Mathematics, BS

Program Overview

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Mathematics, BS

The Department of Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, which is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in mathematics and its applications. The program is suitable for students who wish to pursue careers in mathematics, science, engineering, or other fields that require a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and techniques.

Degree Requirements

Completion of the major typically requires approximately 40 credits, depending on student preparation and choices made. Students can select one of the following options:

• Regular mathematics major
• Mathematics major with Advanced Track program
• Mathematics major with the Secondary Teacher Education option

Requirements for regular mathematics major

• Single-variable Calculus:
  • One of the following sequences:
    • MAT 131 - Calculus I (4 credits)
    • MAT 132 - Calculus II (4 credits)
    • OR
    • MAT 125 - Calculus A (3 credits) (or MAT 130/MAT 125)
    • MAT 126 - Calculus B (3 credits)
    • MAT 127 - Calculus C (3 credits)
    • OR
    • AMS 151 - Applied Calculus I (3 credits)
    • AMS 161 - Applied Calculus II (3 credits)
• Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations:
  • One course in multivariable calculus:
    • MAT 203 - Calculus III with Applications (4 credits)
    • OR
    • MAT 307 - Multivariable Calculus with Linear Algebra (4 credits)
    • OR
    • AMS 261 - Applied Calculus III (4 credits)
  • One course in introductory linear algebra:
    • MAT 211 - Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 credits)
    • OR
    • AMS 210 - Applied Linear Algebra (3 credits)
  • One course in differential equations:
    • MAT 303 - Calculus IV with Applications (4 credits)
    • OR
    • MAT 308 - Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (4 credits)
    • OR
    • AMS 361 - Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations (4 credits)
• Preparation in the Language and Logic of Mathematics:
  • This requirement can be met by either passing MAT 200 or MAT 250 or by passing the MAT 200 challenge examination.
• Computer Literacy:
  • Select one course below:
    • MAT 331 - Computer-Assisted Mathematical Problem Solving (3 credits)
    • PHY 277 - Computation for Physics and Astronomy (3 credits)
    • CSE 101 - Computer Science Principles (4 credits)
    • CSE 110 - Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits)
    • CSE 114 - Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (4 credits)
    • ESG 111 - Programming for Engineers (3 credits)
    • LIN 120 - Language and Technology (3 credits)
    • LIN 335 - Computational Linguistics (3 credits)
    • MAE 330 - Technology in Mathematics Education (3 credits) (for students graduating with the Secondary Teacher Education option)
• Advanced Linear Algebra Course:
  • MAT 310 - Linear Algebra (4 credits)
  • OR
  • MAT 315 - Advanced Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• A Course in Abstract Algebra:
  • MAT 312 - Applied Algebra (3 credits)
  • OR
  • MAT 313 - Abstract Algebra (3 credits)
• Analysis:
  • Students not in the Secondary Teacher option must satisfy all three items below:
    • 1. MAT 319 - Foundations of Analysis (4 credits)
    • OR
    • MAT 320 - Introduction to Analysis (4 credits)
    • 2. MAT 342 - Applied Complex Analysis (3 credits)
    • 3. One more course in analysis, to chosen from MAT 322, MAT 324, MAT 341
• Four mathematics-related courses beyond those taken to satisfy Requirements 5, 6, 7
  • Four mathematics-related courses beyond those taken to satisfy Requirements 5, 6, and 7 (three will suffice if all of them are MAT courses), to be chosen from the following list. Note that MAE 330 and MAT 331 may be used to satisfy both requirement 4 as well as requirement 8.
• Writing Requirement:
  • Students following the Stony Brook Curriculum will fulfill the upper division writing requirement by completing the objectives for Writing within the Discipline (WRTD) and successful completion of MAT 319 or MAT 320 with a grade of C or better.

Advanced Track Program

The advanced track program is intended for better prepared students, who already have credit for Calculus I, Calculus II (or AP Calculus BC). The courses in the program are more rigorous and concentrate on logic and proofs rather than on computational methods. This program allows students to take graduate classes in their senior year (or possibly even in their junior year). In particular, this program is recommended for students considering graduate school in Mathematics.

Requirements

• Single-variable Calculus:
  • MAT 131 - Calculus I (4 credits) AND
  • MAT 132 - Calculus II (4 credits)
  • OR
  • Level 9 on Math Placement exam
  • OR
  • AP Calculus BC credit (with score 4 or 5)
• Introductory Linear Algebra:
  • MAT 211 - Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 credits)
  • OR
  • MAT 307 - Multivariable Calculus with Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• Preparation in the Language and Logic of Mathematics:
  • MAT 250 - Introduction to Advanced Mathematics (4 credits) (recommended)
  • OR
  • MAT 200 - Logic, Language and Proof (3 credits)
• Advanced Linear Algebra:
  • MAT 315 - Advanced Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• Analysis:
  • MAT 313 - Abstract Algebra (3 credits)
  • MAT 314 - Abstract Algebra II (3 credits)
• Abstract Algebra:
  • MAT 313 - Abstract Algebra (3 credits)
  • MAT 314 - Abstract Algebra II (3 credits)
• Complex Analysis:
  • MAT 342 - Applied Complex Analysis (3 credits)
• A Course in Differential Equations:
  • MAT 308 - Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (4 credits)
  • OR
  • MAT 303 - Calculus IV with Applications (4 credits)
• One Course in Computer Literacy:
  • (see requirement 4 of regular math major)
• Four mathematics-related courses beyond those taken to satisfy Requirements 1 through 7
  • Four mathematics-related courses beyond those taken to satisfy Requirements 1 through 7 (three will suffice if all of them are MAT courses), to be chosen from the list given in requirement 8 of the regular math major. Note: MAT 331 may be used both here and in requirement 9.
• Writing Requirement:
  • Students following the Stony Brook Curriculum will fulfill the upper division writing requirement by completing the objectives for Writing within the Discipline (WRTD) and successful completion of MAT 319 or MAT 320 with a grade of C or better.

Mathematics Honors Program

The honors program is open to junior and senior Mathematics majors who have completed at least two upper-division MAT courses with grades of B or higher and who have maintained a 3.00 overall grade point average. A prospective honors major must declare to the director of undergraduate studies an intention to participate in the program before registering for the senior year. The program consists of a set of seven MAT courses, at least three of which are not used to fulfill the MAT major requirements. These courses must include: MAT 322 or MAT 324; MAT 401 or MAT 402; a course in algebra other than MAT 310; and MAT 495. Substitution of appropriate graduate courses is permitted, and other substitutions are possible at the discretion of the undergraduate director. Conferral of honors is contingent upon:

1. Completion of the set of seven courses with a grade point average of at least 3.50;
2. Approval for honors by the faculty member or members who supervise MAT 495.

Mathematics Secondary Teacher Education Program

See the Education and Teacher Certification entry.

Beginning Mathematics Courses

The Mathematics curriculum begins with a choice of calculus sequences, some including preparatory material from 12th-year mathematics in high school and some not. The three first-term calculus courses that assume knowledge of 12th-year mathematics are MAT 125, MAT 131, MAT 141, and AMS 151. A student may start any of these with the same background. The three-semester sequence of one-variable calculus, MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 127, is academically equivalent to the two-semester sequence MAT 131, MAT 132. Engineering students normally take the faster-paced MAT 131, MAT 132, or AMS 151, AMS 161 rather than MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 127 because of the many requirements they must meet. MAT 141, MAT 142 is an enriched version of MAT 131, MAT 132. MAT 171 is a version of MAT 142 for students who have not taken MAT 141; offered only in the fall semester. MAT 122 and MAT 123 combine precalculus and calculus for students who have not had a precalculus course in high school. A student who completes MAT 122 will have learned some precalculus material and will have a good idea of what calculus is and how it is used. MAT 123 is designed to lead into MAT 125 or MAT 131. Although MAT 122 is not designed as preparation for further calculus courses, students may follow that course with MAT 125 or MAT 131 if they take the one-credit course MAT 130 in the same semester as MAT 125 or MAT 131. MAT 118 is a non-calculus course that surveys various topics in mathematics that do not require a background in precalculus or calculus; it is designed for students who do not intend to take further courses in mathematics. For students whose high school preparation is insufficient to begin the MAT curriculum, or to enroll in another course applicable to the D.E.C. category C requirement, Mathematical and Statistical Reasoning, there are two review courses numbered MAP 101 and MAP 103. These courses do not carry graduation credit. MAP 103, a skills course, is for students who need further work in high school algebra and related topics before continuing with calculus or other mathematics. Some students, upon completing MAP 103, are able to pass the Mathematics Placement Examination at a level that allows them to go directly into MAT 125 or MAT 131.

Placement

The Department of Mathematics offers a placement examination which indicates the level of mathematical preparation of each student. The score on the examination is used to place the student in appropriate courses in mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics, biology, computer science, chemistry, and physics. It tests the student’s skills at the time the test is taken; students are advised to review their mathematics beforehand.

A student who wishes to use the placement examination to fulfill D.E.C. Category C, the QPS objective of the S.B.C, or other graduation-related requirements or Skill 1, or if they have been or wish to be accepted into a major in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, must take a proctored version of the examination. This examination is given regularly to incoming students prior to orientation, as well as several times during the academic year and by appointment with the Mathematics Department. An unproctored, online version of the exam can be given in the case where taking the proctored version prior to orientation is impractical; this version of the exam can be used only for registration purposes and may not be used to fulfill graduation requirements.

The placement exam consists of several parts; not all students will take all parts of the exam. Part I covers high school algebra, Part II deals with 12th year high school Mathematics (precalculus), and Part III covers single-variable calculus.

Math Placement Exam Score | Placement into… | SBC ---|---|--- 1 | MAP 101 advised, MAP 103 possible | 2 | MAP 103 | 2+ | MAT 118 or Statistics or MAT 119+MAT 123 | 3 | MAT 122 or MAT 123 | 3+ | MAT 130+MAT 125 | 4 | MAT 125; MAT 200 | 5 | MAT 131 or AMS 151 | 6 | MAT 126 | QPS 7 | MAT 132 or AMS 161; MAT 211 or AMS 210; MAT 250 | QPS 8 | MAT 127 | QPS 9 | Beyond 100-level calculus | QPS

Levels 1 through 3 can be achieved by a sufficiently high score on Part I, and levels 3+ through 5 can be achieved by a sufficiently high score on Part II, and attaining levels 6-9 requires sufficiently high scores on Parts II and III. The entry skill in mathematics requirement may be satisfied by attaining a score of level 3 or higher on the proctored exam. The general education requirement for Mathematics (the Stony Brook Curriculum QPS objective, or D.E.C. category C) may be satisfied by attaining a score of level 6 or higher on the proctored exam. Certain majors will also accept a sufficiently high score on the proctored exam in lieu of required math courses.

A student who achieves a particular level is free to begin with a mathematics course corresponding to a lower level, so long as taking the course does not mean that credit is given for the same material twice.

Transfer Credit

When they enter, transfer students automatically receive credit toward graduation at Stony Brook for any courses they have already successfully completed at accredited institutions of higher education and that count toward graduation at that institution. The number of credits transferred appears on the Stony Brook transcript with no courses or grades indicated, and the number of transferred credits is unaffected by the student’s score on the Mathematics Placement Examination. In some cases, a course designator ending in PQ (such as MAT 131PQ) may be placed on the student’s transcript. In addition, transferred mathematics courses are automatically evaluated for applicability to the entry skill in mathematics requirement and the D.E.C. category C requirement or SBC requirement QPS; this evaluation does not depend on the result of the placement examination.