Mathematics/Statistics

Courses & Curriculum

Qualifications

You must maintain a 2.0 GPA in your major and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in Mathematics and Statistics.  You must have a minimum grade of C- in all courses in the major, and you must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate.

Advisement

You should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if you do not already have one.  You should work closely with your advisor in discussing career expectations, designing your entire academic program, choosing major electives and planning your co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

Curricular Requirements for the Major

Core: You must complete the core curriculum requirements as part of your overall Canisius education. View the Core Curriculum requirements,

Free Electives

Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. You may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.

Major course requirements

Major Electives

Option A: PHY 223-224 General Physics (4-4) or two economics courses
Option B: PHY 223-224 General Physics (4-4) or two economics courses, four courses in another area approved by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Option C: PHY 223-224 General Physics (4-4) or two economics courses

Additional Course Considerations

Option A is designed to prepare the student for positions in which mathematical competence is sought, as well as for advanced study in graduate school.

Option B allows the student to develop expertise in another area besides mathematics. Many students combine this option with a major or minor in another department. Students interested in education can get a dual major to give them a strong background in mathematics while fulfilling the requirements of the School of Education.

Option C prepares the student for advanced work or graduate study and the many careers which utilize statistical thinking. This option, together with appropriate courses in business, constitutes a good preparation for a career in actuarial science.

Recommended Semester Schedule for Major Courses

Dual Majors

Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a dual major. The decision may be based on career goals or planned graduate studies. Popular double majors with mathematics are economics, computer science, education, and physics, but we have also had students double major in math and music, English, political science, philosophy, Spanish, psychology, pre-medicine, and other fields. Before a student declares a dual major it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement. Many dual major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional course work may be required. In order to declare a dual major, the student must complete the appropriate dual major request form and get the signature of each department chairperson and the appropriate associate dean.

Mathematics Minor:  (7 courses)

Courses: 2011 - 2013

MAT 002 Pre-College Mathematics II   0 credits
Intermediate Algebra II: Simplifying and solving rational equations, conic sections, relations and functions, exponential and logarithmic functions. Word problems.  Fall

MAT 105 Finite Mathematics   3 credits
Introduction to finite (non-calculus) mathematics and its applications: linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions and equations; systems of linear equations and linear programming; compound interest problems and annuities. (Field 7)  Fall & Spring  

MAT 106 Calculus for the Non-Sciences I   3 credits
Fundamentals of calculus for students in business, or social or behavioral sciences. Credit not allowed if student already has credit for MAT 111 or 115. (Field 7) Fall & Spring 

MAT 107 Calculus for the Non-Sciences II         3 credits
Continuation of MAT 106. Integral calculus and calculus of several variables with applications. (Field 7).  On demand

MAT 109-110 Calculus with Review I and II        4-4 credits
For science and mathematics majors. Calculus, with topics from pre-calculus. Logarithms, exponentials, trigonometric functions, limits, differentiation, related rates, max-min problems, anti-differentiation, definite integral. No credit allowed if student has credit for MAT 111, 115 or 117. (Field 7) MAT 109 Fall; MAT 110 Spring

MAT 111 Calculus I   4 credits
For science and mathematics majors. Functions of single variable. Functions, limits, differentiation, continuity, graphing, logarithm, exponential and inverse trigonometric functions, related rates, max-min problems, mean value theorem, l’Hospital’s rule, anti-differentiation, definite integral. (Field 7)  Fall & Spring

MAT 112 Calculus II   4 credits
Applications of integration. Integration techniques, improper integrals, sequences, series, convergence tests, Taylor’s theorem, applications; parametric and polar curves. (Field 7) Prerequisite: MAT 111 or 115 with minimum grade C-. Fall & Spring

MAT 115 Calculus for Business   4 credits
First of two semesters of mathematics for business students.  Differentiation/integration of functions of one variable. Applications: concepts, examples and problems in economics and business. (Field 7)  Prerequisite: 3 1/2 years of high school mathematics.  Fall

MAT 121 Mathematics through History   3 credits
Liberal arts mathematics course.  Tracing the development of mathematical ideas globally and through history, with emphasis on problem solving techniques, quantitative thinking, and deductive reasoning. (Field 7) (Global Awareness Attribute) Prerequisite: 3 years of high school math or equivalent; sophomore standing or higher. Spring 2013

MAT 131 Statistics and Computers   3 credits
A first course for majors in social or health sciences. Descriptive statistics, calculators, computer programs and introduction to inferential statistics. (Field 7)  Prerequisite: High school intermediate algebra.  Fall & Spring

MAT 141 Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science    4 credits
Elementary probability theory, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, estimation, correlation and regression. The computer will be used with one of the standard statistical packages. (Field 7)  Prerequisite: 3-1/2 years of high school mathematics.  Spring

MAT 150  Mathematics and Politics   3 credits
Liberal arts course emphasizing applications of math in the social sciences. Covers topics such as voting theory, decisions made by groups, measurement of political power. (Field 7 - Justice Attribute)  Prerequisite: 3 years of high school mathematics or equivalent. Spring

MAT 181 Symmetry   3 credits
Liberal arts course exploring the mathematical world of geometry and symmetry. Measurement, billiards, polygons and polyhedra, tilings and wallpaper patterns, spirals and natural growth. (Field 7)  Prerequisite: 3 years of high school mathematics or equivalent. Fall

MAT 191 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics        4 credits
Fundamental topics with computer science applications. Sets and logic, propositional and predicate calculus, elements of combinatorics and counting, elementary discrete probability, functions and relations, graphs.  Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or instructor's permission.  Spring

MAT 211 Calculus III   4 credits
Continuation of MAT 111-112. Analytic geometry of 3-space and calculus of functions of several variables. Prerequisite: MAT 112 with minimum grade of C -.  Fall & Spring

MAT 219 Linear Algebra             4 credits
Vector spaces and inner product spaces. Linear transformations and matrices. Eigenvectors, eigenvalues, and applications. Orthogonal transformations. Quadratic forms and quadric surfaces.  Prerequisite: MAT 112 or consent of the instructor.  Fall & Spring

MAT 222 Differential Equations          4 credits
Introduction to the theory and applications of ordinary differential equations.  Prerequisite: MAT 211 with minimum grade of C -.  Spring

MAT 230 Logic, Set Theory and Proofs         4 credits
Transition from calculus to upper division courses: logic and methods of proof; set theory; relations, orders and functions; number systems; cardinality.  Prerequisite: MAT 112 with minimum grade of C - or consent of the instructor.  Fall & Spring

MAT 301 History of Mathematics   3 credits
Development and interrelations of major areas of mathematics, from ancient to modern times. Emphasis on both historical context and mathematical content. Mathematics as cultural heritage. Prerequisite: MAT 111-112.   Fall 2012

MAT 311 Abstract Algebra I   4 credits
Introduction to the basic structures of abstract algebra; groups, rings, fields. Prerequisites: MAT 230 and MAT 219 with minimum grades of C -.  Fall

MAT 312 Abstract Algebra II   3 credits
Continuation of MAT 311. Selected topics from rings, Integral domains, field extensions and Galois theory. Prerequisite: MAT 311.   Spring 2013

MAT 313 Number Theory   3 credits
Divisibility, prime numbers, numerical functions, congruencies, quadratic reciprocity, Diophantine equations.  Prerequisite: MAT 311 or permission of instructor.  Spring 2014

MAT 321 Real Analysis I   4 credits
Advanced study of differentiation and integration of functions.  Prerequisites: MAT 211, 230, 219 with minimum grades of C -; or MAT 211, 230 and consent of instructor.  Fall

MAT 322 Real Analysis II   3 credits
Continuation of MAT 321. Selected topics from functions of one or several variables.  Prerequisite: MAT 321 with minimum grade of C -.  Spring 2014

MAT 331 Introduction to Modern Geometry        3 credits
Axioms for geometry and their consequences: independence of the parallel postulate. Rudiments of hyperbolic geometry. Geometric transformations.  Prerequisite: MAT 230.   Fall

MAT 341 Numerical Analysis   3 credits
The methods used to obtain numerical solutions of functional, integral and differential equations.  Prerequisites: An elementary knowledge of computer programming and MAT 219.  On demand

MAT 342 (CSC 342) Introduction to Graph Theory       3 credits
This course covers basic constructions on graphs. Complete graphs, bipartite graphs, trees, cycles, and more general graphs are studied along with their combinatorial properties. Euler circuits, Hamilton circuits, spanning trees. Applications of graphs to optimization problems such as the Traveling Salesperson Problem and Construction of the Minimal Spanning Trees. Prerequisite: one semester of Calculus.  On demand

MAT 351-352 Probability and Statistics     3-3 credits
Introduction to the mathematical aspects of modern probability theory and the theory of statistics.  Prerequisite: MAT 211, MAT 351 Spring; MAT 352 Fall

MAT 353 Regression Analysis        3 credits
Linear regression and correlation. Covariance, residual sum of squares, residual variance, correlation coefficient, tests of significance for correlation coefficient and for regression coefficients. Non-linear regression. Prerequisites: MAT 351-352 or consent of instructor.  Fall 2013

MAT 354 Experimental Design and Statistical Computing   3 credits

Analyzing data; one-way/two-way blocking; chi-square, goodness of fit. Statistical computing package; Monte-Carlo simulation-subset selection, central limit theorem; residual plots.  Prerequisites: MAT 351-352 or permission of instructor. Spring 2013

MAT 365 Logistic Regression   3 credits
Statistical analysis of dichotomous data. Univariate and multivariate cases are covered. Applied problems solved on the computer. Prerequisite: MAT 352 or ECO 256. On demand

MAT 370 Topics in Statistics   3 credits
Prerequisite: MAT 352 or permission of instructor.  On demand

MAT 380-381-480 Mathematics Seminar       1 credit each
Mathematics seminar for majors to be taken for three semesters. (Oral Communication Attribute) Prerequisite: Junior standing

MAT 411 Topology   3 credits
An introduction to topology, stressing concrete examples including surfaces. Point-set, geometric and algebraic topology with interconnections and applications. Prerequisite: MAT 230 or permission of instructor. Fall 2013

MAT 416 Differential Geometry           3 credits
Curves in the plane and 3 space: Frenet formulas, isoperimetric inequalities. Basic elements of surface theory. Curvature and mean curvature. Gauss’s Theorema Egregium. Rigidity questions.  Prerequisite: MAT 321.  On demand

MAT 421 Complex Analysis          3 credits
Complex numbers, analytic functions and mappings. Cauchy-Riemann equations, harmonic functions, Cauchy’s theorem, integral formula and inequalities. Power series, residues, singularities and zeros, Rouch’s Theorem. Prerequisite: MAT 321 or permission of the instructor.  Spring 2013

MAT 498 Internship in Mathematics           1-3 credits
Internship involving non-routine tasks linking academic concepts to practical experience. May be used for free elective credit only. Prerequisite: Consent of chair.  On demand

MAT 499 Independent Study      3 credits
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and chair.  On demand