Mathematics and Statistics (MATH, STAT)

Kurt Cogswell, Head
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Harding Hall 101
605-688-6196
e-mail: kurt.cogswell@sdstate.edu
http://mathstat.sdstate.edu

Faculty

Mathematics: Professor Cogswell, Head; Professors Abraham, Kemp, Kindermann, C. Larson, Nielsen, Schaal, Schmidt; Professors Emeriti Ayers, Kranzler, Lacher, Monahan, Yocom; Associate Professors Chen, Flint, Galster; Associate Professors Emeriti Broschat, Clever, Nelson; Assistant Professors Biesecker, Djira, Ge, Ke, Kimn, Roe, Struck, Thompson, D. Vestal, S. Vestal; Assistant Professor Emeritus Trapp; Instructors Ahrendsen, Bahr, Brost, Hunter, B. Larson, Law, Leiferman, Werner. Statistics: Professors Kindermann, Nielsen, Wicks; Associate Professors Chen, Galster; Assistant Professors Djira, Ge, Ke, Roe, Struck; Instructors Ahrendsen, Bahr, Brost, Ellingson.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, in support of the College of Engineering and SDSU, is to provide excellent mathematical and statistical instruction, to support scholarly activity, and to make available a wide range of mathematical and statistical services to our local, regional, and global communities.

Programs

Mathematics Major (B.S.)
The Department offers the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics through both the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. This program provides a rigorous preparation for the technically oriented student, the prospective mathematics teacher at the high school or middle school level, or the student preparing for graduate or professional programs. Graduates of the program find employment in business, industry, government, and education.

Beginning with MATH 123, Calculus I, 48 mathematics credits are required out of the 128 total credits required for graduation. Majors must earn at least a “C” in MATH 123 and all succeeding mathematics courses.

To complete a degree in mathematics, the student must complete the requirements of the Department, the College, and the University. These requirements are incorporated into the curriculum plans found in the section on Major and Minor Requirements, but students should also read the College of Engineering or the College of Arts and Sciences requirements for the B.S. degree and consult with their adviser who will assist in planning a curriculum and help ensure that all graduation requirements are met.

Teacher Education in Mathematics Specialization
Students interested in teaching mathematics at the high school or
middle school level should contact the College of Education and
Counseling prior to their junior year to obtain the teacher education
requirements. The mathematics requirements for teacher certification are
given in the section on Major and Minor Requirements.

Emphasis Areas
Within the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics program, students may pursue one or more of the following Emphasis Areas: Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Biology, Pure Mathematics, or Statistics. These emphasis areas are groups of courses designed to build strength in a specific area in preparation for either a career or graduate school.

Minor
The minor in mathematics consists of 23 credits as outlined in the section on Major and Minor Requirements.

Statistics
Statistics courses are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels to provide SDSU students with the knowledge of statistics necessary in their various fields of study. An undergraduate specialization in statistics is available.

Graduate Programs
The department offers a Ph.D. in Computational Science and Statistics, a Master’s Degree in Mathematics, and a Master’s Degree in Statistics. A specialization in Statistics is available within the Master’s Degree program, as are Graduate Minors in Statistics at the MS and PhD level. Please see the Graduate Catalog for more details.