| Faculty | BA Major | BS Major | BS Financial Mathematics (BS) |
| Advanced Placement | Math Education (BS) |
Minors | Approved Courses |
253.535.7400
www.plu.edu/~math
math@plu.edu
Mathematics is a many-faceted subject that is not only extremely
useful in its application, but at the same time is fascinating and
beautiful in the abstract. It is an indispensable tool for industry,
science, government, and the business world, while the elegance of its
logic and beauty of form have intrigued scholars, philosophers, and
artists since earliest times.
The mathematics program at PLU is designed to serve five main objectives: (1) to provide backgrounds for other disciplines, (2) to provide a comprehensive pre-professional program for those directly entering the fields of teaching and applied mathematics, (3) to provide a nucleus of essential courses which will develop the breadth and maturity of mathematical thought for continued study of mathematics at the graduate level, (4) to develop the mental skills necessary for the creation, analysis, and critique of mathematical topics, and (5) to provide a view of mathematics as a part of humanistic behavior.
Faculty: M. Zhu, Chair; Benkhalti, B. Dorner, C. Dorner, Heath, Meyer, Sklar, Stuart, Wu.
Majors in mathematics, computer science
and engineering, and other sciences usually take MATH 151 and MATH 152
(calculus). Math 151 is also appropriate for any student whose high
school mathematics preparation is strong. Those who have had calculus
in high school may omit MATH 151 (see Advanced Placement section) and enroll
in MATH 152 after consultation with a mathematics faculty member. Those who
have less mathematics background may begin with MATH 140 before taking MATH 151.
MATH 115 provides preparation for MATH 140.
Business majors may satisfy the requirement for the business degree
by taking MATH 128, 151, or 152. (Math 115 provides preparation for MATH 128.)
Elementary education majors may satisfy the requirement for the
education degree by taking Math 123. (Math 115 provides preparation for
MATH 123.)
For students who plan to take only one mathematics course, a choice from MATH 105, 107, 123, 128, 140, or 151 is advised, depending on interest and preparation.
A placement test and background survey are used to help insure that students begin in mathematics courses that are appropriate to their preparation and abilities. Enrollment is not permitted in any of the beginning mathematics courses (MATH 105, 107, 115, 123, 128, 140, 151) until the placement test and background survey are completed. The placement exam is available at http://banweb.plu.edu/pls/pap/hxskmplc.P_MathIntro.
The policy of the Mathematics Department regarding mathematics credit for students who have taken the AP Calculus exams (AB or BC) or the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Mathematics Exam (IBHL) is as follows:
| EXAM |
SCORE |
CREDIT |
| AB |
3* |
MATH 151* |
| AB |
4,5 |
MATH 151 |
| BC |
3 |
MATH 151 |
| BC |
4,5 |
MATH 151 and 152 |
| IBHL |
4,5 |
MATH 151 |
| IBHL |
6,7 |
MATH 151 and 152 |
*Consult with instructor if planning to take MATH 152.
If a student has taken calculus in high school and did not take an AP exam or IBHL exam, then the student may enroll in MATH 152 after consultation with a mathematics faculty member. In this case no credit is given for MATH 151.
All mathematics courses will satisfy the mathematical reasoning requirement (line two of the general university requirements). At least four semester hours are needed. All mathematics courses will satisfy the natural sciences, computer science, mathematics (NS) GUR Core I: The Distributive Core. At least four semester hours are needed. A course cannot simultaneously satisfy mathematical reasoning (MR) and science and scientific method (SM) GURs.
In fulfilling the Math Reasoning Requirement, students with documented disabilities will be given reasonable accommodations as determined by the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities and the appropriate faculty member in consultation with the student.
All mathematics courses will satisfy the logic, mathematics, computer science or statistics part of Option III of the College of Arts and Sciences requirement. A course cannot simultaneously satisfy Option III of the College of Arts and Sciences requirement and a general university requirement.
The foundation of the mathematics program for
majors includes:
- MATH 151, 152, 253: Three-semester sequence of calculus
- MATH 331 (Linear Algebra)
Students with a calculus background in high school may receive advanced placement into the appropriate course in this sequence.
Students who have taken calculus in high school but do not have credit for MATH 151 do not need to take MATH 151 for the mathematics major or minor. However, they still need to complete the number of hours in mathematics stated in the requirements.
Upper-division work includes courses in introduction to proof,
linear algebra, abstract algebra, analysis, geometry, differential
equations, statistics and numerical analysis. See the description of
the courses and the major (either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of
Science) for more detail. Students majoring in mathematics should
discuss scheduling of these courses with their advisors. For example,
MATH 499 extends over two semesters beginning with MATH 499A in the fall semester. May
graduates begin this capstone course in the fall semester of the senior
year, while December graduates must begin this course in the fall
semester of their junior year. MATH 499A is only offered in fall semester and must be taken before MATH 499B which is only offered in the spring.
Required: MATH 151, 152, 253, 317, 331, 341, 433, 455, 499A, 499B
Required Supporting: CSCE 144
Also strongly recommended is one of the following:
CSCE 371; ECON 345; PHYS 153, 163
Required: MATH 151, 152, 253, 317, 331, 341, 433, 455, 499A, 499B
Eight semester hours from: MATH 321, 342, 348, 351, 356, 381, 480
Required supporting: CSCE 144 and one of the following:
CSCE 348, 371; ECON 345; PHYS 153, 163
Required semester hours
- Business: nine semester hours
- Economics: four to eight semester hours (Not including ECON 101 and 102)
- Mathematics: 28 to 32 semester hours (Not including capstone hours)
- Capstone: two to four semester hours (Directed Research or Internship)
Prerequisites
- Business: BUSA 302 or permission of instructor for business courses
- Economics: ECON 101; ECON 102 or permission of instructor of ECON 345
- Mathematics: MATH 140 or placement into MATH 151 or higher
- Co-Requisite strongly recommended: PHIL 225 - Business Ethics (satisfies Philosophy GUR)
Required courses for Major
Within the following groups of alternative courses, the following are highly recommended for this major: ECON 344 and MATH 342
Following Courses Required:
- BUSA 335: Financial Investments (3)
- BUSA 437: Financial Analysis and Strategy (3)
- ECON 345: Math Topics in Economics (4)
- MATH 151: Calculus I (4)
- MATH 152: Calculus II (4)
- MATH 253: Multivariate Calculus (4)
- MATH 331: Linear Algebra (4)
- MATH 341: Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (4) (STAT 231 may be substituted with math department permission)
- MATH 411: Mathematics of Risk (4)
Two of following courses required: (may only count either ECON 344 or MATH 348)
- ECON 344: Econometrics (4)
- MATH 342: Probability & Statistical Theory (4)
- MATH 348: Applied Regression Analysis and ANOVA
- MATH 351: Differential Equations (4)
- MATH 356: Numerical Analysis (4)
One of the following courses required:
- BUSA 337: International Finance (3)
- BUSA 438: Financial Research and Analysis (3)
Capstone Experience required: (Either MATH 495A or both MATH 499A and 499B)
- MATH 495A: Financial Mathematics Internship (2-4)
- MATH 499A: Capstone - Senior Seminar I (1)
- MATH 499B: Capstone - Senior Seminar II (1)
Required Courses
- MATH 151, 152, 203, 253, 317, 321, 331, 341, 433, 499A, 499B and MATH/EDUC 446
- One of: MATH 351, PHYS 153/163, or CSCE 144
- Strongly Recommended: MATH 455
Note: The BS Degree with a major in Mathematics Education together with either a BAE degree in secondary education or a Master's Degree in Education provides a path to teacher certification in secondary mathematics in Washington State. Passing the West-E exam in mathematics is also required for teacher certification in secondary mathematics. Completion of the required math courses listed for the degree gives adequate preparation for the West-E exam.
Also strongly recommended: MATH 253
At least 12 hours must be from mathematics and at least four from economics.
- MATH 151, 152, and either 253 or 245
- and eight hours of upper-division mathematics courses, excluding MATH 446.
- CSCE 120 or 144; STAT 341
- And at least eight hours from among the other statistic courses (MATH 342 and 348 are strongly recommended).
See the Statistics section of this catalog for more detail. Statistics courses taken for the statistics minor may not be simultaneously counted as elective credit for the Bachelor of Science major.