There are three Programs (A, B, & C) leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree:
Program A is the traditional and most general degree. The program is extremely flexible. One student might take electives specificially preparing for graduate work in math, while another might take courses emphasizing tools for applications, including 22C: (Computer Science) and 22S: (Statistics and Actuarial Science) electives.
Program B serves the math majors who are preparing for secondary school teaching. This is a carefully designed program enabling students to satisfy the State of Iowa requiremnts for Secondary Teaching Certification, as well as College of Education and Department of Mathematics requirements. After completing at least 40 semester hours of college credit, including two semesters of calculus (and with satisfactory GPA), a student applies for admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) in the College of Education. The student continues to be advised jointly by Mathematics and Education faculty. In addition to mathematics courses, TEP students take specified courses in Education and cen select liberal arts GE courses to meet other State requirements. However, a student amy pursue Program B without being admitted to the TEP.
Program C is designed for students who want a degree in mathematics with a clear specialization in some area of application. The key is that certain courses in the area of application are counted towards the Mathematics degree. (This also facilitates double majors or major/minor combinations.) Students can focus on areas for which templates already have been designed (Optimal Business Decision Making, Economics, Physics, Biomathematics, Biostatistics, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Statistics & Actuarial Science) or propose new ones. In consultation with a Mathematics faculty advisor, the student prepares a program of studies tailor-made to his/her future plans or career needs. The proposed program of studies must be approved by the Director of the Undergraduate Program and the Mathematics Department Undergraduate Committee. To apply for program C you will need to fill out this form.
For listings of the required courses for each program and to see the templates for Program C, please read the Handbook for Undergraduate Majors, or you can obtain a copy of the handbook in the department office, room 14 in MacLean Hall.
