UIS Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic Year 2006 - 2007

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Bachelor of Arts, Undergraduate Minor

Faculty Hei-Chi Chan, Yuichi Iwashita, Mahdi Majidi-Zolbanin, Richard Ringeisen, Carol Saltsgaver, Larry Stonecipher, Chung‑Hsien Sung

Contact: (217) 206-6770,
mat@uis.edu, or www.uis.edu/math/

The mathematical sciences program is designed to meet the ever‑increasing demands for diverse quantitative skills.

The bachelor of arts in mathematical sciences is designed to prepare students for careers using mathematics, operations research, and statistics in the fields of teaching, research, industry, insurance, and management or for graduate study in mathematical sciences or related areas.

By making different choices from technical electives, students can tailor their degrees to prepare for these various careers. Those who plan to teach mathematics or work in engineering or the physical sciences should choose mathematics courses. Those who wish to apply mathematical methods to life sciences, social sciences, or business fields should choose operations research or statistics courses. Any of these choices provide excellent preparation for graduate work in fields that need quantitative skills.

A minor in mathematical sciences augments a student's background in mathematics by increasing knowledge of mathematics, operations research, or statistics -- knowledge that is useful in careers in teaching, research, industry, or management.

There are two options for studying mathematics at UIS: on campus or online. 

THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE
On Campus Program –
Entrance requirements
A. Admission to UIS.
B. Completion of entrance assessment test for majors (given at the beginning of each semester).
C. Matriculation into the mathematical sciences program. Requirements for matriculation are 1) selection of a mathematical sciences faculty adviser, 2) completion of three semesters of calculus (MAT 115, MAT 116, MAT 217), 3) ability to write computer programs in a procedural language, and 4) enrollment in MAT 330 Writing Skills.

Note: Courses taken to satisfy matriculation requirements are not counted as part of the 60 credit hours of upper‑division work needed for graduation. Students may begin work toward a degree before matriculation into the program, but matriculation should be completed before the last 16 semester hours of MAT courses needed for graduation. 

Online Program –
Application requirements
Currently, formal application to both the university and the program is required for admission.
1)  UIS application (See www.uis.edu/admissions)
2)  $40 application fee
3)  Completed 3 semester hours of English composition (as the minimum requirement for UIS admission)

Program entrance requirements
1)  Earned a minimum of 30 credit hours at the lower-division level
2)  GPA of 2.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) from an accredited college or university
3)  Completion of 3 semesters of calculus
4)  Ability to write computer programs in a procedural language
5)  Enrollment in MAT 330 Writing Skills 

Courses taken to satisfy matriculation requirements are not counted as part of the 60 credit hours of upper-division work needed for graduation. Students may begin work toward a degree before matriculation into the program, but matriculation should be completed before the last 16 semester hours of MAT courses needed for graduation.     

Enrollment capacity
The online mathematics program will accept new students each fall and spring semester. For best consideration, students should submit application materials as early as possible prior to the semester in which they would like to attend. Contact the online program coordinator for specific information. 

Program Requirements
Communication Skills Requirement
MAT 330 Writing Skills  0 Hrs.

Required Mathematical Sciences Courses
MAT 332 Linear Algebra  4 Hrs.
MAT 415 Advanced Calculus  4 Hrs.
MAT 431 Mathematical Statistics I  4 Hrs.
MAT 444 Operations Research Methods  4 Hrs.

Total  16 Hrs. 

One of the following clusters:   16 Hrs.

Cluster A
MAT 403 Abstract Algebra  4 Hrs.
MAT 404 Geometry  4 Hrs.
Two MAT elective courses  8 Hrs. 

Cluster B
MAT 421 Statistical Methods  4 Hrs.
MAT 432 Mathematical Statistics II  4 Hrs.
Two MAT elective courses  8 Hrs.      

UIS Requirements   12 Hrs.
General Electives  16 Hrs.

Total     60 Hrs.

Note: Required and elective MAT courses must be taken for a letter grade. The credit/no credit option is not acceptable. 

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES MINOR
To earn a minor in mathematical sciences, students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours, at least 12 hours of which must be upper‑division course work taken at UIS. Transfer credit for lower‑division course work and for upper‑division mathematics courses is evaluated on a case-by-case basis through the student petition process. Core courses include MAT 115 Calculus I, MAT 116 Calculus II, and MAT 332 Linear Algebra, or its equivalent. Students must then select an area of specialization (mathematics, operations research, or statistics) and complete 12 semester hours as follows ‑- 

A. Mathematics specialization requires:
MAT 403 Abstract Algebra   4 Hrs.
MAT 404 Geometry  4 Hrs.
One elective from B or C   4 Hrs.

Total   12 Hrs. 

B. Operations research specialization requires:
MAT 442 Probability Modeling and Computer Simulation  4 Hrs.
MAT 444 Operations Research Methods  4 Hrs.
One elective from A   4 Hrs.

Total  12 Hrs. 

C. Statistics specialization requires:
MAT 421 Statistical Methods  4 Hrs.
MAT 431 Mathematical Statistics I   4 Hrs.
One elective from A    4 Hrs.

Total 12 Hrs. 

Students wishing to minor in mathematical sciences should select an adviser from among the mathematical sciences faculty who will help ensure that all requirements for the minor are met.