Mathematics Major
NSM PEAK
For centuries, mathematics has given its students a lifetime of intellectual excitement, deep creative satisfaction, mental acuity and agility, and appreciation of an austere and elegant beauty. More than anything else, the study of mathematics enhances the student's power of thinking. Mathematics majors at The College of Idaho learn to think, both deeply and creatively, about a wide range of important and interesting topics and areas of mathematical inquiry.
Mathematics majors at The College of Idaho learn the fundamental principles of mathematical thought as they progress through the Mathematics Core. They also begin to gain an understanding of the relevance and utility of mathematics to, and interconnectedness with, other disciplines of the liberal arts and the world as a whole. This program of study is completed with choices from a broad selection of proof-based courses. The curriculum reflects the intellectual sweep of undergraduate mathematics and the applied, interdisciplinary sensibilities of the Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences and the PEAK curriculum.
Since much mathematical activity resembles a kind of logical problem-solving, and since this activity is such excellent mental training, mathematics is an excellent major field of study for many exciting and interesting careers. Recent graduates have found careers in medicine, finance, software development, education, various engineering fields, and have gone on to graduate study in mathematics, physics, astronomy, computer science, and engineering, among others.
Mathematics majors may not minor in Mathematics or major in Mathematics-Computer Science or Mathematics-Physics.
Major Requirements
39 credits
(Total does not include prerequisite courses.)
Complete the Mathematics Core (18 credits).
| CSC-150 | Comp Sci I: Intro to Comp Sci and Prog | 3 credits |
| MAT-175 | Single Variable Calculus | 4 credits |
| MAT-252 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 credits |
| MAT-275 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHY-271 | Analytical Physics I | 3 credits |
| PHY-271L | Analytical Physics I Lab | 1 credit |
Depending on their placement, students may need to complete MAT-150 Applied Calculus before enrolling in MAT-175 .
Complete two semesters (1 credit) of Colloquium.
| IND-198 | Natural Sciences and Mathematics Colloquium | 0.5 credits |
| IND-198 | Natural Sciences and Mathematics Colloquium | 0.5 credits |
Each semester of IND-198 provides 0.5 credit. One credit is required to complete the major.
Complete any two of the following advanced courses in modern axiomatic mathematics (6 credits).
Complete upper-division elective coursework in Mathematics (12 credits).
| MAT-ELEC- | 12 additional credits of 300- or 400-level MAT courses (excluding MAT-490 and MAT-498) | 12 credits |
A maximum of 3 credits of MAT-494 and INT-497 in any combination may be counted toward the upper-division elective requirement. MAT-490 and MAT-498 do not satisfy the upper-division elective requirement.
Complete the Mathematics Capstone Sequence (2 credits).
Through a capstone experience and participation in department seminar, mathematics majors gain important professional skills and experience and an exposure to a mathematics research environment, culminating in an independently conducted capstone project.
| MAT-490 | Math-Physics-CS Capstone | 1 credit |
| MAT-498 | Mathematics Seminar | 1 credit |
Students interested in graduate study in mathematics are strongly encouraged to take the following courses: