Program Codes:
BAMATH
Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. The goal of the Mathematics Department at Mercyhurst is to provide students with the knowledge essential to the pursuit of a career in government, industry, commerce or education, or for entrance into graduate school for further study.
Mission Statement
The Department of Mathematics is committed to:
Program Student Learning Outcomes
A graduate earning a B.A. in mathematics from Mercyhurst University must be able to:
Majors and Minors
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Mathematics
Mathematics Minor Requirements
MATH 170 Calculus I 4 credits
MATH 171 Calculus II 4 credits
MATH 233 Calculus III 4 credits
MATH 150 Linear Algebra 4 credit
Choose three (3) of the following courses:
MATH 201 Technical Writing with LaTeX 3 credits
MATH 240 Differential Equations 3 credits
MATH 245 Geometry 3 credits
MATH 265 Transition to Advanced Mathematics 3 credits
MATH 280 Modern Algebra I 3 credits
MATH 281 Modern Algebra II 3 credits
MATH 370 Advanced Calculus 3 credits
MATH 400 Topics in Mathematics 3 credits
PHYS 201/202 General Physics I & Lab 4 credits
MATH 201 Technical Writing with LaTeX 3 credits
Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification
The Mathematics Education program at Mercyhurst University follows a two- step process designed to give students strong content knowledge before they master the pedagogical tools necessary to become expert teachers at the secondary level (grades 7-12). In completing this program, the student earns a master’s degree in addition to the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Students interested in the program will first pursue a B.A. in Mathematics by complying with the requirements outlined herein. Upon completion of the undergraduate mathematics degree, the student may then enroll in the Master of Science in Secondary Education: Pedagogy and Practice program (see Graduate Programs Catalog). Teaching certification is not earned until the completion of the master’s degree.
A unique benefit of this program is that students intending to complete their undergraduate mathematics degree at Mercyhurst may seek enrollment in the 4+1 program, in which they can complete the master’s degree under an intensive, one-year curriculum. This 4+1 program allows students to earn a B.A. in Mathematics, earn an M.S. in Secondary Education, and become certified to teach at the secondary level, in a five-year period.
Students in the 4+1 program must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0, complete a Sophomore Review, pass the PRAXIS I exam, and complete two education courses (EDUC 210 Comparative Issues in Education and WL 101 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners) before acceptance into the graduate program. Each student will work with the program coordinator to successfully meet all of these goals during the established timeline. Students who have earned a mathematics degree from another institution will have their work evaluated against Mercyhurst’s requirements for the B.A. in Mathematics before being accepted into the master’s program.
This is the initial course in a sequence of courses on the fundamental ideas of the calculus of one variable intended for science and mathematics majors. It is here that truly significant applications of mathematics begin. Topics follow the early transcendentals path, included are functions, continuity, limits, derivatives, maxima and minima and antiderivatives and an introduction to integration. Prerequisite: MATH 118 or MATH Placement score of at least 76. 4 credits.
Any student who has completed Calculus I should take Calculus II to obtain a complete study of the calculus of one variable. Topics follow the early transcendentals path, included are the integral, anti-derivatives, the Fundamental Theorem, integration techniques, interesting applications of integration, an introduction to differential equations, series, sequences.
MATH 170
This is an introduction to the calculus of several variables. Topics selected from polar coordinates, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, line integrals, surface integrals, Green's theorem and Stokes' theorem.
MATH 171
An introduction to the basic mathematical content of ordinary differential equations and their applications. This will include analytical, qualitative, and numerical methods for ordinary differential equations. Topics include first-order and second-order equations and applications, systems of differential equations, and matrix methods for linear systems.
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of a function of a real variable from a rigorous point of view. Topics included are completion of the rational numbers, theory of continuous functions, theory of differentiation, theory of the Riemann integral, sequences, series. Prerequisites: MATH 150, MATH 233, MATH 265. 3 credits.
MATH 150 MATH-233 MATH-265
Programming Elective
It is further recommended that the Mathematics major obtain a minor or (preferably) a major in an additional discipline. All Mathematics majors must maintain a mathematics GPA of 2.0 or higher. A student who does not satisfy this requirement may be dismissed from the major and/or prohibited from graduating with the major. A student who receives a C or below in MATH 233 Calculus III must have the department’s permission to continue in the major or minor.