Mathematics Major
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-Physics 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 PEAK as a whole.
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.
39 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Major Requirements
Complete the Mathematics-Physics Core (18 credits):
| MAT-175 | Single Variable Calculus | 4 credits |
| MAT-275 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 credits |
| - | | |
| MAT-285 | Introduction to Proof | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| CSC-150 | Computer Science I: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming | 3 credits |
| PHY-271 | Analytical Physics I | 4 credits |
| PHY-271L | Analytical Physics I Lab | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| MAT-199 | Math & Physics Colloquium | 0.5 credits |
| - | and/or | |
| PHY-199 | Math & Physics Colloquium | 0.5 credits |
MAT-175: Depending on placement, completion of MAT-150 Applied Calculus: A Modeling Approach may be required prior to enrolling in MAT-175.
MAT-199, PHY-199: 2 Semesters at 0.5 credit each.
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-498) | 12 credits |
A maximum of 3 credits of MAT-494 and MAT-497 in any combination may be counted toward the upper-division elective requirements.
Complete the Mathematics Capstone:
| MAT-490 | Mathematics Capstone | 3 credits |
Students interested in graduate study in mathematics are strongly encouraged to take the following courses:
Mathematics Majors may not minor in Mathematics nor major in Mathematics-Physics.