B.S. Mathematics - Programs of Study
All Mathematics majors complete a set of eight classes in our Mathematics Major Core shown below:
- MATH 1910 - Calculus I
- MATH 1920 - Calculus II
- MATH 2110 - Calculus III
- MATH 3010 - Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
- MATH 3450 - Linear Algebra
- MATH/STAT 4240 - Probability
- MATH 4450 - Mathematical Models
- MATH/STAT 4810 - Senior Seminar
In addition to the core classes, students choose between one of five options for their concentration that determines the remaining requirements for their major: Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Statistics, Actuarial Science, or Data Science. See below the description of each concentration and a 4-year plan to help you design your schedule to complete a Math Major. Click on any of our majors or concentrations for further information.
Mathematics Major
Mathematics provides elegant and effective tools for solving problems in virtually every area of human endeavor, from the sciences to business and economics to the social sciences and is especially appealing to students who like to solve problems. The purpose of the Mathematics concentration is to give students an understanding of the structure of mathematics, to stimulate their interest in research, and to prepare them for later work. Students can use their background in mathematics as an entry to other fields such as physics, computer science, software engineering, economics, business, finance, medicine or law. Our major also fully prepares our majors for further study in Master's of Ph.D. programs in mathematics or other related fields. We invite you to join us in exploring the fascinating world of mathematics and its applications. Students can select between a pure or applied math option if they choose a mathematics major without one of the following concentrations.
Mathematics Education Concentration
The Mathematics Education concentration leads to a secondary certification in mathematics. The secondary certification licensure is designed for individuals desiring to teach mathematics in grades 7-12 in both middle and high school settings, although additional coursework in education is also required. School systems are always in need of graduates with strong mathematical backgrounds to teach and inspire our next generation of doctors, scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
Statistics Concentration
Statistics is the the science of gathering and analyzing data. Statisticians are employed all over the world in many capacities: to determine effectiveness and safety of new medicines for pharmaceutical companies; to control quality in manufacturing processes; to determine policy premiums and estimate probable payoffs for insurance companies; to analyze consumer demand; to plan and develop services for various segments of society by government agencies. For more information on careers in statistics, please visit the website for the American Statistical Association:http://www.amstat.org/careers
Although there are jobs for statisticians with undergraduate degrees, a number of employers require an advanced degree. The statistics concentration at Austin Peay provides excellent preparation for work at the Master's level; our graduates have gone to graduate school in statistics or taken actuary exams.
Actuarial Science Concentration
Actuarial science is the use of mathematics and statistics to study and manage risk, focusing on ways to evaluate the probabilities of future events occurring and finding ways to decrease the chances of or reduce the impact of negative events. Actuaries combine their skills in math, stats, finance, and economics to solve problems involving risk working in the insurance industry, for the government, and for banks and other financial entities. Our Actuarial Science concentration prepares for a career as an actuary, which is consistently ranked as a top job in terms of salary, work environment, and employment outlook, along with many other careers in finance and insurance.
Data Science Concentration
Data science is an emerging field. There is a high demand for data science professionals across many industries including technology, public health, business, insurance, banking, environment, and others. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for data scientists will increase faster than the average until the year of 2028.
Minor in Mathematics
Mathematics plays increasingly important roles in many fields including economics,
biology, medicine, manufacturing, and logistics just to name a few. Many graduate
programs in these areas encourage or expect applicants to be competent in calculus,
linear algebra, and statistics. An eighteen hour minor in mathematics can accomplish
this requirement in most cases.
Actuarial Science Minor
Actuaries play a vital role in today’s economy. They manage risk: the chance that
undesirable, unexpected event occurs. Actuaries help to manage financial risk that
arise from uncertainty. Actuaries works not just in insurance companies, but also
in government, private corporations, college and universities, banks and investment
firms, public accounting firms, labor unions, rating bureaus and many other places.
No matter where they work, the actuarial profession is consistently rated as one of
top ranked jobs. Regardless of your major, an actuarial science minor would be a great
addition to your resume. With eighteen credit hours, this would be an ideal minor
for students who are graduating with major in computer science, business, finance,
accounting, physics, mathematics or engineering.
Applied Statistics Minor
Statistics is vital to every modern industry including forensic science, agriculture,
engineering, medicine, business, finance, healthcare administration- statisticians
play in everyone’s backyard! General knowledge of even some basic statistical tools
make you competitive in the job market, and using these tools can actually be fun!
Job prospects are very good for those with statistical sense, and statisticians with
graduate degrees command very good starting salaries. Regardless of your major, a
statistics minor can be attractive on a resume and very useful on the job.
Course Descriptions
The academic bulletin includes course descriptions for Mathematics and Statistics courses.