2019-2020 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin
Mathematics, BS
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Overview
Graduates with a BS in Mathematics will, if they wish to pursue studies at the graduate level, be prepared with the necessary analytical skills, openness to new ideas, and positive attitudes (patience, persistence, and enthusiasm) for success. Those going on to employment will have the analytical skills that they need, an ability to learn new ones, and habits of mind that are conducive to productive and rewarding work. Graduates will be aware that mathematics is often a collaborative activity, and that careful reading and clear writing are as important as computational skills. They will know that mathematics is continually growing as research answers old questions and brings forth new ones. Finally, they will find joy in learning, doing, and communicating mathematics to others.
Learning Outcomes
- Graduates with a B.S. in Mathematics will have a solid basic understanding of core areas of mathematics, including linear algebra, abstract algebra, and analysis, as well as a broader range of mathematics and its applications.
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- Graduates with a B.S. in Mathematics will be able to formulate mathematical concepts, frame mathematical proofs, and communicate mathematics clearly.
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- Graduates with a B.S. in Mathematics will be skilled in the use of statistics.
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Transfer Requirement
In addition to the minimum University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, a student seeking to transfer to the mathematics major from another program within the University, or from another accredited college or university, is required to have earned a grade of “B” or higher in at least one of the following courses, or their USC equivalent:
Retention and Other Details
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A grade of C or better is required in each MATH course.
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A student may enroll in each MATH course a maximum of two times. (Enrolled in a course is interpreted to mean that a grade, including W or WF, has been recorded.)
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A student may repeat a maximum of three MATH courses. (Receiving a grade of W is not to be considered a repeat.)
Major Map
A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.
Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.
Mathematics, BS
Degree Requirements (120 hours)
Program of Study
- Carolina Core (34-46 hours)
- College Requirements (15-19 hours)
- Program Requirements (31-47 hours)
- Major Requirements (24 hours)
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1. Carolina Core (34-46 hours)
Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written — CMW (6 hours)
must be passed with a grade of C or higher
Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving — ARP (8 hours)
must be passed with a grade of C or higher
Scientific Literacy — SCI (8 hours)
Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language — GFL (0-6 hours)
Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.
Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking — GHS (3 hours)
Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences — GSS (3 hours)
Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding — AIU (3 hours)
Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component* — CMS (0-3 hours)
Information Literacy* — INF (0-3 hours)
Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility* — VSR (0-3 hours)
*Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.
2. College Requirements (15-19 hours)
Foreign Language (0-3 hours)
- only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency
Analytical Reasoning (6-7 hours)
Must be passed with a grade of C or higher
History (3 hours)
The College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course. Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. Accordingly, please select one of the following:
- One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on U.S. History: HIST 111 , 112 , 214 , or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Science to fit this geographic category.
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- One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on non-U.S. History: HIST 101 , 102 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 108 , 109 , GERM 280 , FAMS 300 , or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category.
Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (6 hours)
Courses Acceptable for Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Three hours of Social Science
- Three hours of Fine Arts or Humanities
3. Program Requirements (31-47 hours)
Supporting Courses (6 hours)
Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
Cognate or Minor (12-18 hours)
Cognate
The cognate is intended to support the course work in the major. The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs, depending on the interests of the student and the judgment of the advisor.
Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences .
For cognate course offerings in other colleges, consult the appropriate sections of this bulletin. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements.
It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. The cognate must be approved by the major advisor as being related to the major field of study. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.
For Bachelor of Science degrees, grades of D are acceptable for completion of the cognate requirement, except where restricted by the major program.
Minor
In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. (Some minors in the sciences require a minimum of 16 hours.) The subject area of the minor may be related to the major. Students pursuing interdisciplinary minors who wish to use courses in their major department for minor credit must petition the College Committee on Scholastic Standards and Petitions for permission to do so.
The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must be concentrated in one area and must follow a structured sequence. Interdisciplinary minors can be designed with the approval of the assistant dean for academic affairs and advising.
Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University.
A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z .
Electives (7-29 hours)
No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.
4. Major Requirements (24 hours)
A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.
Major Courses (9 hours)
Major Electives (15 hours)
At least one course from the following:
At least 12 hours of MATH electives numbered 500-599. The choice of the four MATH electives should be made to support the student’s educational goals and career objectives. The courses listed below are available for MATH elective credit. (As MATH 544, 546, and 554 are required of all majors, these are not listed.) Undergraduate students interested in taking 700-level MATH courses as elective credit should consult the Graduate Bulletin.
- Algebra
- Analysis
- Differential Equations and Modeling
- Discrete Mathematics
- Financial Mathematics and Probability
- Geometry
- Mathematic Logic
- Number Theory
- Optimization and Computation
- Special Topics
Guidelines for Selecting 500-level MATH Electives
For Students Considering Graduate Studies in Mathematics
Complete at least one of the two-semester sequences in algebra or analysis:
Note: Completing both two-semester sequences provides the strongest foundation for graduate study in mathematics. Students completing this combination of courses are well on their way towards completing the B.S. with Distinction in Mathematics.
For Students Considering Careers Teaching at the Secondary Level (Grades 9-12)
Complete the following sequence of courses:
Note: With two additional Education courses, students complete a minor in Education. This selection of MATH electives and of the education cognate positions students to complete, after completing a B.S. in Mathematics, a one-year graduate Master of Teaching degree from the College of Education and apply for grades 9-12 mathematics licensure in South Carolina.
For Students Considering Careers in Actuarial Science
Declare a Risk Management and Insurance Minor and complete their MATH electives from the following:
Note: Risk Management and Insurance Minor is completed by taking ACCT 225 , ECON 221 and ECON 222 , and FINA 363 , FINA 469 , FINA 471 , and FINA 475 .
To develop a strong basis for success in the initial actuarial examinations (Exam P and Exam FM), and to qualify for the Society of Actuaries’ Validation through Educational Experience (VEE) in Applied Statistics, Economics, and Corporate Finance, students should complete the following collection of 30 semester hours in the Department of Statistics and the Darla Moore School of Business. For detailed information about the VEE program, see SOA.org.
- Mathematical Statistics and Statistical Models (9 hours)
- Economics and Corporate Finance (12 hours)
- Risk Management and Insurance (0-3 hours)
- Finance and Stochastic Processes (3-6 hours) from
- Computing (3 hours) from
For Students Considering Careers in Applied Mathematics or Mathematical Careers in the Public or Private Sector
Complete MATH 520 and other courses in Differential Equations and Modeling, in Discrete Mathematics, in Financial Mathematics, and in Optimization and Computation, including 9 credit hours from two of the following categories:
- Differential Equations and Modeling
- Discrete Mathematics
- Financial Mathematics and Probability
- Optimization and Computation
- Analysis
B.S. with Distinction in Mathematics (39 hours)
A minimum GPA of 3.60 in upper division (500 and above) major courses, and 3.30 cumulative when the student applies to enter the B.S. with Distinction in Mathematics.
The student should apply to enter the B.S. with Distinction in Mathematics track and choose the members of the thesis committee as early as possible, but in all cases at least one year before completion of the degree. The committee will consist of a thesis advisor, who must be a tenure-track faculty member in Mathematics, and one or two other tenure-track or research faculty members in Mathematics or any other department, as approved by the Undergraduate Program Committee. The senior thesis consists of either significant original work or a synthesis of known material beyond the scope of ordinary undergraduate coursework. The student may use their senior thesis to simultaneously fulfill other requirements as well (e.g., Magellan Scholarship, Honors College Thesis, etc.), at the discretion of the thesis advisor.
By the end of the semester in which the student is admitted into the B.S. with Distinction in Mathematics track, a brief research plan must be agreed upon by the thesis committee and the student, and filed in the Department of Mathematics and College of Arts and Sciences. Before submitting and defending the thesis, the student must have completed three credit hours of MATH 499 (Undergraduate Research) under the supervision of the thesis advisor, and at least 12 hours of upper-level (500-599) MATH credit approved by the Undergraduate Director beyond the 24 credit hours of 500-level MATH courses required for the B.S. in Mathematics.
By the end of the student’s last semester, the student must present and defend the senior thesis before the thesis committee. The defense must be announced at least one week in advance and be open to the general public. A certificate attesting to a successful defense, signed by the committee, must be placed on file with both the Department of Mathematics and the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, prior to graduation the student must have either (a) presented the research at a meeting of a professional society, at Discovery Day at USC, or at a comparable venue; or (b) submitted the work for publication in an undergraduate or professional journal.
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