Mathematical Sciences

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Traditionally, mathematics has been one of the cornerstones upon which the physical sciences have been founded. Today, the increasingly complex problems encountered in such fields as engineering, management science, economics, medical science, biology, and agriculture (to name just a few) all require the expertise of individuals possessing strong mathematical skills.

The advent of high speed computers has led to a great demand for people educated in computational mathematics (for example, operations research, statistics, numerical analysis, etc.) as well as in traditional mathematics. Illinois Wesleyan's mathematical sciences program can provide a sound educational foundation for many careers. In particular, an undergraduate degree in mathematics is the typical preparation for mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries.

The Mathematical Association of America, through its Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM), gives national recommendations about undergraduate majors in mathematical sciences. Our mathematics major at IWU blends very nicely with a recommendation by the CUPM that mathematics programs have several components and opportunities. Illinois Wesleyan University offers both a major and minor in mathematics.

Degree Requirements:

Major Sequence: A minimum of ten course units in mathematics to include:

• One of the calculus sequences (Math 155, 156, 157, or Math 161, 162, 163, or Math 165, 166)
• Math 200 Techniques of Mathematical Proof
• Math 215 Linear Algebra

And a minimum of six courses that satisfy the following requirements:

Two courses selected from:

• Math 405 Modern Algebra
• Math 415 Introduction to Real Analysis
• Math 425 Topics in Geometry
• Math 440 Topology
• Math 489 Topics in Mathematics

Four additional electives in mathematics selected from the following topics: Math 220 Discrete Mathematics, Math 240 Differential Equations, Math 300 Mathematical Modeling, Math 307 Numerical Analysis, Math 310 Combinatorics and Graph Theory, Math 311 Parallel Computing, Math 324 Probability, Math 325 Mathematical Statistics, Math 330 Linear Programming, Math 351 Wavelet Analysis, Math 360 Topics in Logic, Math 405 Modern Algebra, Math 415 Introduction to Real Analysis, Math 440 Topology, Math 499 Research/Thesis, or approved 389/489 Topics in Mathematics.

Additional courses for the major include:

• CS 127 or its equivalent as approved by the Head of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Students must take at least one 400-level mathematics course from the following in their senior year.

• Math 405 Modern Algebra
• Math 415 Introduction to Real Analysis
• Math 440 Topology
• Math 499 Research/Thesis

Minor Sequence: A minimum of six course units in mathematics to include:

• Two units from one of the sequences of calculus
• Four electives, to include at least two numbered 300 or above but excluding 397, selected from those numbered 200 or above

    OR

• Three units from one of the calculus sequences (Math 155, 156, 157, or Math 161, 162, 163)
• Three electives, to include at least two numbered 300 or above but excluding 397, selected from those numbered 200 or above.

For course descriptions, please see the University Catalog

Faculty:

The thing that is unique about the Illinois Wesleyan mathematics department is that students have contact with active professionals from day one as first-year students. Our faculty members are scholars who have actively contributed to their disciplines of interest; linear algebra, operations research, graph theory, topos theory, fuzzy sets, probability, approximation theory, etc. At other universities, you often do not work closely with professors until you are a junior or senior. Here, at IWU we encourage our students to work with us, both in class and through independent research projects under our guidance. Faculty members include:

• Dr. Melvyn Jeter, Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department
• Dr. Zahia Drici, Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and Director of General Education
• Dr. Tian Xiao He, Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics
• Seung-Hwan Lee, PhD. Assistant Professor of Mathematics
• Dr. Lawrence Neff Stout, Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics
• Dr. Michael Dancs, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mathematics