Program Overview

Mathematics

Overview

The Mathematics sequence in the Mathematics major first provides students with a strong foundation in Mathematics and then gives students the flexibility to explore various aspects of the discipline.

There is also the flexibility within the Mathematics major for a student to pursue a minor in a related field of study. Such a program can prepare students for jobs in industry and government as well as prepare students for graduate study in Mathematics and related fields.

Why study Mathematics?

Mathematics is one of the oldest and the most basic sciences divided into two categories: Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Mathematics.

Theoretical Math is involved with advancing science by developing new principles and new relationships between existing principles of math. Applied Math uses the theories and formulates and solves practical problems in business, government, and engineering and the physical, life, and social sciences.

Point of Pride

The Actuarial Science Program at Illinois State University is a Center for Actuarial Excellence (CAE), one of the first nine academic programs in the United States to receive that recognition in 2009, and the first one in the State of Illinois. Illinois State was also one of the first four institutions in the world to be honored with the Casualty Actuarial Society University Award in 2016, and we also won that award again in 2019, after a required three-year waiting period.

Department of Mathematics

• Stevenson Hall 313
• College of Arts and Sciences

Program Level

• Bachelor's degree

Majors

• Mathematics
• Mathematics - Statistics
• Mathematics - Teacher Education (Grades 9-12)

Minors

• Mathematics

Graduate Programs

• Master's: Mathematics
• Master's: Mathematics - Actuarial Science
• Master's: Mathematics - Actuarial Science (Online)
• Master's: Mathematics - Applied Statistics
• Master's: Mathematics - Biomathematics
• Master's: Mathematics - Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Ed

Research Areas

• Actuarial Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Biomathematics
• Mathematics Education
• Pure Mathematics
• Statistics

Admission Criteria

• Incoming Freshman:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • ACT or SAT scores
• Transfer Students:
  • Transferable college credits
  • GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Graduate Students:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mathematics or related field
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • GRE scores (optional)

Tuition Fees

• In-state tuition: $10,000 - $15,000 per year
• Out-of-state tuition: $20,000 - $30,000 per year
• Graduate tuition: $10,000 - $20,000 per year

Scholarships

• Available for undergraduate and graduate students
• Merit-based and need-based scholarships
• Application deadlines vary

Career Opportunities

• Actuary
• Data Analyst
• Mathematician
• Math Teacher
• Statistician

Faculty

• List of faculty members with their research interests and expertise

Facilities

• Stevenson Hall
• Mathematics and Statistics Department
• Computer labs and software

Student Organizations

• Mathematics Club
• Actuarial Science Club
• Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honor Society)