Mathematics Major

Mathematics Major

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Develop your expertise for a variety of careers

The Mathematics Major prepares its students for advanced study and research as well as for careers in business, industry, government, and teaching. Students are encouraged to seek the advice of their faculty advisor in the selection of a concentration and elective courses that will best prepare them for their career choices.

Mathematics is the language of science and also plays a key role in many of the social sciences. An understanding of mathematics provides a powerful approach to solving problems through organization, simplification, and abstraction. In today’s job market, individuals with highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills are in great demand. Therefore, there are numerous career options for students who choose to major in mathematics.

Concentrations in Mathematics

Check out the different mathematics courses waiting for you at Worcester State!
MA-107 Mathematical Explorations - Invitation To Effective Thinking
Analysis of mathematical topics including (but not limited to) logical thinking, elementary number theory, concepts of infinity, geometry gems, modeling through graphs, fractals, and uncertainty.
3 credits
MA-130 Number and Operations for Teachers
Develops understanding of the mathematical content of number and operations at the deep level required for successful elementary and middle school teaching.
3 credits
MA-131 Patterns, Functions, and Algebra for Teachers
Develops understanding of the mathematical content of patterns, functions and algebra at the deep level required for successful elementary and middle school teaching.
3 credits
MA-132 Geometry, Measurement, Probability, and Statistics for Teachers
Develops understanding of the mathematical content of geometry, measurement, probability and statistics at the deep level required for successful elementary and middle school teaching.
3 credits
MA-150 Statistics I
Descriptive techniques, elementary probability, distribution of the sample mean, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing of the means of one and two samples, linear regression and correlation.
3 credits
MA-180 Introduction to Functions
Properties, graphing, and applications of linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; systems of linear equations.
3 credits
MA-190 Pre-calculus
Review of exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometric functions, identities, and equations; systems of linear equations and inequalities; conic sections; and applications.
4 credits
MA-200 Calculus I
Limits, continuity, differentiation and integration of functions, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, L'Hôpital's Rule, applications including related rates, optimization, and area.
4 credits
MA-201 Calculus II
Techniques of integration, infinite sequences and series, power series, applications including volume and functional approximation.
4 credits
MA-202 Business Calculus
Review of functions, limits, derivatives, integration and introduction to multivariate calculus. Business applications of these topics.
4 credits
MA-240 Theory of Proof
Logic and proof, set theory, math induction, relations, functions, sequences and convergence, limits and continuity, congruences, introductions to groups.
4 credits
MA-260 Linear Algebra
Solutions of simultaneous equations by means of matrices and determinants; vector spaces, linear transformations; also, as time permits, characteristic values, bilinear and quadratic forms.
3 credits
MA-302 Probability and Statistics
Descriptive statistics, probability theory, combinatorics, correlation, regression and inference techniques.
3 credits
MA-303 Mathematical Modeling
The development, analysis, and application of continuous and discrete-time models from the physical, financial, and life sciences.
3 credits
MA-304 Data Analysis
Case studies combining applied statistics, mathematical statistics, mathematics, computing, and communications to simulate work experience of a practicing statistician.
4 credits
MA-309 Topics in Mathematics for Middle and Secondary Teachers
Students will strengthen and expand their knowledge of the mathematics taught in middle/high school. Specific emphasis will be placed on topics in geometry and trigonometry.
3 credits
MA-310 Calculus III
Vectors, parametric equations, polar, cylindrical and spherical coordinates, multivariable functions, properties and applications, partial derivatives, multiple integrals.
4 credits
MA-320 Ordinary Differential Equations
Techniques for solving first- and second-order ordinary differential equations, including Laplace transformations, numerical approximations and graphical techniques.
3 credits
MA-340 Modern Geometry
Topics from Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry.
3 credits
MA-349 Financial Mathematics
Financial mathematics including present and accumulated values for various streams of cash flows for future use in: reserving, valuation, pricing, asset/liability management, investment income, capital budgeting and valuing contingent cash flows.
3 credits
MA-360 Number Theory
Divisibility properties of integers, prime numbers, the Euclidean algorithm, the unique factorization theorem, congruences, Diophantine equations, number theoretic functions.
3 credits
MA-380 Probability
Probability concepts including: counting, conditional probability, independence, expectation and variance of univariate and multivariate distributions. This is the first course in a two-course sequence that prepares students for the first actuarial exam.
3 credits
MA-381 Probability Theory for Actuarial Science
Probabilities, conditional probabilities, moment-generating functions, moments and expectations of specific parametric distributions including Poisson, geometric, hypergeometric, exponential, and normal. This is the second course in a two-course sequence that prepares students for the first actuarial exam.
3 credits
MA-405 Abstract Algebra
Introduction to groups, rings, and fields.
3 credits
MA-410 Real Analysis
Rigorous treatment of sequences, topology of the real numbers, continuity; also, as time allows, differentiation, integration.
3 credits
MA-425 Mathematical Statistics
A rigorous treatment of statistical inference including: maximum likelihood estimators, sufficiency, consistency, hypothesis tests, likelihood ratio tests and Bayesian inference.
3 credits
MA-498 Internship: Mathematics
Working in and for an organization where ones skills can be tested in real-world situations. Students will have an opportunity to gain experience, to increase knowledge in various functional areas, and establish important contacts with an organization.
3 credits

See the diverse career paths a degree in mathematics can prepare you for

There are countless career paths for mathematics students in a variety of fields.

Game Designer
Applied Research Mathematician
Animator
Cryptographer
Financial Analyst
K-12 Educator
Operations Researcher
Professor
Biostatistician
Robotics Engineer

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