Major / Minor Requirements

The Carthage Mathematics Department prepares students for graduate school, careers requiring problem-solving and analytic skills, and teaching mathematics at the elementary or high school level. Carthage offers a major and a minor in mathematics.

Current students: You should follow the official College Catalog from the year you entered Carthage and work with your advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

Mathematics Major

The mathematics major requires 44 credits, which must include:

MTH 1120 Calculus I (4 cr.)
MTH 1220 Calculus II (4 cr.)
MTH 1240 Discrete Structures (4 cr.)
MTH 2040 Linear Algebra (4 cr.)
MTH 3040 Abstract Algebra (4 cr.)
MTH 3120 Real Analysis (4 cr.)
MTH 4300 Senior Research (4 cr.)
MTH 4990 Senior Thesis Completion (0 cr.)
CSC 1110 Principles of Computer Science I (4 cr.)
Three Mathematics electives: Students must take three additional mathematics courses numbered above 2000 (excluding MTH 4500 and MTH 4900). The physics course PHY 2200 General Physics I or MTH 3470 Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers may be substituted for one mathematics elective.

Mathematics Minor

A minor consists of four courses beyond MTH 1220 and CSC 1110. PHY 2200 or PHY 2470 may be used as one of these courses.

Additional Information:

The mathematics minor for secondary education should include:

MTH 1120 Calculus I (4 cr.)
MTH 1220 Calculus II (4 cr.)
MTH 2040 Linear Algebra (4 cr.)
MTH 2080 Modern Geometry (4 cr.)
MTH 3040 Abstract Algebra I (4 cr.)
MTH 3050 Theory of Statistics (4 cr.)
CSC 1110 Principles of Computer Science I (4 cr.)

The elementary education major desiring licensure for teaching mathematics should include:

MTH 1030 Applied Mathematics (4 cr.)
MTH 1040 Principles of Modern Mathematics (4 cr.)
MTH 1050 Elementary Statistics (4 cr.)
MTH 1120 Calculus I (4 cr.)
MTH 1240 Discrete Structures (4 cr.)
MTH 2080 Modern Geometry (4 cr.)

Choose one:

CSC 1100 Introduction to Computing (4 cr.)
CSC 1110 Principles of Computer Science I (4 cr.)

The mathematics major planning to attend graduate school should include:

MTH 2020 Differential Equations (4 cr.)
MTH 2120 Multivariate Calculus (4 cr.)
MTH 3220 Complex Variables (4 cr.)
MTH 3180 Introduction to Topology (4 cr.)
MTH 3140 Abstract Algebra II (4 cr.)

The mathematics major planning on secondary teaching should include:

MTH 2080 Modern Geometry (4 cr.)
MTH 3030 Discrete Structures II (4 cr.)
MTH 3050 Theory of Statistics (4 cr.)

The mathematics major planning a career in actuarial science should include:

MTH 2120 Multivariate Calculus (4 cr.)
MTH 2130 Mathematics of Actuarial Science (4 cr.)
MTH 3030 Discrete Structures II (4 cr.)
MTH 3050 Theory of Statistics (4 cr.)
Contact the chair of the Mathematics Department for additional information on preparing for the actuarial exams. Students planning to become actuaries may also take MGT 3210 Financial Management, ECN 1010 Principles of Microeconomics, and ECN 1020 Principles of Macroeconomics for VEE credit.

Placement Exam

A competency exam is available for students wishing to meet the college quantitative literacy requirement without taking a mathematics course. See the chair of the Mathematics Department for details.

Honors in the Major

Students wishing to earn honors in Mathematics must fulfill the following requirements:

The student must have a 3.5 GPA in mathematics courses numbered 1120 or above at graduation.
The student must present a mathematics talk at an off-campus venue. The talk and venue must be approved by the Mathematics Department Chair.
The student must pass a mathematics oral examination before a jury composed of members of the Mathematics Department. This examination will usually be administered during the student’s last semester on campus.

Please see department chair for details. Basic requirements are listed under All-College Programs in the College Catalog.

Current students, remember: You should follow the official College Catalog from the year you entered Carthage and work with your advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

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