Program Overview
Math Sciences
The Math Sciences program at the University of Memphis offers a comprehensive education in mathematics, with various tracks and concentrations to suit different career goals and interests.
Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program in Math Sciences is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and techniques. The program requires students to complete a set of core courses, including calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra, as well as a selection of upper-division electives.
Degree Planning (BS)
The undergraduate catalog lists the full requirements for the Math BS degree. In addition to the standard General Education requirements, all math majors complete the Major Core, which includes two semesters of lab sciences (physics or chemistry), Calculus 1-3, Differential Equations, Intro to Proofs, Intro Linear Algebra, and an introductory programming course. In addition to the Major Core, students take at least 21 upper division credit hours. This is where students are able to customize their program of study to suit their needs.
Tracks within the Math Major
The Math Sciences program offers four tracks:
- Applied Mathematics: This track is designed to explore the use of mathematics in the physical, social, and life sciences as well as engineering. The core of this track concerns applied analysis, differential equations, first principle modeling, and computational competence.
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- MATH 4120 - Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH 4391 - Partial Differential Eqns I
- MATH 4635 - Intro Probability Theory
- MATH 4721 - Numerical Analysis
- Plus six upper division hours chosen from:
- MATH 3221 - Elementary Number Theory
- MATH 4242 - Linear Algebra
- MATH 4261 - Abstract Algebra
- MATH 4350 - Intro Real Analysis I
- MATH 4351 - Intro Real Analysis II
- MATH 4361 - Complex Variables
- MATH 4392 - Partial Differential Eqns II
- MATH 4396 - Perturbation Methods
- MATH 4640 - Intro Probability Models
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- General Mathematics: This track offers options and can easily be turned into graduate school preparation with only minor changes. It works well for double majors from engineering, physics, etc.
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- MATH 4242 - Linear Algebra
- MATH 4261 - Abstract Algebra
- MATH 4350 - Intro Real Analysis I
- MATH 4635 - Intro Probability Theory
- Plus 6 Upper Division Hours Chosen From:
- MATH 3221 - Elementary Number Theory
- MATH 4084 - Introduction to Graph Theory
- MATH 4120 - Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH 4351 - Intro Real Analysis II
- MATH 4361 - Complex Variables
- MATH 4391 - Partial Differential Eqns I
- MATH 4411 - Topology
- MATH 4636 - Intro Statistical Theory
- MATH 4721 - Numerical Analysis
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- Graduate Study in Mathematics: This track is designed for students who plan to pursue a PhD in mathematics. Graduate schools in mathematics look for applicants who have a strong foundation in real analysis and abstract algebra.
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- MATH 4242 - Linear Algebra
- MATH 4261 - Abstract Algebra
- MATH 4350 - Intro Real Analysis I
- MATH 4351 - Intro Real Analysis II
- MATH 4361 - Complex Variables
- Plus one additional course chosen from:
- MATH 3221 - Elementary Number Theory
- MATH 4084 - Introduction to Graph Theory
- MATH 4120 - Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH 4391 - Partial Differential Eqns I
- MATH 4411 - Topology
- MATH 4635 - Intro Probability Theory
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- Secondary Mathematics Education: This track is designed for students who want to become high school math teachers. While this program of study does not lead directly to licensure, it does provide students with a strong foundation of mathematics content knowledge.
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- MATH 3221 - Elementary Number Theory
- MATH 3581 - College Geometry
- MATH 4151 - History of Mathematics
- MATH 4261 - Abstract Algebra
- MATH 4635 - Intro Probability Theory
- Plus either:
- MATH 4636 - Intro Statistical Theory
- MATH 4637 - Stat Analysis/App Big Data
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
Concentration in Actuarial Sciences
The goal of this track is to prepare undergraduate students for a career in actuarial science. Courses required for a track in actuarial science at the University of Memphis are designed to prepare students for the first two examinations, Exam P (introductory probabilistic and statistical basis of actuarial science) and Exam FM (financial mathematics).
- Suggested Upper Division Electives:
- MATH 4636 - Introduction to Statistics
- MATH 4607 - Introduction to SAS
- MATH 4608 - Introduction to R
- Plus, the following courses:
- MATH 4635 - Introduction to Probability
- MATH 4020 - Actuarial Mathematics
- MATH 4022 - Financial Mathematics I
- MATH 4025 - Financial Mathematics II
- ECON 2010 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECON 2020 - Introduction to Microeconomics
- FIR 3410 - Financial Management
Concentration in Applied Statistics
Statistics has been described as the science of learning from data. The program in Applied Statistics focuses on the application of rigorous statistical methodology to the collection, modeling, analysis of data for the purpose of practical interpretation and application.
- Required Upper Division courses:
- MATH 4635 - Intro Probability Theory
- MATH 4636 - Intro Statistical Theory
- MATH 4637 - Stat Analysis/App Big Data
- One of the following:
- MATH 4607 - Intro SAS Programming
- MATH 4608 - R for Data Proc and Visual
- Plus 9 additional upper division electives chosen from:
- MATH 4020 - Actuarial Mathematics
- MATH 4242 - Linear Algebra
- MATH 4261 - Abstract Algebra
- MATH 4350 - Intro Real Analysis I
- MATH 4351 - Intro Real Analysis II
- MATH 4361 - Complex Variables
- MATH 4391 - Partial Differential Equations I
- MATH 4607 - Intro SAS Programming
- MATH 4608 - R for Data Proc and Visual
- MATH 4640 - Intro Probability Models
- MATH 4643 - Intro Regression/Time Ser Analysis
- MATH 4685 - Statistical Learning I
- MATH 4686 - Statistical Learning II
- MATH 4721 - Numerical Analysis
Concentration in Data Science
The emergence of data science as a major new discipline has led to the demand for data scientists outpacing the supply. The skill set needed for successful data scientists requires knowledge of statistics and computer science.
- Required Upper Division Electives:
- MATH 4635 - Intro Probability Theory
- MATH 4636 - Intro Statistical Theory
- MATH 4685 - Statistical Learning I
- MATH 4686 - Statistical Learning II
- COMP 2150 CS2: OOP and Data Structures
- COMP 4151 - Intro to Data Science
- COMP 4745 - Intro to Machine Learning