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Department of Mathematics and Statistics

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Undergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramCourse DescriptionsFaculty

 

About the Program

This department supervises the following degree programs:

        • Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
        • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
        • Master of Arts in Mathematics
        • Master of Science in Mathematics
        • Master of Science in Statistics
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics

In addition, the department supervises programs leading to minors in mathematics and to teacher certification in mathematics at the elementary and secondary levels.Back to Top


Undergraduate Program

Flexibility of elective courses in mathematics is designed to allow the student to prepare to enter the industrial job market, graduate school or professional school, or a teaching career. Recent Texas Tech mathematics graduates have been employed by companies in aerospace (NASA, defense), electronics (computers, telecommunications), engineering, finance (banks, brokerage, insurance), government (federal agencies, offices, laboratories), petroleum (geophysical, oil), security, entertainment, and education. Some graduates have entered law school or medical school, while many have pursued graduate degrees at various universities.

The curricula leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees follow the general patterns described in the Arts and Sciences section of this catalog. Immediately upon declaring a major in mathematics, students should consult with the department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies for the design and approval of their individual mathematics degree programs. A typical program includes proficiency in calculus at the level of MATH 2350, plus MATH 2360, 3310, 3354, 3360, 4350 and at least one of MATH 4343, 4351, 4354, and 4360 for the B.A. degree and at least two of MATH 4343, 4351, 4354, and 4360 for the B.S. degree. In addition, candidates for the B.A. degree must take at least 3 additional hours of approved electives in mathematics at the 3000 level and above, while candidates for the B.S. degree must take at least 9 additional hours of approved electives in mathematics at the 3000 level and above.

For a major in mathematics, a minimum of 30 to 39 hours of mathematics is required, depending on where the student can start in calculus and which degree the student seeks. Also, a student must have a grade of C or better in each mathematics course counted toward the degree.

Candidates for the B.S. degree must choose their minor from the following: atmospheric science, biology, botany, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, exercise and sport sciences, geosciences, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, microbiology, petroleum engineering, physics, or zoology. A minor must include 18 semester hours in the minor department, 6 of which must be advanced. Courses counted for the minor must be approved by the minor department.
In addition to the minor, candidates for the B.S. degree must complete 8 hours of laboratory science (biology, botany, chemistry, geosciences, microbiology, physical geography, physics, or zoology) outside their minor area.

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program in Mathematics. Undergraduate mathematics majors may apply for admission to the master’s degree program during their junior year so they can begin taking graduate courses during their senior year. This program can result in a B.A./M.A., B.A./M.S., or B.S./M.S. depending on the needs of the student. The combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics differs only in the final two years; the first three years are the same as the standard B.S. in mathematics program. See either the graduate or undergraduate advisor for details.

Dual Degree. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics also participates with the Department of Computer Science to offer a dual-degree program in mathematics and computer science. This is a five-year program that culminates in a B.S. degree with a major in mathematics and a minor in computer science from the College of Arts and Sciences as well as a B.S. degree in computer science from the College of Engineering. Students should consult with an academic advisor in each college and may declare either as their primary college. See the Department of Computer Science catalog section for curriculum information.

A minor in mathematics requires 18 semester hours, at least 6 of which must be at the 3000 level or above and must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The minor sequence is MATH 1351, 1352, 2350, and 2360 plus 6 semester hours of approved courses at the 3000 level or above. Students cannot receive minor credit for both MATH 3350 and 3354. Students must receive a grade of at least C in all courses counted toward a minor in mathematics.

For the minor and major in mathematics, at least one half of the upper-level mathematics courses must be taken in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Texas Tech University. This residency requirement will be waived by the department only in very exceptional circumstances.

Teacher Education. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics cooperates with the College of Education in offering plans for teacher certification in mathematics at both the middle and secondary school levels. The student preparing to teach in the secondary school may select mathematics as a teaching field and complete the program for teacher certification in mathematics. The student should consult the Department of Mathematics and Statistics concerning teacher certification. A student must have a grade of C or better in each mathematics course counted toward middle or secondary education certification.

The courses offered in mathematics for students intending to prepare themselves for elementary teaching are MATH 1320, 2370, 2371, 3370, 3371, 4370, and 4371.

The minimum requirements for the teaching field in mathematics (option II) at the secondary level are:

        • MATH 1351, 1352, 2350, 2360, and 4331
        • One of MATH 2300, 3342, or 4342
        • One of MATH 3354 or 3360
        • One of MATH 3430 or 4371

Mathematics Placement. Placement for students into entry-level mathematics courses (0301-2345) is based on either appropriate previous prerequisite collegiate mathematics credit or the results of the departmentally administered Mathematics Placement Examination (MPE). The MPE will be given on the first day of each summer orientation for students enrolling in the fall and during the open registration periods prior to each semester and term. Students without appropriate prerequisite collegiate mathematics credit will be placed into entry-level courses based on the results of the MPE. Students may retake the MPE if necessary. Students who have scored at least 610 on the SATM or at least 26 on the ACTM may enroll in any entry-level mathematics course independent of whether they have the appropriate previous prerequisite collegiate mathematics credit or the appropriate MPE score. However, they are encouraged to take the MPE during an orientation session to provide them with a current assessment of their mathematics skills for advisement purposes.

Students having 6 hours or less of basic mathematics requirements in their degree program may wish to satisfy the requirements by choosing from among the following courses: MATH 1300, 1320, 1321, 1330, 1331, 1350, 1351, 1352, 1420, 2300.

The following list describes the mathematics courses most frequently taken by freshmen:

        • MATH 0301 and 0302 are remedial courses and do not carry any degree credit. Students earning a grade of A or B in MATH 0302 will be eligible to enroll in MATH 1300, 1320, 1330, or 1550.
        • MATH 1300 Contemporary Mathematics
        • MATH 1320 College Algebra
        • MATH 1330 Introductory Mathematical Analysis
        • MATH 1321 Trigonometry
        • MATH 1350 Analytical Geometry
        • MATH 1351 Calculus I
        • MATH 1420 College Algebra with Review
        • MATH 1430 Introductory Mathematical Analysis with Review
        • MATH 1550 Precalculus
        • Only one course from among MATH 1300, 1320, and 1420 can be counted towards the mathematics and logical reasoning Core Curriculum requirement.

NOTE: Satisfactory score on the placement exam is required for entrance to all above courses. TSI students who have not passed the mathematics section of the TSI test may not enroll in MATH 1320 or 1321 until they have successfully completed their prescribed program of TSI mathematics skills development. See course listings for descriptions and prerequisites for the courses listed above.Back to Top

 

Graduate Program

Students seeking an advanced degree in mathematics or statistics should consult with the Graduate Director of the department before enrolling in any courses. The department offers a number of graduate courses that are suitable for students who wish to complete a minor in mathematics or statistics.

The department does not have a foreign language requirement for the master’s degree. Any foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree will be at the discretion of the student’s dissertation advisor.

Master’s Programs

M.A. Degree in Mathematics. This program consists of 36 hours of graduate work, including 3 hours of credit for a departmental report. The student must complete three sequences chosen from algebra, analysis, geometry, probability and statistics, modeling and applications, and computer literacy. This degree is offered primarily for those students who wish to teach mathematics at the secondary level or at a junior/community college.

M.S. Degree in Mathematics. The M.S. program consists of 36 hours of graduate work, including 3 hours of credit for a departmental report, or 30 hours of graduate work including 6 hours of credit for the master’s thesis. The student must complete at least two of the core sequences listed on the Ph.D. program for the 36-hour plan and at least one of the core sequences for the 30-hour plan. In the 36-hour plan a minor of 9 hours is permitted and in the 30-hour plan a minor of 6 hours is permitted. In each case the minor must be approved by the graduate advisor.

M.S. Degree in Mathematics with an Emphasis in Computer Science. The degree consists of 36 hours with 3 hours of credit for a departmental report. This plan calls for 18 to 21 hours of graduate coursework in mathematics and 12 to 15 hours of graduate coursework in computer science. Of the 18 to 21 hours of mathematics coursework, at least two sequences from the list in the departmental handbook must be completed. The 12 to 15 hours of computer science coursework constitute adjunct requirements and must be approved by the graduate advisor.

M.S. Degree in Statistics. An M.S. degree in statistics consists of 36 hours of graduate work including 3 hours of credit for a departmental report or 6 hours of credit for the master’s thesis. Up to 3 hours of graduate work are permitted in other areas such as agriculture, biology, business, economics, engineering, psychology, sociology, or fields as approved by the graduate advisor.

Doctoral Program

Each doctoral student will undergo a preliminary examination as early as possible during graduate training. The examinations will be administered annually in May and the results evaluated by the Graduate Programs and Policies Committee of the department. Details concerning the preliminary examinations can be found in the departmental handbook. Each doctoral student must also pass a qualifying examination in a specialty area and have a degree plan that has been approved by the graduate advisor.Back to Top

 

Course Descriptions

 

Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Lawrence E. Schovanec, Ph.D., Chairperson

Horn Professors: C. Martin, Ruymgaart
Dick and Martha Brooks Regents Professor: Ghosh
Professors: E. Allen, L. Allen, Barnard, Bennett, D. Gilliam, Harris, Ibragimov, Lewis, Mansouri, Pearce, Schovanec, Smith, Strauss, Victory, Wang
Associate Professors: Byerly, Drager, Gelca, Hadjicostas, Iyer, Juan, Kirby, Ledet, Lee, Neusel, Paige, Seaquist, Seshaiyer, Solynin, Surles, Toda, Trindade, Weinberg, Williams
Assistant Professors: Aulisa, Christensen, Dwyer, Howle, Monico, Roeger, Seo
Instructors: X. Gilliam, TempleBack to Top

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