Chair and Professor: R. Garimella (PhD), 450-3147
Professors: D. Arrigo (PhD), L. Griffith (PhD), C. Pinchback (PhD)
Associate Professors: G. Bratton (EdD), C. Burg (PhD), S. Butcher (PhD), P. Carmack (PhD), F. Hickling (PhD), L. Le (PhD), W. Liu (PhD), J. McGehee (PhD), C. Watson (EdD)
Assistant Professors: J. Beyerl (PhD), J. Lepak (PhD), J. Martin (PhD), B. Rathinasamy (PhD), M. Thomas (PhD)
Lecturer I: L. Booher (MA)

[1] Purposes

Through programs in mathematics, applied mathematics, and mathematics education, the undergraduate mathematics curriculum furnishes the necessary background for specialization in technical fields, graduate study in mathematics, teaching mathematics at elementary, middle, and secondary levels, and work in business, industry, and government.

[2] Advanced Placement

The Department of Mathematics awards advanced placement credit to students who score at a certain level on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination. Credit for Calculus I is awarded to any student who scores three or higher on the Calculus AB exam. Credit for Calculus I and Calculus II is awarded to any student who scores three or higher on the Calculus BC exam. Credit for Statistical Methods I (MATH 2311) is awarded to any student who scores three or higher on the AP Statistics exam.

[3] The Honors Program in Mathematics

Junior and senior students who have demonstrated superior achievement in all areas, particularly in their mathematics major, may be invited to participate in an advanced honors program. These students engage in investigations in special topics while enrolled in a special problems or research course. The successful completion of these research studies and the recommendation of the department committee (based on written and oral presentation of thesis) make a student eligible to graduate with honors in mathematics as a departmental scholar.

[4] Baccalaureate Degrees

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

LD = Lower Division
UD = Upper Division

C = Effective Communication
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry

R = Responsible Living
Z = Capstone Experience

[4.1] Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in mathematics requires successful completion of at least 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) BA degree requirements; (3) major requirements listed below; and (4) a minor approved by the student’s minor advisor.

[4.1.1] Major in Mathematics (39 hours)

BA Mathematics Core (21 hours)

MATH 1496 Calculus I
MATH 1497 Calculus II
MATH 2335 Transition to Advanced Mathematics
MATH 2471 Calculus III
MATH 3320 Linear Algebra [ UCA Core: I ]
MATH 4371 Introduction to Probability Theory [ UCA Core: R ]

Required Courses (12 hours)

MATH 3331 Ordinary Differential Equations [ UCA Core: C ]
MATH 3360 Abstract Algebra I
MATH 3362 Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4362 Advanced Calculus I [ UCA Core: Z ]

Choose Two Electives (6 hours)

MATH 4305 Applied Mathematics I
MATH 4315 Partial Differential Equations
MATH 4330 Mathematical Modeling in Biology
MATH 4340 Numerical Methods
MATH 4363 Advanced Calculus II
MATH 4372 Introduction to Statistics Inference
MATH 4374 Introduction to Stochastic Processes
MATH 4375 Introduction Topology I
MATH 4385 Complex Analysis

BA Degree Requirement: Complete three semester hours of a foreign language at the 2000-level or above.

[4.1.2] Minor in Mathematics (17 hours)

See Minors, § 4.3, below

[4.2] Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in mathematics requires successful completion of at least 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) major requirements listed below; and (3) a minor approved by the student’s minor advisor.

The BS Program in Mathematics at the University of Central Arkansas is designed to meet the needs of students who pursue careers in teaching, business, government, and advanced studies. Several tracks in Pure, Applied, STEM Teach Mathematics Education, STEM Teach Pure Math, and STEM Teach Applied Math offer students a variety of pathways to achieve their educational and career goals.

[4.2.1] BS Mathematics Core Requirements (21 hours)

All tracks of the BS in Mathematics require completion of a 21-hour core consisting of the following courses.

[4.2.2] Pure Mathematics Track (39 hours)

This is a standard pure math track, offering excellent preparation that integrates critical thinking and problem solving and culminates in a mastery of mathematical skills needed to succeed in careers in business, government, industry, or advanced studies. This track requires a minor.

In addition to the mathematics core, this track needs the following:

Required Courses (12 hours)

MATH 3331 Ordinary Differential Equations [ UCA Core: C ]
MATH 3360 Abstract Algebra I
MATH 3362 Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4362 Advanced Calculus I [ UCA Core: Z ]

Choose Two Electives (6 hours)

MATH 4305 Applied Mathematics I
MATH 4306 Applied Mathematics II [ UCA Core: Z ]
MATH 4315 Partial Differential Equations
MATH 4316 Fundamentals of Applied Mathematics for Fluid and Granular Materials
MATH 4330 Mathematical Modeling in Biology
MATH 4340 Numerical Methods
MATH 4363 Advanced Calculus II
MATH 4372 Introduction to Statistics Inference
MATH 4373 Regression Analysis
MATH 4374 Introductions to Stochastic Processes
MATH 4375 Introduction Topology I
MATH 4385 Complex Analysis

[4.2.3] Applied Mathematics Track (49-51 hours)

This is a standard applied math track, offering excellent preparation that integrates technology, critical thinking, and problem solving and culminates in a mastery of mathematical skills needed to succeed in careers in business, government, industry, or advanced studies. Students pursuing this track should choose PHYS 1440, PHYS 1441, or CHEM 1450 to satisfy the UCA Core physical science requirement. This could help reduce the ancillary requirements, given below, by four credit hours. A student in this track who chooses the economics minor will automatically satisfy the ancillary requirements by taking ECON 2320 and ECON 2321.

This track requires a minor.

In addition to the mathematics core, this track needs the following:

Required Courses (16 hours)

Choose Two Electives (6 hours)

MATH 4315 Partial Differential Equations
MATH 4316 Fundamentals of Applied Mathematics for Fluid and Granular Materials
MATH 4330 Mathematical Modeling in Biology
MATH 4340 Numerical Methods
MATH 4373 Regression Analysis

Ancillary Requirements (6–8 hours)

PHYS 1410 and 1420 OR
PHYS 1441 and 1442 OR
CHEM 1450 and 1451 OR
ECON 2320 and 2321

[4.2.4] STEMteach Mathematics Education Track (49 hours)

This is a standard mathematics education track, offering excellent preparation for middle or high school teacher licensure in mathematics. This track requires the 26-hour STEM Teach minor. This program integrates technology, critical thinking and problem solving, and internship experiences and culminates in a mastery of mathematical skills needed to succeed as a middle or secondary school teacher.

In addition to the mathematics core, this track needs the following:

Required Courses (28 hours)

MATH 2441 Mathematical Computation
MATH 3360 Abstract Algebra I
MATH 3354 Concepts of Discrete Mathematics OR MATH 2330 Discrete Structures I
MATH 3370 Mathematics in Secondary Schools
MATH 4301 Secondary Mathematics Methods [ UCA Core: C ]
MATH 4313 Functions and Modeling
MATH 4345 College Geometry
MATH 4372 Introduction to Statistical Inference OR MATH 3311 Statistical Methods II
MATH X3XX Upper Division Math Elective

[4.2.5] STEMteach Pure Mathematics Track (42 hours)

The degree plans for candidates in this track offer the same rigorous preparation for graduate or professional schools and will not take any longer to complete than the regular pure mathematics track and will provide mathematics majors an extra career opportunity in teaching. Two electives needed in the regular pure mathematics track will be replaced by MATH 4345 and MATH 4372. A 3-credit hour course, MATH 4313 Functions and Modeling, has been added to the track. However, the number of hours required to complete this new track will be within the 120 hours as mandated by Arkansas Act 747. The track requires the STEM Teach minor.

In addition to the mathematics core, this track needs the following:

Required Courses (21 hours)

MATH 3331 Ordinary Differential Equations [ UCA Core: C ]
MATH 3360 Abstract Algebra I
MATH 3362 Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4345 College Geometry
MATH 4362 Advanced Calculus I [ UCA Core: Z ]
MATH 4372 Introduction to Statistical Inference
MATH 4313 Functions and Modeling

[4.2.6] STEMteach Applied Mathematics Track (52–54 hours)

The degree plans for candidates in this track offer the same rigorous preparation for graduate or professional schools and will not take any longer to complete than the regular applied mathematics track and will provide mathematics majors an extra career opportunity in teaching. It will replace one of the two electives needed in the Applied Mathematics track with MATH 4345 and restricts the other elective to one of three courses – MATH 4315 or MATH 4340 or MATH 4373. A 3-credit hour course, MATH 4313 Functions and Modeling, has been added to the track. However, the number of hour required to complete this new track will be within the 120 hours as mandated by the Arkansas Act 747. The track requires the STEM Teach minor.

In addition to the mathematics core, this track needs the following:

Required Courses (25 hours)

MATH 2441 Mathematical Computation
MATH 3331 Ordinary Differential Equations [ UCA Core: C ]
MATH 4305 Applied Mathematics I
MATH 4306 Applied Mathematics II [ UCA Core: Z ]
MATH 4345 College Geometry
MATH 4372 Introduction to Statistical Inference
MATH 4313 Functions and Modeling
MATH 4315 Partial Differential Equations OR Math 4340 Numerical Methods OR MATH 4373 Regression Analysis

Ancillary Requirements (6–8 hours)

PHYS 1410 and 1420 OR
PHYS 1441 and 1442 OR
CHEM 1450 and 1451 OR
ECON 2320 and 2321

Note: Students who prefer to take either physics or chemistry courses listed above to fulfill their ancillary requirements will need to enroll in either PHYS 1410, PHYS 1441, or CHEM 1450 to satisfy one of their Natural Sciences requirement in the UCA Core to be within the 120 hours to graduate as mandated by Arkansas Act 747.

[4.3] Minors

[4.3.1] Minor in Mathematics (17 hours)

Required courses (14 hours)

MATH 1496 Calculus I
MATH 1497 Calculus II
MATH 2335 Transition to Advanced Mathematics
MATH 3360 Abstract Algebra I

Choose one Elective (3 hours)

MATH 2471 Calculus III
MATH 3320 Linear Algebra [ UCA Core: I ]
MATH 3331 Ordinary Differential Equations [ UCA Core: C ]
MATH 3362 Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4340 Numerical Methods
MATH 4371 Introduction to Probability Theory [ UCA Core: R ]
MATH 4375 Introduction Topology I
MATH 4385 Complex Analysis

Required Courses (11 hours)

MATH 1496 Calculus I
MATH 1497 Calculus II
MATH 3320 Linear Algebra [ UCA Core: I ]

Choose two Electives (6 hours)

MATH 2471 Calculus III
MATH 3331 Ordinary Differential Equations [ UCA Core: C ]
MATH 3360 Abstract Algebra I (Prerequisite: MATH 2335)
MATH 3362 Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4305 Applied Mathematics I
MATH 4340 Numerical Methods
MATH 4371 Introduction to Probability Theory [ UCA Core: R ]
MATH 4375 Introduction Topology I
MATH 4385 Complex Analysis

[4.3.2] Minor in Statistics (18 hours)

Required Courses (18 hours)

MATH 2311 Elementary Statistics I
MATH 3311 Elementary Statistics II
MATH 3320 Linear Algebra (Prerequisite: MATH 1497) [ UCA Core: I ]
MATH 4371 Introduction to Probability Theory (Prerequisite: MATH 1497) [ UCA Core: R ]
MATH 4372 Introduction to Statistical Inference
MATH 4373 Regression Analysis

[5] Graduate Degrees in Mathematics

See Graduate Bulletin.

[6] Course Links

[6.1] Courses in Mathematics (MATH)

Follow this link for MATH course descriptions: course link.

[6.2] Transitional Courses in Mathematics (UNIV)

See University College Courses for transitional courses in mathematics.