Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Math FAQ
Computer Science FAQ
Math Questions
Q. I'm a first-year student. I might want to
major in math. Which
courses should I take?
A. You should make every effort to take at least
MAT 201 and MAT 202
during your first year. If your schedule allows, or if you have
AP credit, you might also take CSI 201, MAT 120, or MAT/CSI 240. Each
of these three courses could be taken along with calculus or as a
break from calculus if you have AP credit. Of course, if you have
AP credit, you could also take the third semester of calculus,
MAT 203.
Q. I took the AP Calculus exam. For which courses
can I get credit?
A. A score of 3 on the AB exam gives you credit
for MAT 201. A score
of 4 or 5 on the AB exam gives you credit for MAT 201 and MAT 202.
A score of 3 or higher on the BC exam gives you credit for MAT 201
and MAT 202.
Q. I took the AP Calculus exam. I think I did
well, but I do not yet
have my scores. For which course should I register?
A. Since you can change classes during the first
week of the semester,
the main thing to keep in mind is to leave openings in your schedule
in case you need to change classes. In most semesters, we offer a
section of MAT 201 and a section of MAT 202 at the same time. Sign
up for one of those sections to make the change easier.
Q. I don't like math, but I need to take a course
for distribution.
Which course should I take?
A. The most popular courses for distribution
are CSI 100 and MAT 109.
CSI 100 is "Basics of Computing" and many students find this course
both interesting and useful. MAT 109 is "Statistics", which can
also be very useful, especially for social science majors. Some majors,
like Business, have courses that are taught within that department that
count for distribution. Be sure to check with your advisor and with
faculty in the areas you might like to study to see which courses they
recommend for distribution. This is also a something to talk to
other students about.
Q. I want to be a math teacher. What should
I keep in mind as I schedule classes?
A. You should coordinate your schedule each
semester by talking with
advisors in both the math/cs department and the education department.
You will likely spend the fall of your senior year student teaching.
Therefore, you need to keep this in mind as you plan for your sophomore
and junior years.
Q. I want to go to graduate school in math.
Which courses should I take?
A. All of them. Seriously, though, you should
take as many different math
courses as possible so you have an idea of the various areas of math
that you might be interested in. In particular, you should try to take
all four of the "proof" courses: MAT 325, MAT 322, MAT 311, and MAT
312.
Q. What is the senior capstone experience for a math
major?
A. The senior capstone experience in math consists of
a written thesis and an oral presentation of the thesis. It also includes
six problem
presentations at the math majors seminar. You should present at
least two problems during your junior year. See also
the math major page. Recent thesis topics may
also be found here.
Q. How do I find problems for the problem presentations?
A. Problems can be found in a number of regular
mathematical publications.
In addition, the department provides supplementary problems from time
to time, usually passed out at the math majors seminar. See also
the math major page.
Q. How do I pick a topic for my senior thesis?
A. Some students find a topic in the process
of their course work. Others
come to a faculty member and ask for a choice of topics. If you are not
sure which topic you want to study, it is a good idea to talk with a few
different faculty members and get some ideas. Many times, a faculty
member can offer a quick summary of several possible topics. You can do
a little preliminary research on a few areas and then come to a decision.
Q. Can I double major in math and something
else?
A. Yes. Various majors can be combined with
a math major. Recently, we
have had math/economics, math/physics, and math/computer science double
majors. Some majors (like cs or physics) blend particularly well with
math since several courses can count for both majors. Of course, your
schedule will be a bit tighter as you complete the requirements
for two majors. Just be sure to check with advisors from both departments
to make sure you stay on track from semester to semester.
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