Mathematics and Statistics

• FACULTY
• LEARNING AIMS
• MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS
• MAJOR IN STATISTICS
• INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS
• INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR IN STATISTICS
• MINORS IN MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
  • Minor in Mathematics
  • Minor in Statistics
  • COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FACULTY

Chair: Dipa Sarkar-Dey, Associate Professor

Professors: John C. Hennessey (emeritus); Richard F. McCoart, Jr. (emeritus); Christopher H. Morrell; Timothy Law Snyder; Anne L. Young (emerita)

Associate Professors: Helen Christensen, R.S.M. (emerita); William Ethan Duckworth; Michael P. Knapp; Lisa A. Oberbroeckling; William D. Reddy (emeritus); Dipa Sarkar-Dey; Jiyuan Tao

Assistant Professors: Richard E. Auer; Timothy B. P. Clark; Daniel S. Heinz; James Roche, Jr.; Mili Shah

Instructor: Herbert L. Tracey, Jr.

Affiliate Faculty: Verena M. Brown; Bruno G. Kamdem; Amanda Lattimore; Robert E. McKee; Jill L. Peregino; Michael F. Schneider

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In keeping with the mission of Loyola University Maryland, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics strives for excellence in education. The department offers two majors: one in mathematics and the other in statistics. The department's goal is to open students' minds to the power, beauty, and utility of mathematics and statistics and to develop their conceptual understanding, problem solving ability, and analytical thinking skills. The department's faculty is strongly committed to undergraduate teaching and to giving mathematics and statistics majors a solid and broad-based foundation for a variety of careers, as well as for graduate study. Faculty members conduct research in their fields of specialty and also keep abreast of curricular reform and creative uses of technology.

A double major requires the student to complete the requirements of each major (note that students cannot double major in mathematics and statistics). Interdisciplinary majors allow students to combine interests in two different disciplines. An interdisciplinary major may be designed with the assistance of the student's academic advisor.

LEARNING AIMS

• Compute accurately using algebra, calculus, and technology
• Understand and write proofs of theorems
• Engage in learning, both individually and with others, through reading, listening, observing, and doing
• Apply reason, intuition, and imagination to problem solving in mathematical and statistical contexts both clearly and effectively.
• Read and interpret data and data summaries and apply statistical methods to develop supporting evidence for arguments
• Use technology to gather, process, and communicate information and be able to write computer programs, including the use of subroutines, to perform quantitative tasks

MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS

Bachelor of Science

Requirements for a major and an example of a typical program of courses are listed below. Students with advanced placement credit may visit the department website for a suggested sequence of courses.

Freshman Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

Sophomore Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

Junior Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

Senior Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

* Required for major.

** Terms may be interchanged.

*** See Note 4.

† Natural science core for mathematics majors.

1. Beginning Courses: MA251, MA252, and ST210 give a first exposure to the development of good mathematical problem solving skills and the use of the computer in mathematics. These courses must be taken prior to any intermediate ones. Advanced placement is possible for incoming freshmen through the CLEP and advanced placement tests. See department chair for details.
2. Intermediate Courses: MA301, MA304, MA351, and MA395 build on the maturity developed in the beginning courses. They are designed to bring problem solving and mathematical thinking to a higher, more rigorous level and to expose students to the wide variety of mathematics in use today.
3. Advanced Courses: Eight MA/ST400-level courses (six for secondary education) chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Selections depend on the student's mathematical interests and career goals. It may not be necessary to take all intermediate courses before beginning an advanced course. Check the prerequisites for the desired course. It is important that students discuss their options with their advisor to plan for the advanced courses that are right for them.
4. Computer Skills: Mathematics majors with enhanced computer skills find a wider job market open to them. However, students cannot consider their computer skills truly "marketable" having only taken CS201. CS202 offers students the opportunity to learn the complete syntax of a computer language and gives them the necessary experience to become proficient programmers. All majors are urged to consider taking CS202. Majors are required to take one or two courses in the professional software of mathematicians and statisticians: MA402 and possibly ST365.
5. Concentrations/Required Advanced Courses: Requirements for the five available concentrations are listed below. Upon selecting a concentration, each student will be assigned an advisor responsible for counseling, approving course choices, and monitoring progress. All mathematics majors must complete an advanced, full-year sequence. The four advanced, full-year sequences include: Analysis I/II, Algebraic Structures I/II, Operations Research and Stochastic Processes, and Analysis I and Complex Analysis.

General Mathematics: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Analysis I, Algebraic Structures I, MATLAB Programming in Mathematics, and one full-year sequence.

Applied Mathematics: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Analysis I, MATLAB Programming in Mathematics, and one full-year sequence. Students are also required to take four courses in a single applied discipline. This discipline must be within business or a natural, life, or social science. Students are required to take either Computer Science II or Numerical Analysis.

Operations Research: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Analysis I, MATLAB Programming in Mathematics, Operations Research, Stochastic Processes, Advanced Linear Algebra, and Experimental Research Methods. Elements of Statistical Theory I may be substituted for Experimental Research Methods. One economics course and either Computer Science II or Numerical Analysis are also required.

Pure Mathematics: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Analysis I/II, Algebraic Structures I/II, and MATLAB Programming in Mathematics.

Secondary Education: Six advanced MA/ST courses including: Analysis I; Algebraic Structures I; Geometry; MATLAB Programming in Mathematics; and one of the following: Analysis II or Algebraic Structures II or Complex Analysis or Advanced Linear Algebra. Algebraic Structures I and Advanced Linear Algebra serve as a sequence for students concentrating in secondary education. Students are also required to fulfill the secondary education requirements.

6. Students must complete the diversity requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).

MAJOR IN STATISTICS

The objective of the major in statistics is to provide students interested in data analysis, designing research studies, and model fitting with a sound foundation in statistics, mathematics, and computing. The major will enable the student to begin a career as a statistician or an actuary or to be accepted into a graduate program in statistics.

Bachelor of Science

Requirements for a major and an example of a typical program of courses are listed below. Students with advanced placement credit may visit the department website for a suggested sequence of courses.

Freshman Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

Sophomore Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

Junior Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

Senior Year

Fall Term

Spring Term

* Required for major.

** Terms may be interchanged.

*** See Note 4.

† Natural science core for statistics majors.

1. Beginning Courses: ST210 gives a first exposure to statistics, while MA251 and MA252 provide the foundational mathematics skills that will be required in advanced statistics and mathematics courses. These courses must be taken prior to any intermediate ones. Advanced placement is possible for incoming freshmen through the CLEP and advanced placement tests. See department chair for details. CS201 provides the foundation for the use of computing in statistics.
2. Intermediate Courses: MA301, MA351, and MA395 build on the mathematical maturity developed in the beginning courses. They are designed to bring problem solving and mathematical thinking to a higher, more rigorous level and to continue to develop the mathematics skills and tools necessary to master the advanced courses.
3. Advanced Courses: Eight MA/ST400-level courses chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Selections depend on the student's interests and career goals. It may not be necessary to take all intermediate courses before beginning an advanced course. Check the prerequisites for the desired course. It is important that students discuss their options with their advisor to plan for the advanced courses that are right for them. ST461 and ST465 are required of all statistics majors. The remaining six 400-level courses are chosen from the following courses (depending on the concentration selected): MA402, ST462, ST466, MA481, MA485/ST485, ST471, and ST472. In addition, up to two of the six 400-level course may be selected from MA421, MA427, and MA445.
4. Computer Skills: Statistics majors with enhanced computer skills find a wider job market open to them. However, students cannot consider their computer skills truly "marketable" having only taken CS201. CS202 offers students the opportunity to learn the complete syntax of a computer language and gives them the necessary experience to become proficient programmers. Students concentrating in mathematical statistics and general statistics are urged to consider taking CS202. Students concentrating in actuarial sciences are urged to consider taking IS251. Statistics majors are required to take one or two courses in the professional software of statisticians: ST365 and possibly ST366 (depending on concentration). Statistics majors may also elect to take MA402.
5. Concentrations/Required Advanced Courses: Requirements for the three available concentrations are listed below. Upon selecting a concentration, each student will be assigned an advisor responsible for counseling, approving course choices, and monitoring progress. All statistics majors must complete an advanced, full-year sequence. The two advanced, full-year sequences are: Elements of Statistical Theory I/II; Experimental Research Methods and Experimental Design.

Actuarial Sciences: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Elements of Statistical Theory I/II and Experimental Research Methods. Students are required to take Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Laboratory, Microeconomic Principles, Macroeconomic Principles, Financial Accounting, and Financial Management. Information Systems (IS251) is strongly recommended as an elective for students in the actuarial science concentration.

General Statistics: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Elements of Statistical Theory I, Experimental Research Methods, and Elements of Statistical Theory II or Experimental Design. Students are required to take Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Laboratory and Statistical Computing using R. Computer Science II (CS202) is strongly recommended as an elective for students in the statistics concentrations.

Mathematical Statistics: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Elements of Statistical Theory I/II, Experimental Research Methods, and Experimental Design. Students are required to take Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Laboratory and Statistical Computing using R. Computer Science II (CS202) is strongly recommended as an elective for students in the statistics concentrations.

6. Students must complete the diversity requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).

INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS

An interdisciplinary major may be arranged between mathematics and another discipline. Students planning an interdisciplinary major must contact each department to review the requirements for that department. The following courses are required for the mathematics component of the interdisciplinary major:

• CS201 Computer Science I
• MA251 Calculus I
• MA252 Calculus II
• MA301 Introduction to Linear Algebra
• MA351 Calculus III
• ST210 Introduction to Statistics or
• ST265 Biostatistics

Note: Computer Science II (CS202) is strongly recommended as an elective.

In addition to the courses listed above, students select one of the tracks below:

Differential Equations/Mathematical Modeling Track

• MA304 Ordinary Differential Equations
• MA421 Analysis I

In addition, select three of the following courses:

• MA402 MATLAB Programming in Mathematics
• MA424 Complex Analysis
• MA427 Numerical Analysis
• MA445 Advanced Linear Algebra
• MA481 Operations Research
• MA490 Special Topics in Mathematics (when applicable)
• ST461 Elements of Statistical Theory I: Distributions

Discrete/Algorithmic Track

• MA395 Discrete Methods
• MA441 Algebraic Structures I and/or
• ST461 Elements of Statistical Theory I: Distributions

In addition, select two of the following courses:

• MA402 MATLAB Programming in Mathematics
• MA421 Analysis I
• MA431 Geometry
• MA442 Algebraic Structures II
• MA445 Advanced Linear Algebra
• MA447 Number Theory
• MA481 Operations Research
• MA485 Stochastic Processes (or ST485)
• MA490 Special Topics in Mathematics (when applicable)

INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR IN STATISTICS

An interdisciplinary major may be arranged between statistics and another discipline. Students planning an interdisciplinary major must contact each department to review the requirements for that department. The following courses are required for the statistics component of the interdisciplinary major:

• CS201 Computer Science I
• MA251 Calculus I
• MA252 Calculus II
• MA301 Introduction to Linear Algebra
• MA351 Calculus III
• MA395 Discrete Methods
• ST210 Introduction to Statistics or
• ST265 Biostatistics
• ST365 Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Laboratory
• ST461 Elements of Statistical Theory I: Distributions
• ST465 Experimental Research Methods

Note: Computer Science II (CS202) and Statistical Computing Using R (ST366) are strongly recommended as electives.

In addition, select two of the following courses:

• MA445 Advanced Linear Algebra
• ST485 Stochastic Processes (or MA485)
• ST462 Elements of Statistical Theory II: Inference
• ST466 Experimental Design
• ST471 Statistical Quality Control
• ST472 Applied Multivariate Analysis
• ST491 Special Topics in Statistics

MINORS IN MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

The department offers two types of minors: one in mathematics, the other in statistics. The focus of the minor can take many directions depending on the MA/ST courses selected. Students pursuing a minor should discuss their academic and career interests with a department faculty member.

Minor in Mathematics

Requirements for the minor are a minimum of six, three- or four-credit MA/ST courses including: MA251 and MA252. All remaining MA/ST courses are to be taken at or above the 200-level.

Students graduating with a degree in a natural science, computer science, or engineering must take two MA/ST400-level courses. They may replace one MA/ST400-level course with two MA/ST200- or 300-level courses, totaling seven courses for the minor.

Students graduating with a degree in the social sciences or humanities must take one MA/ST400-level course. They may count ST110 as one of the six courses; however, they should consider taking ST210 instead of ST110.

Students graduating with a degree in business must take MA301, ST210 or EC220, and one MA/ST400-level course as three of the six courses. They must also take one other MA/ST300- or 400-level course or EC405 or EC420 or EC425. (Note: EC420 and ST465 may not both count towards the six courses.)

Minor in Statistics

Requirements for a minor are ST365 and a minimum of six, three- or four-credit MA/ST courses including MA251, MA252, and ST465. The remaining courses are to be taken from MA301, MA481, MA485/ST485, ST210 or ST265 or ST381/EG381, ST461, ST462, ST466, ST471, ST472. Those graduating with a degree in the social sciences or humanities may also count ST110.