Texas Tech University

Mathematics Online – Distance Education

Bachelor of General Studies with an Area of Concentration in Mathematics

The Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) offered by Texas Tech University through the University College is a unique program for students who wish to study multiple fields in equivalent depth. Instead of a major and a minor, the student selects three concentration areas in consultation with the B.G.S. advisor. The three concentration areas jointly formulate a coherent specialization that is unavailable elsewhere in the university as an organized program of study. Through these self-selected areas, which form an integrated specialization, the B.G.S. degree can prepare a student to pursue graduate or professional study, an intellectual interest, or a career goal.

Requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies: Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or better to be admitted to the B.G.S. degree program. Continued enrollment requires a minimum 2.0 GPA. The student's official catalog will be current when the student officially enters the program. All coursework in the general degree requirements, the three concentration areas, and electives must total a minimum of 120 semester hours. Each concentration area must include a minimum of 9 hours of coursework at the junior-senior level. In two areas of concentration, a majority of the semester hours must be from disciplines related to departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Course Syllabus: University policy requires that during the first week of class each instructor provide a syllabus, explaining how final course grades are to be determined and listing student outcomes and assessment procedures. The same regulation applies to distance education courses. Sample syllabi with expected learning assessment and student learning outcomes are provided below for several courses.

At present the Department of Mathematics offers Distance Education Courses for the following classes:
Availability of courses/sections and course registration will be handled through Banner. Students who would otherwise be able to attend face-to-face classes will not be able to enroll in on-line classes.

  • Math 1320, College Algebra
  • Math 1321, Trigonometry
  • Math 1330, Introductory Mathematical Analysis I
  • Math 1331, Introductory Mathematical Analysis II
  • Math 1451, Calculus I
  • Math 1452, Calculus II
  • Math 2300, Statistical Methods
  • Math 2450, Calculus III
  • Math 2360, Linear Algebra
  • Math 3342, Mathematical Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
  • Math 3350, Higher Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I
  • Math 3351, Higher Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists II
  • Math 3370, Elementary Geometry
  • Math 3371, Elements of Finite Mathematics
  • Math 4000, Selected Topics

Requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration area in Mathematics:

The student is required to complete Math 1451, Math 1452, and Math 2450 (or their transfer equivalents, according to Texas Tech University regulations).

Further, nine credit hours (3 courses) in Mathematics must be completed at a level of Math 3000 or higher. A detailed description in sample syllabi for Math 1451, and Math 1452 can be viewed at the links above. Description of courses for the 9-hour electives at the level of Math 3000 or above are also available at the links above.

The Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Mathematics Advisor are expected to work with the student to create a customized degree plan and identify which three courses at the junior-senior level best fit the student's background and other areas of concentration.

For the 9 hours of credit at the junior-senior level, students will be paired with instructors who will guide their home studies via e-mail, WeBWorK, and other Web-based Learning Resources. For Math 3350 and Math 3351, WeBWorK will be the primary resource for problem-solving, homework, and testing.

Web-based Component:

Each designated course comes with its own custom web-based learning tools. One of the most important tools used in this program by the Mathematics and Statistics Department at Texas Tech University is WeBWorK. Some instructors may choose to use one of the many alternative online delivery software such as WebAssign. If this is the case, the instructor will provide information on how to use and access the software. For general information about the WeBWorK program, please refer to http://webwork.maa.org/wiki/Introduction

The departmental servers enable access to a wide selection of problems and tests available in the specific course-designated libraries, as well as national libraries. Such databases currently exists for numerous courses, including Math 1320, Math 1321, Math 1451, Math 1452, Math 2450, Math 2360, Math 3350, and Math 3351.

Other possible areas of concentration include:

  • For students with an area of concentration in Engineering:
    Math 3350, Math 3351, Math 3342. In specific cases, Math 2360 (Linear Algebra) and another junior-senior level course in Mathematics or Statistics may replace the requirement for Math 3351.
  • For students with an area of concentration in Life Sciences:
    Math 3350, Math 3351, Math 4000.
  • For students with an area of concentration in Business Statistics, Actuarial Science or related fields:
    3342 or 4342, 4343, and 4000.
  • For students with an area of concentration in Education/Teacher Education:
    Math 3310 or Math 4000, Math 3372, Math 4331.

Department of Mathematics & Statistics