Mathematics, BA

Introduction

The Mathematics (MATH) program is designed to meet the needs of those students who wish to acquire certain mathematical techniques for use in the physical, life, management, and social sciences, as well as those whose primary interests lie in mathematics itself. Mathematics is an appropriate degree program for students preparing themselves for careers in actuarial science, statistical analysis, operations research, computer science, engineering, or secondary education and for those who wish to pursue graduate study in mathematics or certain mathematics-related areas (e.g., computer science, computational science, statistics or economics). 

Program Organization

The Mathematics curriculum is highly sequential, so it is important that majors begin the calculus sequence in the first semester of the freshman year, if at all possible. It is recommended that all students complete core degree requirements in Mathematics as soon as possible within their first four semesters. By the end of the sophomore year, majors should have completed the calculus sequence, MATH 3323 Linear Algebra, and MATH 3325 Foundations of Mathematics, leaving the junior and senior years open for advanced courses, independent study, tutorials and seminars.

In addition to the General B.S. and General B.A. pathways, the Mathematics program offers three specialized concentrations: Actuarial Science (B.S.), Math/Engineering dual-degree (B.S./B.S. in Engineering) and Secondary Education (B.A.). It is not necessary that mathematics majors choose one of these concentrations to graduate; a concentration facilitates advising toward preparation for a specialty field or goal. Additionally, the Mathematics program offers a minor for students from other majors intending to develop mathematical mastery and acquire a credential on their transcript.

Students interested in an actuarial career should elect the Actuarial Science concentration. Actuarial students are advised to begin the sequence of actuarial examinations upon completion of MATH 4451 Probability and Statistics I and MATH 4452 Probability and Statistics II.

Students who wish to be certified to teach mathematics in secondary school should elect the K-12 Education concentration and consult the School of Education for an explanation of certification requirements. Students who intend to select the B.A. in Mathematics/EDUC are encouraged to select a second preceptor in the School of Education.

The Bachelor of Science program in Mathematics with concentration in Economics is designed for students looking to apply their mathematical training to the study of economic systems. This degree program provides Stockton Mathematics majors the option of focusing their cognate courses in economics, thereby gaining both the quantitative rigor of mathematics and the analytical insight of economic reasoning. Students completing the program will earn a Minor in Economics and be well-prepared for a variety of career paths including graduate study in economics, data science, or related fields, as well as careers in consulting and quantitative research.

Students interested in the five-year, dual-degree Mathematics/Engineering program should complete the five core mathematics courses and MATH 3328 Differential Equations during the first two years. In addition, they must complete a year of physics, a year of general chemistry, and additional dual-degree requirements by the end of the third year before transferring to Rutgers, NJIT or Rowan for the final two years. Specific credits from the first year at the Engineering institution will fulfill Math program requirements. Students who complete the dual-degree program will receive a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Stockton after the fourth year and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Rutgers, NJIT or Rowan after the fifth year. See the section on Engineering Dual-Degree Program elsewhere in this Bulletin.

Students with an interest in the computational aspects of mathematics and the use of computers to solve mathematical problems should elect the Computer Science advising track (B.S.) with the guidance of the preceptor from the mathematics program.

Students who intend to continue their mathematical training in graduate school should elect the Graduate School Preparation advising track (B.S.) with the guidance of the preceptor from the mathematics program. Such students are advised to take the Graduate Record Examination in their senior year. It is desirable for such students to acquire a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language (usually French, German or Russian).

Admission to the Program

The Mathematics program is open to any student with an active interest in mathematics.

Before students begin program courses as a mathematics major, students must demonstrate math readiness in ONE of the following ways:   

• SAT Math score of 570 or above 

• ACT Math score of 24 and above  

• Transfer of college-level algebra course (or college-level Precalculus/Calculus) 

• Advanced Algebra and Function (AAF) Accuplacer test score of 260 or higher \) 

• Advanced Placement (AP) testing (refer to the AP credits policy)

• Successfully complete a sequence of math courses to become eligible to take Pre-calculus (MATH 1100) 

Stockton University stands ready to assist students without this math preparation to develop a strong math foundation with our introductory and intermediate courses in Mathematics. These math courses are in addition to the courses required to complete a degree in Mathematics and may require additional time for a student to complete their degree. A student with math preparatory needs may have to take math courses during summer to expedite progress toward the degree.

Students who have a good working knowledge of two years of high school algebra, one year of high school geometry and trigonometry should begin with MATH 2215 Calculus I. Students who were proficient in high school calculus may wish to seek advanced standing. Students who need to review algebra and trigonometry should enroll first in MATH 1100 Pre-calculus Mathematics before beginning the calculus sequence.

High school students considering a major in mathematics at Stockton are strongly urged to take four years of college-preparatory mathematics (through trigonometry), at least three years of college preparatory science (including physics and chemistry), and four years of college-preparatory English courses that emphasize writing. Students who lack adequate backgrounds in high school mathematics, science or English may not be sufficiently prepared to attempt the rigorous freshman- and sophomore-level core courses in mathematics.

Community College graduates who have not completed a one-year sequence in single-variable calculus should expect to spend more than two years at Stockton to obtain a degree in mathematics. Transfer students who wish to major in mathematics should contact the Chair of the Mathematics program before the beginning of their first semester at Stockton. 

Graduation Requirements

The minimum requirement for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mathematics is 64 credits of program and cognate courses. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree requires a minimum of 80 credits in program and cognate courses. These program credits, in combination with the University’s General Studies requirements and At-Some-Distance (ASD) courses, constitute the minimum of 128 credits necessary for a Stockton degree. University’s General Studies requirements include the G-course distribution (32 credits), W, Q and R course requirements and AHVI attributes. For details on General Studies requirements, visit the relevant section in this Bulletin. The ASD course requirement for the B.A. degree is 32 credits and for the B.S. degree is 16 credits. These courses are not directly related to the program and would include G-courses or courses from other programs. W, Q, R and AHVI requirements could be met via G-course requirements, program course requirements, or ASD course requirements. Courses should be chosen carefully with frequent guidance from preceptor, to meet graduation requirements and each student’s career goals. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements are met in a timely manner.

In order to be able to graduate, a student must meet all University graduation requirements, including a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0. University requirements for graduation can also be found in the relevant section of this Bulletin. Special graduation requirements apply to transfer students as detailed in the relevant pages of this Bulletin. All Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NAMS) majors are required to meet a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all NAMS courses. In addition, a student must satisfy the Mathematics program course distribution requirements, have a minimum grade of C for all program core courses and a minimum GPA of 2.0 for MATH acronym courses. For the dual-degree Engineering concentration, a minimum grade of C in all courses as well as an overall GPA and a minimum NAMS course GPA of 3.0 are required. 

Students are expected to meet prerequisites specified for each required course on the course catalog. Students with deficiencies in incoming preparation may need to take additional courses as prerequisites, which may or may not count toward the degree requirements. A transfer student who wishes to major in Mathematics should contact the Program Chair prior to registering for courses at Stockton. Some transfer students may take longer to fulfill degree requirements, particularly if they are deficient in the mathematics background. Also, continuously maintaining good standing as a student, including academic achievements and code of conduct as per University requirements is imperative to the success of a student in any major. 

Special Opportunities

Some students may wish to take part in off-campus experiences where their knowledge of mathematics may be applied to “real-world” situations. Academic credit can be granted for such an experience as an applied/professional or research internship, provided it contributes significantly to the student’s intellectual development. In the past, mathematics majors have pursued internships in Federal, State, local and private organizations including FAA. Credit will generally be contingent upon a comprehensive report submitted after the experience is completed. Seniors may wish to undertake a special project in mathematics for academic credit. This may consist of a thesis, seminar or another project agreeable to the mathematics faculty. Specifics will be established on a case-by-case basis. 

Dual-Degree Programs

A five-year dual-degree Engineering option with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Rutgers, the State University and Rowan University is available to mathematics (and other) majors. Under this option, the mathematics major spends the first three years at Stockton and the last two years at NJIT, Rutgers or Rowan. The B.S. degree in Mathematics is awarded from Stockton and the B.S. in Engineering degree from NJIT, Rutgers or Rowan. The Engineering degree for the Mathematics major could be in the following areas—Mechanical, Aerospace, Biomedical, Electrical, Computer and Civil Engineering. For further information, contact the Dual-Degree B.S./Engineering Coordinator. 

Graduation with Distinction

A bachelor’s degree with distinction in Mathematics will be awarded to students who meet university criteria for graduation with distinction and whose coursework and senior projects are of outstanding quality as determined by Mathematics program faculty. The award will be conferred by the Mathematics program faculty on those who have scholarly and mathematical achievements that are judged to be of unusual merit, who have or will have completed MATH 4800, and who have given a project talk in the MATH Seminar. Students seeking the degree with distinction should consult with a Mathematics faculty member regarding the design of a senior project before entering the senior year. 

Career Opportunities

Students who successfully complete a degree program in mathematics may continue their education at the graduate level or pursue careers in secondary education, business, industry, actuarial science or federal/state government. Professional opportunities in actuarial science are excellent since the demand by insurance companies, consulting firms, and government agencies for qualified actuaries exceeds the available supply.

 Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the mathematics program can be explored using the Degree Works web based tool. Full details about the curriculum can be accessed on the Mathematics website.