The Breakdown of the Mathematics Major

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer Tim Shar

Want to understand the beauty of the world around you and challenge yourself through mathematical formulas to understand this beauty? Belmont Abbey College Mathematics Major will provide you with critical analysis tools to help you understand the beauty of the physical world, such as the U.S. Capitol’s dome and the Gateway Arc.

Not only will it help you understand the physical world, but it will also help you develop analytical skills, such as critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. In math classes, you will learn to break down a complicated problem into a series of manageable steps and solve the problem step by step. For example, math classes such as Discrete Math and Real Analysis will help you with your reasoning skills and teach you to analyze problems. The math courses offered here at the Abbey also provide great opportunities for you to minor in Computer Science and a concentration in Physics since many of the classes overlap

Note that not every class is offered every semester: 

B.A. in Mathematics 

Major Requirements: 

• MA 201: Calculus I 
• MA 202: Calculus II 
• MA 203: Calculus III 
• MA 208: Statistics 
• MA 222: Discrete Mathematics 
• MA 311: Elementary Linear Algebra 
• MA 321: Differential Equations 
• MA 419: Modern Algebra 
• MA 430: Real Analysis 
• MA 490: Senior Seminar I 

Any one of the following: 

• MA 235: History of Mathematics 
• MA 305: Advanced Statistics 
• MA 335: Advanced Calculus 
• MA 340: Numerical Analysis 
• MA 350: Probability 
• MA 405: Topology 
• MA 410: Elementary Number Theory 
• MA 415: Partial Differential Equations 
• MA 491: Senior Seminar II 
• CS 234: Introduction to C++ 
• CS 325: Logic and Algorithms 

Other Courses: General Elective hours (33-36 hours) 

B.S. In Mathematics 

Major Requirements: 

• MA 201: Calculus I 
• MA 202: Calculus II 
• MA 203: Calculus III 
• MA 208: Statistics 
• MA 222: Discrete Mathematics 
• MA 311: Elementary Linear Algebra 
• MA 321: Differential Equations 
• MA 419: Modern Algebra 
• MA 430: Real Analysis 
• MA 490: Senior Seminar I 
• MA 491: Senior seminar II 
• CS 234: Introduction to C++ 

Any two from among the following: 

• MA 235: History of Mathematics 
• MA 305: Advanced Statistics 
• MA 335: Advance Calculus 
• MA 340: Numerical Analysis 
• MA 350:Probability 
• MA 405: Topology 
• MA 410: Elementary Number Theory 
• MA 415: Partial Differential Equations 
• MA 420: Geometry 
• MA 435 Complex Analysis
• CS 235: Logic and Algorithms

Other Courses: Students need to complete one of the following course combinations to meet the remainder of the 120 hours required for the degree: 

• PY 201 with PY 202 and 22-25 hours of General Electives 
• CH 105 and CH 106 with 22-25 hours of General Electives 
• Two lab-based Biology courses at the 200 level or higher with 22-25 hours of General Electives 
• CS 201 and CS 234 with 23-26 hours of General Elective

With a mathematics major, I am able to pursue a minor in Computer Science and a concentration in Physics. With a math degree, I plan to go into teaching and then into Architecture. Besides pursuing a career in education and architecture, you can also pursue a career in Accounting, Data Analyst, Finance, Engineering, Mathematics, and many other careers.

This article was originally posted in the Spring 2023, Issue 3 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.