| We offer a major in Mathematics,
a major in Statistics, several BA/MA
Programs, and Special Programs.
We also offer a mathematics minor and a statistics
minor and a suggested actuarial sequence.
MATHEMATICS
MAJOR
The mathematics major introduces students to the fundamental areas of
mathematics and provides some degree of specialization in one or more
areas. It trains students in the analytic thinking characteristic of pure
and applied mathematics and provides familiarity with rigorous methods
of mathematical proof. In addition to the
standard Mathematics Major, the department offers a
number of specialized undergraduate tracks for students interested in
pursuing careers in bioinformatics or in preparing for teaching: the concentration
Quantitative Biology, the concentration Preparation
for Adolescent Education (Grades 7-12), and the concentration
Preparation for Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) .
Undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing mathematics at the advanced graduate
level are urged to participate in the BA/MA program
in Mathematics. For undergraduate students interested in pursuing graduate work in teaching mathematics, the BA/MA program in
Preparation for Adolescent Education leads
to initial certification in Adolescent Education (Grades 7-12) in
Mathematics. Certification may also be received by completing the BA degree
with a mathematics major and then completing the MA in adolescent education in mathematics (see the GRADUATE page).
MATHEMATICS
MAJOR CURRICULUM
To enter the standard Mathematics
Major, the student should have completed one year of calculus
(MATH 150 and 155, or the equivalent). The major consists of at least
33 credits of coursework: 24 credits of core curriculum courses (taken
by all majors except those enrolled in the concentration Preparation
for Childhood Education: Grades 1-6) and at least 9 credits of advanced
elective courses, chosen by students according to their career plans.
Proficiency in symbolic computation is also required.
Major Core Curriculum
(24 cr) MATH 156, 250, 254, 255, 260, 311, 351, and STAT 213 or 311.
Elective Courses
The student must complete three 3-credit approved elective courses. The
elective courses must be chosen from the 300-or 400-level courses in mathematics
or statistics listed by the department. Factors affecting the choice of
courses will include the student’s career goals (preparation for
graduate study; education; careers in business, government service or
industry), the student’s other major, where applicable, and the
availability of courses due to the course rotation schedule. A 300-level
course may be replaced by a graduate level course approved by a departmental
advisor.
Symbolic Computation Proficiency Requirement
As a requirement for graduation with a BA in Mathematics, students must
demonstrate entry level proficiency in symbolic computation. The requirement
can be met in any of the following ways:
a) passing any of MATH 126, MATH 151, MATH 154, MATH 385;
b)
passing a departmental exam in a computer algebra system (currently
we use MATHEMATICA or the equivalent).
Mathematics Major With a Concentration in
Quantitative Biology
This program is for students intending to pursue research careers in biomedical
sciences. It provides students with a working knowledge of computing and
biological sciences for bioengineering careers in bioinformatics, the
pharmaceutical industry, and the biotechnology industry. For this concentration,
the student must complete the entry requirement for the mathematics major, MATH 150 and 155, and the symbolic computation proficiency requirement for the mathematics major, satisfied by Stat 319 in this curriculum.
Students concentrating in quantitative biology within the mathematics major complete the following the core curriculum and additional required
courses.
Major Core Curriculum (27 cr): MATH 156, 250, 254, 255, 260,
311, 351, and STAT 213, 311.
Additional Required Courses (36 cr): STAT 319, and CSCI 132,
232, and CHEM 102, 104, 106 (or equivalent), 222, and BIOL 100, 203, 425.
Students interested in this concentration should consult the advisor.
Information at: http://hunter.cuny.edu/qubi/mathematics-majors
Mathematics Major With a Concentration
in Preparation for Adolescent Education (Grades 7-12)
Initial certification for teaching mathematics in grades 7-12 may
be obtained by completing:
-the BA with the standard mathematics major, and
-the adolescent education sequence as prescribed by the School
of Education.
Students following this concentration should consult a departmental advisor
as to which advanced elective courses are recommended to complete 33 or
more credits in the mathematics major.
Mathematics Major With a Concentration
in Preparation for Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
This concentration constitutes a mathematics major for students in the QUEST (Quality Urban Elementary School Teacher) program. QUEST students majoring in mathematics are not exempt from the MATH 104/105 requirement. To enter this major, the student should have completed
one semester of calculus (MATH 150 or the equivalent). The specified collateral
major is Childhood Education. This mathematics major consists of at least
32 credits of coursework: 20 credits of major core curriculum courses
and at least 12 additional credits, as described below.
Major Core Curriculum (20 cr): MATH 154, 155, 156, 160, 250,
260, and STAT 213.
Additional Required Courses (at least 12 cr): STAT 212, STAT
220, and two additional courses approved by a departmental advisor.
Students should consult the School of Education for the sequence of teacher education courses
in the Childhood Education (QUEST) major.
MATHEMATICS MINOR
NOTE on MINORS: As of March 2009, the selection of a minor is
optional at Hunter College. The determination of courses required in a
minor concentration is left to the minor departments or programs which
choose to offer such sequences.
A minor in mathematics consists of a minimum of 12 credits selected from
any of the following courses offered by the department: MATH courses numbered
150 or above (with the exception of MATH 261W), STAT 311, STAT 312. Students should
consult the catalog to determine prerequisites necessary for them to enroll
in courses that count toward the minor. It is recommended that prospective
mathematics minors consult with an undergraduate mathematics advisor concerning
course selection.
LOGIC MINOR
The minor in logic consists of courses from three distinct disciplines that study logic: mathematics, computer science, and philosophy. It introduces students to all three disciplinary perspectives on logic. The following four cross-listed courses are required for this minor: MATH/CSCI/PHILO 275; MATH 370/CSCI 371/PHILO 375; MATH/CSCI/PHILO 372; MATH/CSCI/PHILO 377.
STATISTICS
MAJOR
The study of statistics provides the student with analytical tools that
may find application in various fields within the sciences and social
sciences. Bioinformatics is a rapidly developing area open to students
in statistics with a working knowledge of computing and biological sciences.
Actuarial science is one area open to students in statistics who also
have backgrounds in such subjects as computer science, mathematics and
economics. The BA/MA in Statistics and Applied Mathematics offered by
the department provides enrichment for undergraduate statistics majors.
To enter the Statistics Major the student must have completed
MATH 150 and 155. Normally, the statistics major consists of 33 credits
as follows: 30 credits of core curriculum courses and any additional 3-credit
statistics, mathematics, or computer science course approved by the statistics
advisor. Modifications are permitted with the consent of the statistics
advisor. For example, a student may elect to replace STAT 212 with a more
advanced course. With permission of the advisor, a student may take graduate
courses in statistics and applied mathematics. Students interested in
bioinformatics take the additional courses listed in the concentration
in quantitative biology below.
Major Core Curriculum
(30 cr) MATH 156, 250, 254 or 354, 260, STAT 212, 213, 214, 311, 312, 313
Statistics Major With a Concentration in Quantitative Biology
This program is for students intending to pursue research careers in biomedical
sciences. It provides students with a working knowledge of computing and
biological sciences for bioengineering careers in bioinformatics, the
pharmaceutical industry, and the biotechnology industry. For this concentration, students must complete the entry requirement
for the statistics major, MATH 150 and MATH 155, and the core curriculm for the statistics major. Instead of taking the additional 3cr. major elective course, bioinformatics concentrators take the additional courses listed below.
Major Core Curriculum (30 cr): MATH 156, 250, 254 or 354, 260, STAT
212, 213, 214, 311, 312, 313
Additional Required Courses (33 cr): CSCI 132, 232, and CHEM
102, 104, 106 (or equivalent), 222, and BIOL 100, 203, 425.
Students interested in this concentration should consult the advisor.
Information at: http://hunter.cuny.edu/qubi/statistics-majors
STATISTICS MINOR
NOTE on MINORS: As of March 2009, the selection of a minor is
optional at Hunter College. The determination of courses required in a
minor concentration is left to the minor departments or programs which
choose to offer such sequences.
A minor in statistics consists of at least 12 credits selected from STAT
courses offered by the department. Students should consult the catalog to determine
prerequisites necessary for them to enroll in courses that count toward
the minor. It is recommended that prospective statistics minors consult
with an undergraduate statistics advisor concerning course selection.
ACTUARIAL SEQUENCE
A student interested in actuarial work should take MATH 150, 155, 250,
260, STAT 311 and 313. Students are also encouraged to take courses in
accounting, economics and computer science. For information concerning
examinations and prizes given to undergraduates by the Society of Actuaries,
consult the departmental advisor.
BA/MA
PROGRAMS
I. BA/MA PROGRAM in MATHEMATICS or in STATISTICS
AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS
The BA/MA program offers promising students the opportunity to
complete both the bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements
with a minimum of 120 credits. Requirements are the same as those for
a major in the department, plus 30 credits at the graduate level. Interested
students should contact the graduate advisor for further information regarding
eligibility and curriculum requirements.
Track 1: BA/MA Program in Mathematics
Students complete the BA with a standard mathematics major, with 30
additional credits at the graduate level in pure mathematics approved
by the departmental graduate advisor.
Track 2: BA/MA Program in Statistics and Applied Mathematics
Students complete the BA with a standard major in statistics or in mathematics,
with 30 additional credits at the graduate level in applied mathematics,
statistics, and computer science, approved by the departmental graduate
advisor.
II. BA/MA PROGRAM in PREPARATION FOR
ADOLESCENT EDUCATION (GRADES 7-12)
Students interested in secondary school teaching may pursue a combined
BA/MA program in teaching. This program requires a minimum of 141 credits.
Admission Requirements for the BA/MA in Teaching:
1. Completion of at least 45 credits with a GPA of 3.0
2. Completion of at least 10 credits in mathematics, including a year
of calculus (MATH 150 and 155, or the equivalent), with an average of
2.7 in these major courses.
3. Admission to the School of Education.
Degree Requirements for the BA/MA in Teaching
The BA/MA program in the teaching of mathematics includes 48 credits
in mathematics (in addition to the year of calculus described above) and
27 credits in teacher education courses, some of them taken at the undergraduate
level and some at the graduate level. The required math/stat courses are:
1. the 33 credits required for the BA in Mathematics or in Statistics, as described above in the sections
pertaining to the majors.
2. the following 15 graduate credits: MATH 620, 630, 633, 635, and STAT
612 or* 614.
*Although students are required to take either 612 or STAT 614, students
are encouraged to take both courses.
Also required is passing a comprehensive examination in mathematics consisting
of three parts covering the material in MATH 620, 630, and 633. Students
may sit for the comprehensive examination only after having taken all
three courses. Students who fail any part of the examination need only
retake that part of the examination. A student can take any part of the
comprehensive exam in mathematics twice; after that, a committee formed
by the Mathematics/Statistics Chairperson and consisting of members from
the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Curriculum
and Teaching will decide if the student can take the exam a third and
final time.
The student should consult the School of Education section of the graduate
college catalog for the sequence of teacher education courses.
Special
Programs and Activities
Honors Programs
A mathematics major may become a candidate for departmental honors
by successfully completing the Honors Seminar, by presenting a Grade Point
Average of 3.6 in the major, and by achieving a satisfactory rating on
a comprehensive exam.
There are opportunities to receive complimentary memberships in the American
Mathematical Society (AMS), the Mathematical Association
of America (MAA), or the American Statistical Association
(ASA). This includes free journals.
Qualified students may be selected by the Department for Pi Mu
Epsilon, the national undergraduate mathematics honor society.
Members of Pi Mu Epsilon may present talks at the annual summer meeting
of the MAA.
The Math Club
The math club is organized and run by mathematics and statistics majors.
It provides opportunities for academic and social interaction. The club
sponsors problem solving contests, pizza lunches, math movies, and occasional
speakers.
Mathematical Competitions
Each year some majors participate in the six-hour William Lowell
Putnam Competition, one of the nation’s most difficult
and prestigious mathematics competitions. Undergraduates also participate
in the year-long Problem Solving Competition, a national
event conducted locally at Hunter; the winner can take part in the championship
final at the summer semi-annual meeting of the Mathematical Association
of America. |
