Mathematics Major Programs

A student majoring in mathematics must successfully complete 44 credits of coursework in Mathematics plus 12 credits of coursework in Computer Science and Physics, distributed as follows.

Major course requirements

Mathematics (44 credits):

Math 165 Calculus I
Math L165 Honors Calculus I Lab
Math 166 Calculus II
Math L166 Honors Calculus II Lab
Math 265 Multivariable Calculus
Math L265 Honors Multivariable Calculus Lab
Math 281 Discrete Mathematics I
Math 331 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
Math 431 Linear Algebra
Math 432 Abstract Algebra
Math 462 Real Analysis
Mathematics Electives*

* Two additional 4-credit Math courses at or above the 200 level and one additional 4-credit Math course at or above the 300 level to make a total 12 credits.

Complementary major requirements

Computer Science: (4 credits):

CMPSC 131 Computer Science I

Physics: (8 credits):

PHYS 151 University Physics I
PHYS 151 University Physics Lab I
PHYS 152 University Physics II
PHYS 152 University Physics Lab II

Grade point requirement:

The College of Arts and Sciences requires each candidate for a bachelor’s degree to complete all of the necessary courses with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 overall and also to earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in the major. To qualify for a degree in mathematics, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science further requires each student to earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in MATH courses above the level of Multivariable Calculus (MATH 265).     

Careers in Education

Initial Licensure

To qualify for Initial Licensure in Secondary Education under the current rules, a student should complete our major program in mathematics, choosing the following specified Mathematics electives.

MATH 255 Probability and Statistics
MATH 351 Geometry

Consult the Education and Human Services section of the catalog and your EHS co-advisor to determine the currently approved set of required EHS courses.

Mathematics Minor Programs

To qualify for a minor in Mathematics, a student must successfully complete (with a GPA of at least 2.0) 20 credits of course work in mathematics, distributed as follows:

Math 165 Calculus I
Math 166 Calculus II
Math 265 Multivariable Calculus
Math 331 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
Mathematics Elective*

* One additional 4-credit Mathematics course at or above the 200 level to make a total of 20 credits.

Mathshop

Some students who come to Suffolk are, for various reasons, not prepared to take their first college math course. Sometimes this is revealed by the Basic Math Exam. Students whose BME scores indicate serious deficiencies in math skills or who are extremely apprehensive about taking their first math course should consider taking Mathshop first.

Mathshop is a one semester workshop which is intended to help students develop the basic skills needed to pass the BME and to build confidence prior to taking a college math course. It is taught by carefully supervised upper division math students and has a good track record for getting students past some of the obstacles that have prevented them from dealing successfully with college math.