Applied Mathematics, BS

Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (345001BS)

More on the Applied Mathematics major

Do a Google search for “What is mathematics” and you will find such descriptions as: “the abstract science of number, quantity, and space. Mathematics may be studied in its own right (pure mathematics), or as it is applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics).”  In our modern world, it is hard to think of many things that we interact with on a daily basis (computers, the internet, or even your cell phone) that do not involve numbers, quantity, or space in some way. This is the reason that of all the STEM fields, arguably the most applicable and generic is that of Mathematics. This makes it one of the most useful fields you could study in order to be prepared for today’s (and tomorrow’s) jobs.

The program here at UA allows you to explore a mix of mathematical topics ranging across the spectrum of mathematical focus areas so that you can gain the expertise you need to succeed in today’s jobs, whether you want to analyze data for Google, work on cybersecurity for the NSA, or be part of an interdisciplinary team solving problems at the cutting edge of science or engineering. The great strength of mathematics is that new applications needed for tomorrow’s jobs are built on the same mathematical concepts you will be learning in your degree program today, and so mathematicians are one of the most employable groups of graduates, with one of the highest self-reported levels of job satisfaction.

Our BS in Applied Mathematics provides a core of mathematics courses that prepare you for in-depth study of mathematical concepts and their applications, while the later courses allow the flexibility for you to tailor your program to your specific areas of interest (both in and out of mathematics).

Our accelerated BS/MS program allows you to earn a BS in Applied Mathematics as well as a Master’s degree in just 5 years, decreasing both your investment of time and tuition dollars when compared to more traditional paths to earning these degrees.

The following information has official approval of The Department of Mathematics and The College of Engineering and Polymer Science, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.

Requirements

Summary

General Education Requirements36
Applied Mathematics Core29-30
Applied Mathematics Focus Area15-13
Applied Mathematics Electives15
Additional Credits for Graduation *25-27
Total Hours120-121
*

Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.

Note: A 2.0 GPA in all MATH courses is required for graduation. 

General Education Courses

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.
Academic Foundations12
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours
Speaking: 3 credit hours
Writing: 6 credit hours
Breadth of Knowledge 22
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours
Diversity
Domestic Diversity
Global Diversity
Integrated and Applied Learning2
Select one class from one of the following subcategories:
Complex Issues Facing Society
Capstone
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings.
Total Hours36
 
 

Applied Mathematics Core

MATH:221Analytic Geometry-Calculus I4
MATH:222Analytic Geometry-Calculus II4
MATH:223Analytic Geometry-Calculus III4
MATH:307Fundamentals of Advanced Mathematics3-4
or MATH:208 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
MATH:312Linear Algebra3
MATH:335Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations3
CPSC:209Computer Science I4
or CPSC:200 Programming for Data Science
STAT:461Applied Statistics4
Total Hours29-30

Complete one of the following three focus areas

Focus Area 1 - Computational Science and Mathematical Analysis

MATH:421Advanced Calculus I3
MATH:422Advanced Calculus II3
or MATH:425 Complex Variables
MATH:427Applied Numerical Methods I3
MATH:428Applied Numerical Methods II3
MATH:436Mathematical Models3
or MATH:439 Applied Analysis and PDEs
Total Hours15

Focus Area 2 - Mathematical Data Science 

Required courses
MATH:200Introduction to Data Science3
MATH:300Tools for Data Science3
MATH:450Optimization3
MATH:455Deep Learning3
STAT:480Statistical Data Management3
or ISM:324 Database Management for Information Systems
Total Hours15

Focus Area 3 - Foundations

MATH:401History of Mathematics3
MATH:411Abstract Algebra I3
MATH:421Advanced Calculus I3
MATH:441Concepts in Geometry4
Total Hours13

Applied Mathematics Electives

Select 15 credits at the 300/400 level of which at least 6 credits are from some approved area such as Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Engineering, Physics, Statistics, etc.15
Total Hours15

Note:

  • A minimum of 14 credits of MATH, CPSC, & STAT must be taken at The University of Akron.
  • The courses MATH:135 Mathematics for Everyday LifeMATH:140 Mathematics for Early/Middle Teachers 1MATH:145 Algebra for CalculusMATH:149 Precalculus MathematicsSTAT:250 Statistics for Everyday LifeSTAT:260 Basic Statistics-STAT:262 Introductory Statistics II, and most CPSC courses do not meet these degree requirements.
  • Please see the Graduate Bulletin for BS/MS program information.

Recommended Sequences

Computational Science and Mathematical Analysis

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL:111 English Composition I 3
CPSC:200 Programming for Data Science 4
MATH:200 Introduction to Data Science 3
MATH:221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 4
Elective 3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
ENGL:112 English Composition II 3
MATH:222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 4
MATH:300 Tools for Data Science 3
Natural Science Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
2nd Year
Fall Semester
MATH:223 Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 4
MATH:307 Fundamentals of Advanced Mathematics 3
STAT:461 Applied Statistics 4
ACCT:250 Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
MATH:312 Linear Algebra 3
MATH:335 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
Speaking Requirement 3
Natural Science with Lab 4
Social Science with Domestic Diversity 3
 Hours16
3rd Year
Fall Semester
MATH:421 Advanced Calculus I 3
Social Science Requirement 3
Upper-level math elective 3
Upper-level applied elective 3
Art/Humanities with Global Diversity 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MATH:422
Advanced Calculus II
or Complex Variables
3
Art/Humanities Requirement 3
Integrated and Applied Learning Requirement 3
Upper-level math requirement 3
Upper-level math requirement 3
 Hours15
4th Year
Fall Semester
MATH:427 Applied Numerical Methods I 3
Art/Humanities Requirement 3
Upper-level math requirement 3
General elective 3
General elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MATH:428 Applied Numerical Methods II 3
MATH:436
Mathematical Models
or Applied Analysis and PDEs
3
Upper-level applied elective 3
General Elective 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours120

Mathematical Data Science 

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL:111 English Composition I 3
MATH:200 Introduction to Data Science 3
MATH:221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 4
Elective 3
CPSC:200 Programming for Data Science 4
 Hours17
Spring Semester
ENGL:112 English Composition II 3
MATH:222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 4
MATH:300 Tools for Data Science 3
Natural Science Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
2nd Year
Fall Semester
MATH:223 Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 4
MATH:208 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics 4
STAT:461 Applied Statistics 4
ACCT:250 Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MATH:312 Linear Algebra 3
MATH:335 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
Speaking Requirement 3
Natural Science with Lab 4
Social Science with Domestic Diversity 3
 Hours16
3rd Year
Fall Semester
STAT:480
Statistical Data Management
or Database Management for Information Systems
3
Social Science Requirement 3
Upper-level applied elective 2 3
Upper-level applied elective 2 3
Art/Humanities with Global Diversity 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MATH:450
Optimization
or Deep Learning
3
Art/Humanities requirement 3
Integrated and Applied Learning Requirement 3
Upper-level math elective 3
Upper-level math elective 3
 Hours15
4th Year
Fall Semester
Art/Humanities Requirement 3
Upper-level applied elective 2 3
Upper-level math elective 3
General elective 3
General elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MATH:455
Deep Learning
or Optimization
3
Upper-level math elective 3
Upper-level math elective 3
General elective 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours121
2

It is recommended that the upper-level applied electives for the Mathematical Data Science focus area be in Statistics or Economics.

Foundations

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL:111 English Composition I 3
CPSC:200 Programming for Data Science 4
MATH:221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 4
MATH:200 Introduction to Data Science 3
Elective 3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
ENGL:112 English Composition II 3
MATH:222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 4
MATH:300 Tools for Data Science 3
Natural Science Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
2nd Year
Fall Semester
MATH:223 Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 4
MATH:307 Fundamentals of Advanced Mathematics 3
STAT:461 Applied Statistics 4
ACCT:250 Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
MATH:312 Linear Algebra 3
MATH:335 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
Speaking requirement 3
Natural Science Requirement with Lab 4
Social Science with Domestic Diversity 3
 Hours16
3rd Year
Fall Semester
MATH:411 Abstract Algebra I 3
MATH:441 Concepts in Geometry 4
Social Science requirement 3
Upper-level applied elective 3
Art/Humanities with Global Diversity 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
MATH:401 History of Mathematics 3
Art/Humanities requirement 3
Integrated and Applied Learning Requirement 3
Upper-level math elective 3
Upper-level math elective 3
 Hours15
4th Year
Fall Semester
MATH:421 Advanced Calculus I 3
Art/Humanities requirement 3
Upper-level math elective 3
General elective 3
General elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Upper-level applied elective 3
Upper-level applied elective 3
Upper-level applied elective 3
General elective 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours121