The Department offers both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires 30 hours in mathematics and 4 hours in computer science. The requirements are the core courses, either MAT 461-462 or

MAT 481-482, and two additional courses numbered 320 or above.

The Bachelor of Science degree requires 36 hours in mathematics, 8 hours in physics, and 4 hours in computer science. The requirements are the core courses; three courses chosen from MAT 461, 462, 481, and 482; PHY 161, 161L, 162, 162L; and three additional mathematics courses numbered 320 or above.

The Department recommends that those students planning to pursue graduate study in mathematics select their mathematics electives from MAT 320, 330, 335, 350, 462, and 482. Those students planning to pursue a doctoral degree are also strongly advised to take GER 111-112 or FRE 111-112.

The Department recommends that those students planning a career in applied mathematics choose their mathematics electives from MAT 320, 330 and 335. In addition, MAT 225 is highly recommended.

All majors are required to pass a senior comprehensive examination in mathematics and to take the following core courses: MAT 191, 192, 260, 293, 340, 499, and CSC 204.

Secondary Teacher Certification Program in Mathematics

Teacher certification in mathematics (for grades 6-12) is available to mathematics majors who complete MAT 320 and 350. MAT 225 is also recommended. Students planning to teach mathematics in secondary school should notify their advisor and contact the secondary education advisor in Tift College of Education. Required courses in education include EDUC 210, 220, 256, 283, 357, 398, 399, 456, 469, 476, 485, and 492. Additional information is available through Mercer’s Tift College of Education.

The requirements for a minor in mathematics are MAT 191, 192, and either option (a) 260 and two additional courses numbered 320 or above; or option (b) 225, 340, and one additional course numbered 320 or above.

Majors may attain Departmental Honors in mathematics by meeting the following requirements: (1) apply for honors during the second semester of the junior year; (2) attain a grade point average of 3.50 in the mathematics courses applied toward the major; (3) enroll in MAT 402 and complete a research paper under the direction of a faculty member in the department; (4) present the results of the research in colloquium; (5) receive departmental approval for the entire project.

Either MAT 095 or a satisfactory score on the mathematics placement exam is prerequisite to all other mathematics courses except MAT 104.

MAT 095. Intermediate Algebra (3 hours)

Credit earned in MAT 095 does not count toward the minimum number of hours required for graduation. An introductory course in algebra that includes the study of the fundamental algebraic operations, factoring, algebraic fractions, equations and inequalities, exponents and radicals.

MAT 104. Introduction to Finite Mathematics (3 hours)

This course is designed to provide students with some insight into the beauty and challenge of mathematics and its impact on society. Topics include logic, shape, quantity, change, uncertainty and some fundamental dichotomies (finite and infinite, discrete and continuous).

MAT 121. Concepts in Calculus (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 095 or equivalent.

The course emphasizes the concepts in differential and integral calculus and applications of those concepts. The material is made accessible to students with a limited mathematical background by restricting attention to a simple class of functions—polynomial functions in most cases and rational functions where appropriate.

MAT 126. Elementary Statistical Methods (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 095 or equivalent.

An introduction to basic descriptive and inferential statistics. Includes measures of central tendency and variability; the binomial, normal, student’s t, and chisquare distributions; correlation techniques involving Pearson’s r. The emphasis is on applications rather than on mathematical theory. Credit for MAT 126 will not be granted after credit has been earned in MAT 320.

MAT 131. College Algebra: Functions and Graphs (3 hour)

Topics include graphs and functions (linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic). Credit cannot be earned in both MAT 131 and MAT 133.

MAT 133. Precalculus (4 hours)

Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in MAT 095 or equivalent. Topics include graphs, functions (linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and inverse trigonometric), and trigonometric identities. Credit cannot be earned in both MAT 131 and MAT 133.

MAT 141. Calculus for the Social Sciences (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 131, 133 or equivalent.

Students who have not completed MAT 133 and who plan to register for this course should take the mathematics placement exam. A high score on this exam will meet the prerequisite for the course. A study of the derivative of algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions and an introduction to integration. Business applications are stressed. Credit cannot be earned in both MAT 141 and MAT 191. Students who plan to major in mathematics, chemistry, computer science, or physics should take MAT 191.

MAT 191. Calculus I (4 hours)

Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in MAT 133 or equivalent.

Students who have not completed MAT 133 and who plan to register for this course should take the mathematics placement exam. A high score on the exam will meet the prerequisite for the course. Topics include: A study of functions involving limits, continuity, derivatives, and antiderivatives; the definite integral and Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Credit can be earned for only one of MAT 141 and 191.

MAT 192. Calculus II (4 hours)

Prerequisites: a grade of C or better in MAT 191 or consent of the instructor.

Topics include: Methods of numerical integration, applications of the definite integral, techniques of antidifferentiation, improper integrals, infinite series, differential equations, and polar coordinates.

MAT 225. Topics in Discrete Mathematics (4 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 191.

Topics include sets, functions, Boolean algebra, elementary graph theory, techniques of counting, and methods of proof (including induction and contradiction).

MAT 260. Introduction to Abstract Mathematics (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 192.

A course designed to facilitate the transition to mathematics courses in which the student is expected to prove theorems Topics include sets, logic, methods of proof, relations, and number systems.

MAT 293. Multivariable Calculus (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 192.

Topics include vector calculus; limits and continuity of functions of several variables; partial derivatives and applications; multiple integrals and applications.

MAT 320. Introduction to Probability and

Mathematical Statistics (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 192.

A study of sample spaces, conditional probability and independent events; random variables and their distributions both discrete and absolutely continuous; expected value; variance, and regression; Law of Large Numbers and Central Limit Theorem; sampling; estimation; testing of hypotheses. Credit for MAT 126 will not be granted after credit has been earned in MAT 320.

MAT 330. Introduction to Differential Equations (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 192.

A study of ordinary differential equations using qualitative, numerical and analytic approaches. Topics include first-order differential equations, second-order linear differential equations, systems of differential equations, Laplace transformations and applications.

MAT 335. Numerical Methods (3 hours)

Prerequisites: MAT 192 and ability to write programs in a high-level computer language.

A study of numerical methods for the solution of mathematical problems and computer application of those methods. Topics will include: methods such as the bisection algorithm and fixed point iteration for the solution of equations with a single variable, interpolation and polynomial approximation, numerical differentiation and integration, solution of systems of linear equations, and least squares approximation. Offered infrequently.

MAT 340. Linear Algebra (3 hours)

Prerequisites: MAT 225 or 260, or consent of instructor.

An introduction to the algebraic structure of vector spaces; the theory of matrices; the application of matrices to the study of vector spaces; systems of linear equations and linear transformations.

MAT 350. College Geometry (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 340.

A rigorous study of the properties of Euclidean geometry, with special attention to incidence and metric properties, and introduction to elementary properties of non- Euclidean geometries. Offered infrequently.

MAT 390. Topics in Mathematics (Subtitle) (1-3 hours)

Credit will be determined based on the particular topic studied. A student may receive hours awarded as one, two, or three, and no more than three hours per course will be awarded, and total hours given will not exceed six. When credit in the proposed course is given, the topic studied will be stated as a subtitle.

MAT 401. Directed Independent Study (1-3 hours)

Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

This course is intended to provide the student with the opportunity to study independently in an area of interest. Arrangement with the department chair and the instructor is required.

MAT 402. Directed Independent Research (1-3 hours)

Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

This course is intended to provide the student with the opportunity to do supervised research in an area of interest. Arrangement with the department chair and instructor is required.

MAT 461-462. Abstract Algebra I and II (3 hours)

Prerequisite: MAT 340.

A study of groups, rings, and fields. Topics will include homomorphisms of groups and rings, quotient structures, polynomial rings, and extension fields. Offered alternate years.

MAT 481-482. Real Analysis I and II (3 hours)

Prerequisites: MAT 293 and 340.

A rigorous introduction to the system of real numbers; a study of the consequences of continuity, differentiability, integrability, and the elementary topology of the real numbers. Offered alternate years.

MAT 499. Senior Seminar in Mathematics (1 hour)

A course designed to help students take a broad view of their mathematics education and to synthesize the disparate components of this education. Students will be expected to organize and deliver a mathematical presentation.