Department of Mathematics

[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 Elementary Statistics (MATH 2311) is awarded to any student who scores three or higher on the AP Statistics exam.

[3] Honors in Mathematics

Students who major in Mathematics and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

[4] Baccalaureate Degree

[4.1] Bachelor of Science

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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.

Mathematics Pathways: First-time, first-year students majoring in Mathematics enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390. Students with an ACT Math subscore between 22 and 26 should enroll in MATH 1486 Calculus Preparation. Students with an ACT Math subscore of 27 or greater should enroll in MATH 1496 Calculus I.

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—Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, STEMteach Mathematics Education, STEMteach Pure Math, and STEMteach Applied Math—offer students a variety of pathways to achieve their educational and career goals.

[4.1.1] BS Mathematics Core Requirements (25 hours)

All tracks of the BS in Mathematics require completion of a 25-hour core consisting of the following courses.

Note 1

[4.1.2] Pure Mathematics Track (43 hours)

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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)

Choose Two Electives (6 hours)

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

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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 (12 hours)

Choose Two Electives (6 hours)

Ancillary Requirements (6–8 hours)

[4.1.4] STEMteach Mathematics Education Track (49 hours)

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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 STEMteach 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 requires the following:

Required Courses (24 hours)

[4.1.5] STEMteach Pure Mathematics Track (50 hours)

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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 STEMteach minor.

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

Required Courses (21 hours)

[4.1.6] STEMteach Applied Mathematics Track (49–51 hours)

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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 STEMteach minor.

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

Required Courses (18 hours)

Ancillary Requirements (6–8 hours)

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.

[4.1.7] Data Science Track (52-54 hours)

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Over the last two decades, computing speed, memory, and storage has risen dramatically. Even small businesses have started collecting and analyzing metrics to streamline their processes, identify emerging markets, and make financial forecasts. As a result, there is a huge demand for data analysts both in private and public sectors.

The Data Science track prepares students to meet this demand by equipping them with the computing, statistical, analytical, and business skills needed in the field of data science. This mixed toolset enables students to analyze a wide variety of data sets using appropriate statistical methods, and to convey their findings in plain English so that the business analysts can make well-informed decisions. This track requires a minor (a minor in computer science is recommended).

In addition to 22 hours of mathematics core courses, this track requires the following:

Required Data Science Track Courses (15 hours)

Electives (9 hours required, chosen from the courses list below)

At least two elective courses must be selected from the following: MATH 3381, MATH 3391, MATH 4372, MATH 4374, MATH 4392, or MATH 4381 when the topic is statistics.

Electives for Ancillary Requirement (6-8 hours)

Students are required to select one of the following pairs of courses:

Minor: Computer Science is strongly encouraged.

[4.2] Minors

[4.2.1] Minor in Mathematics (17 hours)

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EITHER

Required courses (14 hours)

Choose one Elective (3 hours)

OR

Required Courses (11 hours)

Choose two Electives (6 hours)

[4.2.2] Minor in Statistics (18 hours)

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Required Courses (18 hours)

[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 Transitional Courses (UNIV) for transitional courses in mathematics.