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to determine which courses would be most useful in their major field.