Mathematics Major at St. John Fisher College

Rochester, NY 14618 USA


Mathematics is a basic and dynamic human endeavor. It is admired for its structure and beauty. But, also, it is admired for its powerful applicability in other areas such as the sciences and social sciences.

The goal of the mathematics program is to enable students to become active participants in the study of mathematics, confident and sophisticated learners, independent as well as collaborative thinkers and inquirers.

Just as other disciplines have shaped and influenced the content of mathematics, so also other disciplines have influenced the shape of the curriculum, as the department also offers courses which serve the mathematical needs of other departments, such as the sciences and business management.

Thanks to a grant from the State of New York, the course in differential equations has been reformed in collaboration with the Chemistry Department for use in the course in physical chemistry. There is also a partnership with the Chemistry Department which develops applications that will be studied in the calculus sequence. Partnerships with the Physics and Management Departments also exist. These partnerships bring the applications and the techniques of these disciplines into the mathematics courses and also bring the insights and techniques of mathematics into courses in the partner disciplines.

New courses have been designed in the area of mathematical education in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics/Science/Technology Education.

Graduates of the program are equipped with the necessary knowledge for further graduate study, but also attention is paid to the needs of those who seek a career as a secondary school teacher of mathematics or other employment. Graduates have also become actuaries, statisticians, market analysts, scientific programmers and analysts and university professors.

There are additional upper-level courses in linear spaces, complex analysis, topology, advanced geometry, and number theory.

Requirements for the Mathematics Major

The official requirements are in the College Bulletin

MATH-120 Calculus I
MATH-122 Calculus II
MATH-200 Discrete Structures
MATH-221 Calculus III
MATH-222 Differential Equations
MATH-232 Linear Algebra
MATH-301 Probability and Statistics I
MATH-325 Abstract Algebra
MATH-391 Numerical Analysis I
MATH-421 Real Analysis I
MATH-422 Real Analysis II

Two additional courses in Mathematics at the 300-400 level.

Additional requirements for the B.S. degree or the B.A. degree

B.S. - Five more courses in Mathematics at the 300-400 level or from Computer Science (excepting CSCI-140, 150, 170, 220, 250, 260);
or PHYS-131-132 plus any three courses in biology, chemistry or physics numbered 131 or above;
or any five courses in biology, chemistry, or physics, three of which must be at or above the 200 level.

B.A. - A Minor of six courses in one department or cluster of departments (such as Education, if the student seeks secondary teacher certification), normally four of which are at the intermediate level or higher.

Other 300-400 Level Courses

Math-310 Number Theory
Math-417 Geometry
Math-418 Topology
Math-424 Complex Variables

Revised 8 June 1998

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