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Course Descriptions

   Actuarial Science
   Mathematics

Mathematical Sciences (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science)
Department of Mathematics and Actuarial Science

Bachelor's degrees offer named majors in

A Master's degree in Mathematics is available, with opportunities for concentrations in actuarial science, and mathematics and computer science.

Who Should Enroll

We welcome new college students, community college transfer students and students returning to college after a break in their education. We also welcome post-baccalaureate students who desire upgraded technical skills and credentials to enhance employment opportunities. Students planning to transfer from a community college should see a counselor familiar with Roosevelt articulation arrangements early in their academic careers. Transfer students will benefit from strong preparation in mathematics (two semesters of calculus should be included in their first sixty semester hours) and computer science.

Where and When Are Classes Offered?

These programs are available at both the Downtown and Schaumburg campuses. Upper level undergraduate and graduate courses are offered in the evening for the convenience of working students. Other courses are available day or evening, depending on student demand.

Career Opportunities

As described in the Occupational Handbook of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mathematics is one of the oldest and most basic sciences. Mathematicians create new mathematical theories and techniques involving the latest technology and solve economic, scientific, engineering, and business problems using mathematical knowledge and computational tools.

Mathematical work falls into two broad classes: theoretical (pure) mathematics and applied mathematics. However, these classes are not sharply defined and often overlap.

Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical science by developing new principles and new relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although they seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, this pure and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing or furthering many scientific and engineering achievements.

Applied mathematicians use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, and the physical, life, and social sciences. For example, they may analyze the mathematical aspects of computer and communications networks, the effects of new drugs on disease, the aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft, or the distribution costs or manufacturing processes of businesses. Applied mathematicians working in industrial research and development may develop or enhance mathematical methods when confronted with difficult problems. Some mathematicians, called cryptanalysts, analyze and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit national security-related information.

Mathematicians use computers extensively to analyze relationships among variables, solve complex problems, develop models, and process large amounts of data.

Information is also available on related occupations.

Both the B.S. and the B.A. are available in mathematics. At the graduate level a Master's degree in Mathematics is available.

Requirements for the major for the B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics:

A core consisting of

and four courses selected from areas of

  • operations research, modeling
  • numerical methods
  • probability and statistics
  • geometry, abstract algebra, number theory
  • actuarial science
  • analysis

Requirements for the major for the B.A. or B.S. in Mathematics with a Concentration in Statistics:

For the Bachelor of Science degree, a minor sequence of fifteen semester hours is required in one of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, or Psychology. All mathematics majors should take courses in other disciplines which use mathematics. In particular, for those considering careers in applied mathematics, training in the field in which the mathematics will be used is very important.

Mathematicians should have substantial familiarity with mathematical computer packages and computer programming because most complex mathematical computation and much mathematical modeling is done by computer.

Special recommendations are available for those interested in Teaching Mathematics in secondary schools or grade schools.

More information

More information is available about professional organizations in mathematics on a separate page. The Mathematical Association of America offers student memberships and various publications which include mathematics for undergraduates. The Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics has a smaller program for undergraduates.

Request Further Information

College of Arts and Sciences | Department of Mathematics and Actuarial Science

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