Concentrations

DePaul University - Department of Mathematical Sciences

To find out more about a particular concentration, select from the list below:

MAJOR CONCENTRATIONS:

Pure Mathematics
Actuarial Science
Statistics
Teacher of Mathematics: Secondary Level
Mathematical Computer Studies
Quantitative Analysis and Operations Research

PURE MATHEMATICS

The concentration in pure mathematics is intended for any student who enjoys mathematics and wishes a solid background in the core areas of the subject. The concentration is especially intended for students thinking of continuing the study of mathematics, statistics, economics, or finance at the graduate level.

Requirements: COMMON CORE plus

three courses chosen from MAT 310-311 Abstract Algebra I and II and MAT 335-336 Real Analysis I and II;
three additional mathematics courses chosen from MAT 303 Theory of Numbers (formerly known as MAT 230); MAT 302 Combinatorics (formerly known as MAT 240); MAT 372 Logic and Set Theory; 311-312 Abstract Algebra II and III; MAT 336 Real Analysis II; MAT 337 Complex Analysis; MAT 370 Advanced Linear Algebra; MAT 320-321 Geometry I and II; MAT 340 Topology; MAT 301 History of Mathematics; MAT 338 Differential Equations; MAT 351-2-3 Probability and Statistics I, II, and III; MAT 348 Applied Statistical Methods; MAT 385-386 Numerical Analysis.

Note: Students interested in graduate study in mathematics are encouraged to take both sequences 310-311-312 and 335-336-337. Students interested in graduate study in economics or finance are encouraged to take 351-352-353 and 335-336.

Click here for a detailed program of study for the pure mathematics concentration.

ACTUARIAL SCIENCE

The actuarial science concentration is intended for undergraduate students who wish to obtain the background necessary to operate at the highest mathematical levels in the insurance industry, in the quantification of risk and the management of investments. Students desiring to continue to obtain a master's degree in actuarial science from DePaul University should consider following the program for the combined B.S./M.S. degree program in Applied Mathematics: Actuarial Science Concentration, which may be completed in about five years.

Requirements: COMMON CORE plus

Mathematics 351-2-3 Probability and Statistics I, II, III;
Mathematics 361-2-3 Actuarial Science I, II, III.

Recommended allied field courses: Accountancy 101: Introduction to Accounting I; Business Law 201: Legal and Ethical Aspects in the Business Environment; Economics 105-106: Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics; Finance 310: Financial Management I; Finance 330: Investments: Securities and Markets; a computer programming course such as CSC Introduction to Structured Programming Using C++ or CSC 240 Personal Computing for Programmers.

Additional recommended mathematics courses: Mathematics 355 Stochastic Processes; Mathematics 356 Applied Linear Regression; Mathematics 358 Applied Time Series and Forecasting, Mathematics 385 Numerical Analysis I; Mathematics 387 Operations Research I.

Click here for a detailed program of study for the actuarial science concentration.

STATISTICS

The statistics concentration is intended for undergraduate mathematics students who seek training to prepare for careers involving the analysis and interpretation of data. Students who wish to pursue graduate study in statistics may choose between a theoretical and an applied track. Further, students desiring to continue to obtain a master's degree in statistics at DePaul University should consider the combined B.S./M.S. degree program in Applied Mathematics with a concentration in Statistics or the combined B.S./M.S. degree program in Applied Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science. Either of these may be completed in about five years.

Requirements: COMMON CORE plus

351, 352, 353 Probability and Statistics I, II, III;
either 356 Applied Regression Analysis or 358 Applied Time Series and Forecasting;
370 Advanced Linear Algebra;
385 Numerical Analysis.

Recommended allied field course: Either Computer Science 211 Introduction to Structured Programming with C++, or Computer Science 240 Personal Computing for Programmers.

Additional strongly recommended mathematics course: MAT 350 Statistical Methods

Additional recommended mathematics courses: 326 Sample Survey Methods; 328 Design of Experiments; 335, 336 Real Analysis I, II; 337 Complex Analysis; 355 Stochastic Processes; 354 Multivariate Statistics; 357 Nonparametric Statistics; 386 Advanced Numerical Analysis. Mathematics 335, 336, and 337 are recommended for students preparing for graduate study in mathematical statistics.

Click here for a detailed program of study for the statistics concentration.

TEACHER OF MATHEMATICS: SECONDARY LEVEL

The concentration in the teaching of mathematics at the secondary level is intended for students who wish to turn their enjoyment of mathematics into their life's work. Students choosing this concentration will graduate both with a mathematics major and with all the courses required for certification as a teacher at the junior high, middle, and secondary senior high school levels. Their primary advisor will normally be from the School of Education, but they are encouraged to discuss their programs with mathematical sciences department faculty as well.

Mathematics Requirements: COMMON CORE plus

301 History of Mathematics;
either 348 Applied Statistical Methods or 351 Probability and Statistics I;
either 303 Number Theory (formerly known as MAT 230) and 310 Abstract Algebra I, or 310 and 311 Abstract Algebra I and II;
either 320 and 321 Geometry I and II, or 320 Geometry I and 335 Real Analysis I.

Education Requirements:

SE 363 Orientation to Secondary Teaching as a Profession;
SE 364 Methods: Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Schools;
SE 309 Teaching and Learning Secondary School Mathematics;
SE 390 Secondary Student Teaching and Seminar;
SE 325 Literacy in the Content Areas;
LSE 380 Philosophical Issues in Education and Cultural Studies;
LSI 346 Strategies for Mainstreaming and Inclusion
either SCU 338 The Process and Evaluation of Learning or 339 Philosophy and Psychology of Middle Level Education;
one of the following four courses: SCU 207 Social and Historical Issues in Education, SCU 336 Adolescent and Adult Growth and Development, SCU 337 Human Growth and Development, PSY 303 Human Development.

Click here for a detailed program of study for the teacher of mathematics: secondary level concentration.

MATHEMATICAL COMPUTER STUDIES

The mathematical computer studies concentration is intended for students who wish to combine the study of computer science with a strong mathematics background. The majority of students who choose this concentration are considering going on for graduate study either in computer science or in computational mathematics.

Sample programs in theoretical computer science, graphics, and computational methods have been developed to help guide students' choice of courses. However, students are not required to follow any one sample program in order to receive the degree. Mathematical computer studies students are strongly encouraged to consult with advisors both in mathematics and in computer science to plan their programs.

Mathematics Requirements: COMMON CORE plus

four mathematics courses chosen from among the following: 303 Number Theory (formerly known as 230); 302 Combinatorics (formerly known as 240); 310, 311, 312 Abstract Algebra I, II, and III; 370 Advanced Linear Algebra; 372 Logic and Set Theory; either 351, 352, 353 Probability and Statistics I, II, and III or 348, 349 Applied Statistical Methods I and II; Mathematics/Computer Science 387, 388 Operations Research I and II; 335, 336 Real Analysis I and II; 337 Complex Analysis; 338 Differential Equations; Mathematics/Computer Science 385, 386 Numerical Analysis I and II; 359 Simulation Models and the Monte Carlo Method.

Note: To satisfy the mathematics requirement for the degree, students in the mathematical computer studies concentration may substitute an additional course from the preceding list in place of 261 in the Common Core. They may also substitute 220 in place of 262.

Computer Science Requirements:

Note: The requirements for the bachelor of science degree in computer science were changed for the 2001-2002 academic year to accommodate a move from C++ to Java as the primary language of instruction in the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems. As a result, a few of the requirements for the computer science part of the mathematical computer studies concentration have been adjusted to agree with the new computer science program. Students who have completed the sequence CSC 215-310-311 may substitute it in place of the following courses listed below: CSC 211, CSC 212 and CSC 313. Students who began taking the sequence CSC 215-310-311 but did not finish it should contact the mathematical sciences department so that arrangements can be made to accommodate their situations during this period of transition. They can also obtain advice from the following CTI webpage: http://www.cs.depaul.edu/advising/java/undergraduate.asp#CS-Standard

CSC 211 and 212 Programming in Java I and II
CSC 313 Data Structures in Java
321 Design and Analysis of Algorithms;
three additional computer science courses chosen from among the following: 312 Assembly Language and Computer Organization; 319 Database Technologies; 343 Operating Systems; 347 Concepts of Programming Languages; 345 Computer Architecture; 348 Introduction to Compiler Design; 358 Symbolic Programming; 333 Automata Theory and Formal Grammars; 361 Basic Communication Systems; 315 Analysis and Design Techniques; 371 Survey of Computer Graphics; 329,339 Computer Graphics I and II; 372 Computer Animation; Mathematics/Computer Science 385, 386 Numerical Analysis I and II Mathematics/Computer Science 387, 388 Operations Research I and II.

Note: Students following the computer graphics sub-concentration may substitute CSC 372 in place of CSC 321 in the computer science core.

Click here for detailed programs of study in theoretical computer science, computer graphics, and computational methods for the mathematical computer studies concentration.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH

The Quantitative Analysis and Operations Research concentration is intended for undergraduate mathematics students who wish to use their mathematical and quantitative skills to help solve problems of management and operations in the business world. Students desiring to continue to obtain a master of science degree from DePaul University should consider following the program for the combined B.S./M.S. degree program in Applied Mathematics: Statistics Concentration, the combined B.S./M.S. degree program in Applied Mathematics: Actuarial Science Concentration or the combined B.S./M.S. degree program in Applied Statistics, each of which may be completed in about five years.

Requirements: COMMON CORE plus

351, 352, 353 Probability and Statistics I, II, III;
either 356 Applied Regression Analysis or 358 Applied Time Series and Forecasting or 385 Numerical Analysis I
387 Operations Research I: Linear Programming;
388 Operations Research II: Optimization Theory.

Recommended allied field courses: Accountancy: 101 Principles of Accounting I; 102 Principles of Accounting II. Computer Science: 215 Introduction to Structured Programming with C++, or 240 Personal Computing for Programmers. Economics: 105 Principles of Microeconomics; 106 Principles of Macroeconomics. Finance: 310 Financial Management I; 330 Investments; Securities and Markets; 335 Portfolio Management. Management: 300-301 Managerial Concepts and Practices I and II.

Click here for a detailed program of study for the quantitative analysis and operations research concentration.

Curriculum Plan Samples