A GUIDE FOR
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
STUDENTS
A 2 + 2 Plan Leading
to a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Mathematics
Northern Illinois University
Department of Mathematical Sciences
DeKalb, Illinois 601152854
All degree requirements are subject
to the provisions and notices in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Information valid through August 1998.
Northern Illinois University is an equal
opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin,
disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnamera veteran.
The Constitution and Bylaws of Northern Illinois University afford
equal treatment regardless of political views or affiliation,
and sexual orientation.
B.S. Degree in Mathematics
The Department of Mathematical Sciences
at Northern Illinois University offers programs leading to the
Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. These programs prepare
students with diverse career goals, and develop unique strengths
and talents that are valuable in an increasingly technical world.
In a world in which mathematics is the
invisible culture, a
mathematics degree prepares students to be innovative and imaginative
in complex situations. A mathematics degree demonstrates many
obvious career skills: attention to detail, comfort with numbers
and computation, and a familiarity with standard mathematical
models. Less obvious are the skills that develop during the study
of higher mathematics. The study of mathematics develops rigorous,
logical thinking; appreciation and familiarity with complex structures
and algorithms; and the ability to learn technical, detailed,
or abstract material. This ability to learn is valuable. Most
technical material has a structured, logical basis, and the study
of mathematics enables a student to recognize and synthesize such
material.
There are about 200 mathematics majors
at NIU, and they reflect the diversity of the northern Illinois
region. Approximately 50 percent of the mathematics majors are
women, and there are many women on the faculty. Students will
find an inviting and accommodating learning environment within
the department, and we have had great success accommodating students
with differing abilities.
The department offers a well structured, yet versatile program of studies, and a student may pursue the degree in any of five emphases. The emphases all share a unique mixture of theory and application. During the first two years of the program, all students will investigate calculus and its applications, linear algebra, basic statistics, and the fundamentals of mathematical modeling. Additionally, all mathematics students will learn a scientific computing language and will become familiar with computation devices.
More specialized studies are pursued in the last two years of the program, within one of the five emphases:
1. The general mathematics emphasis offers the broadest and most theoretical program of study. It is often an appropriate choice for students who wish to pursue graduate degrees or attend professional school.
2. The applied mathematics emphasis offers a course of study that focuses on the application of mathematics to real world problems. This is an appropriate choice for students interested in problems arising from industry or engineering, and prepares them for many technical fields.
3. In the computational mathematics emphasis, students investigate the nature of computation, and the methods used to compute mathematical quantities accurately and efficiently. Such skills are increasingly valuable in a world that uses computers heavily, and career prospects in this emphasis are enhanced by a facility with computers.
4. The emphasis in probability and statistics investigates the use and theory of probabilistic and statistical methods. Students within this emphasis become familiar with several statistical computer packages that are commonly used in industry and business. This emphasis develops skills that are of value to industry, finance and insurance, and high tech fields.
5. The emphasis in mathematics education
prepares math teachers for the secondary schools. Students
in this emphasis earn both a mathematics degree and Illinois State
Certification to teach in secondary schools.
It is important to realize that a mathematics
degree offers great flexibility in the job market. Information
on employment practices and placement of graduates may be received
from the university*s
Career Planning and Placement Center, and from the Mathematical
Association of America*s
Web Page at http://www.maa.org.
Mathematics at NIU
Mathematics classes at Northern Illinois
University are taught by a diverse faculty with a wide variety
of life experiences and interests. Our professors hold doctorate
degrees in mathematics, and are fully appreciative of the dual
teaching/research role of a university. Northern Illinois University
is home to recognized mathematical researchers, and some of the
best mathematics teachers in the state. The department values
its excellent reputation for quality teaching, and it is proud
of the large number of awardwinning teachers within the
department. Quality teaching is important at Northern Illinois
University and is a common bond among an exceptionally collegial
faculty. Professors within the department are accessible and schedule
regular times to meet with students. All classes required by mathematics
majors are taught in small sections by professors. Also, there
are opportunities to pursue internships, and to interact with
faculty on research projects.
The Mathematics Education Program
The mathematics education degree from
NIU is a strong teaching credential. Northern Illinois University
has a long history of preparing top quality teachers, and the
Department of Mathematical Sciences is committed to the development
of the best mathematics teachers in the state. The program prepares
teachers to teach the full spectrum of high school mathematics,
including Advanced Placement courses. The department has professors
whose area of specialty and research is mathematics education.
These faculty complete the training of mathematics education majors
by teaching them a wide variety of methods of mathematical instruction.
Students in the mathematics education
emphasis work closely with advisers within the department. The
advising system for mathematics education majors is a particular
strength of the department, and is a feature about which our students
are universally enthusiastic.
Mathematics education majors at Northern
Illinois University studentteach in some of the most desirable
school districts, and our graduates teach in many of the schools
in suburban Chicago, the collar counties, and throughout northern
Illinois.
Transferring to NIU
The Department of Mathematical Sciences
welcomes transfer students from Illinois community colleges. These
students will find it easy to continue their studies at NIU if
they plan well. In particular, a threesemester calculus
sequence should be completed in the first two years of study.
A linear algebra course should be taken soon after the completion
of the calculus sequence. Students at community colleges that
do not have a linear algebra course that articulates as MATH 240
may wish to take a differential equations course instead.
A sample program of study is given on
the back page of this pamphlet. However, it is important that
students regularly see an adviser. Students should consult the
Articulation Handbook, available at community college counseling
offices, to determine what specific courses at their community
college fulfill NIU requirements. In particular, close attention
should be paid to the articulation status of computer science
courses (CSCI 220/230/240 at NIU) and that of linear algebra courses
(MATH 240 at NIU).
It is particularly important that students
wishing to major in mathematics education regularly see an adviser,
and that close attention is paid to the choices of general education
courses.
Suggested Semester Plans
| Fall | Spring | |||
| ENGL 103 | 3 | ENGL 104 | 3 | |
| MATH 2291 | 4 | MATH 230 | 4 | |
| Humanities Gen Ed | 3 | Soc. Science Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Soc. Science Gen Ed | 3 | Humanities Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Science Gen Ed2 | 34 | Science Gen Ed | 34 | |
| 1617 | 1617 | |||
| COMS 100 | 3 | MATH 240 | 4 | |
| MATH 232 | 3 | Minor Req. or Elec. | 34 | |
| Minor Req. or Elec.3 | 34 | Interdisciplinary Gen Ed | 3 | |
| CSCI 220/230/2404 | 4 | Science Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Soc. Science Gen Ed | 3 | Humanities Gen Ed | 3 | |
| 1617 | 1617 | |||
| MATH 360 | 3 | MATH/STAT 3004005 | 34 | |
| STAT 350 | 3 | MATH/STAT 300400 | 34 | |
| Minor Req. or 300/400 El 34 | Minor Req. or 300/400 El | 6 | ||
| Electives (any level) | 67 | Electives 300/400 level | 6 | |
| 1517 | 1518 | |||
| MATH 430 | 3 | MATH/STAT 300400 | 34 | |
| MATH/STAT 300400 | 34 | MATH/STAT 300400 | 3 | |
| Electives 300/400 | 67 | Electives 300/400 | 3 | |
| Electives (any level) | 3 | Electives (any level) | 67 | |
| 1517 | 1517 |
1Prerequisite is satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement test or MATH 155. The major grade point average is calculated using only mathematical sciences courses numbered MATH 229 or above that are available for credit toward the major.
2Majors in Mathematical Sciences may not use courses in Computer Science (CSCI) to fulfill general education distributive studies requirements.
3A departmentally approved minor is required for Emphasis 2, Applied Mathematics, and is strongly recommended for Emphasis 5, Mathematics Education. Students in Emphasis 5 must fulfill state requirements for teacher certification; all students interested in pursuing teacher certification should consult with the discipline coordinator in Mathematical Sciences for assistance in planning schedules.
4Students in all emphases must elect one of the computer programming courses; the specific course varies with the emphasis chosen.
5The
specific 300/400 level requirements vary depending on the emphasis.
See the Undergraduate Catalog and your departmental adviser
for specific requirements.
Minimum 124 total; 40 300400
level
For a current NIU Undergraduate Catalog and application materials, contact:
Office of Admissions
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois 601152857
(800) 8923050 (tollfree
in Illinois)
or (815) 7530446