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Mathematics BS

Major: Mathematics
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 181.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 27.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 15-2021

About the Program

The mathematics major at Drexel provides a supportive learning environment in which students obtain a firm grounding in the core areas of mathematics and apply this knowledge to problems encountered in a technological society. The Department of Mathematics offers students the option of either a BA or a BS degree.

The Mathematics Department takes pride in offering a balanced and flexible curriculum. Three very different kinds of skills are emphasized in the mathematics major:

Abstract Reasoning

All students majoring in mathematics take courses that emphasize abstract reasoning. Students read and write proofs, and graduate well prepared to enter a PhD program in mathematics.

Computing

All students majoring in mathematics take a series of computing courses. This emphasis on computing is one of the distinctive features of the mathematics program at Drexel, and provides students with a competitive advantage in the job market.

Mathematical Modeling

All students majoring in mathematics take multidisciplinary courses that focus on the interplay between mathematics and an area of application. Students often use electives to focus on an area of personal interest. The Department of Mathematics encourages students to minor in a subject where mathematics is applied. The Department provides an advisor to assist students in selecting electives and planning career paths.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please visit the Mathematics web page.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements
CIVC 101	Introduction to Civic Engagement	1.0
COOP 101	Career Management and Professional Development ^*	1.0
COM 230	Techniques of Speaking	3.0
ENGL 101	Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research	3.0
or ENGL 111	English Composition I
ENGL 102	Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing	3.0
or ENGL 112	English Composition II
ENGL 103	Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres	3.0
or ENGL 113	English Composition III
UNIV S101	The Drexel Experience	1.0
UNIV S201	Looking Forward: Academics and Careers	1.0
College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum
Engaging the Natural World ^**		6.0-8.0
Analyzing Cultures & Histories ^**		6.0-8.0
Understanding Society & Human Behavior ^**		6.0-8.0
Cultivating Global Competence ^**		6.0-8.0
Perspectives in Diversity ^**		3.0-4.0
Computer Science sequence:		9.0
CS 150	Computer Science Principles
or CS 164	Introduction to Computer Science
CS 171	Computer Programming I
CS 172	Computer Programming II
Any BIO, CHEM, PHYS, or PHEV course		3.0-4.0
Free electives		45.0
Mathematics Requirements
MATH 121	Calculus I ^***	4.0
MATH 122	Calculus II	4.0
MATH 123	Calculus III	4.0
MATH 200	Multivariate Calculus	4.0
MATH 201	Linear Algebra	4.0
MATH 210	Differential Equations	4.0
MATH 220 [WI]	Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning	3.0
MATH 331	Abstract Algebra I	4.0
MATH 332	Abstract Algebra II	3.0
MATH 401	Elements of Modern Analysis I	3.0
MATH 402	Elements of Modern Analysis II	3.0
Math Major Electives ^†		40.0
Select a minimum of 40.0 credits from the following:
MATH 222 [WI]	Combinatorics
MATH 235	Math Competition Problem Solving Seminar
MATH 250	Mathematics of Investment and Credit
MATH 285	Differential Equations II
MATH 300	Numerical Analysis I
MATH 301	Numerical Analysis II
MATH 305	Introduction to Optimization Theory
MATH 311	Probability and Statistics I
MATH 312	Probability and Statistics II
MATH 313	Probability and Statistics III
MATH 316	Mathematical Applications of Symbolic Software
MATH 318 [WI]	Mathematical Applications of Statistical Software
MATH 319	Techniques of Data Analysis
MATH 320	Actuarial Mathematics
MATH 321	Vector Calculus
MATH 322	Complex Variables
MATH 323	Partial Differential Equations
MATH 387	Linear Algebra II
MATH 422	Introduction to Topology
MATH 449	Mathematical Finance
MATH 450	Introduction to Graph Theory
MATH 475	Cryptography
MATH 483	Introduction to Monte Carlo Methods
MATH 489	Tensor Calculus
Total Credits		180.0-190.0

*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of Free Elective instead of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

***

Math majors must pass MATH 121 with a grade of B or higher.

†

MATH special topics courses may be substituted for Math Major Electives with departmental permission.

MATH 100, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 110, MATH 119, MATH 180, MATH 171, MATH 172, MATH 173, and MATH 239 do not count towards the degree unless approved by the department.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program . Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, no coop

First Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
CS 150 or 164	3.0	CIVC 101	1.0	CS 172	3.0	VACATION
ENGL 101 or 111	3.0	CS 171	3.0	ENGL 103 or 113	3.0
MATH 121	4.0	ENGL 102 or 112	3.0	MATH 123	4.0
UNIV S101	1.0	MATH 122	4.0	MATH 200	4.0
Engaging the Natural World^*	3.0-4.0	Engaging the Natural World^*	3.0-4.0	Any BIO, CHEM, PHYS, or PHEV course	3.0-4.0
	14-15		14-15		17-18		0
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
COM 230	3.0	MATH 210	4.0	MATH 331	4.0	VACATION
MATH 201	4.0	Analyzing Cultures & Histories^*	3.0-4.0	Cultivating Global Competence^*	3.0-4.0
MATH 220	3.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^**	3.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	4.0
Analyzing Cultures & Histories^*	3.0-4.0	Perspectives in Diversity^*	3.0-4.0	Understanding Society & Human Behavior^*	3.0-4.0
Free electives	3.0
	16-17		13-15		14-16		0
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
MATH 332	3.0	MATH 401	3.0	MATH 402	3.0	VACATION
Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	4.0	Cultivating Global Competence^*	3.0-4.0	UNIV S201	1.0
Understanding Society & Human Behavior^*	3.0-4.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	3.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	7.0
Free electives	6.0	Free electives	6.0	Free electives	6.0
	16-17		15-16		17		0
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits
Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	6.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	7.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	6.0
Free electives	8.0	Free electives	8.0	Free electives	9.0
	14		15		15
Total Credits 180-190

*

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

Math majors must pass MATH 121 with a grade of B or higher.

***

If a student takes both MATH 331 and MATH 401, then one of these can count as a Mathematics Elective. Up to 3 mathematics-related courses from other departments may be substituted for Mathematics Electives with departmental permission. MATH special topics courses may be substituted for Mathematics Electives with departmental permission.

MATH 100, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 110, MATH 119, MATH 180, MATH 171, MATH 172, MATH 173, and MATH 239 do not count towards the degree unless approved by the department

4 year, 1 coop

First Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
CS 150 or 164	3.0	CIVC 101	1.0	CS 172	3.0	VACATION
ENGL 101 or 111	3.0	COOP 101^**	1.0	ENGL 103 or 113	3.0
MATH 121^*	4.0	CS 171	3.0	MATH 123	4.0
UNIV S101	1.0	ENGL 102 or 112	3.0	MATH 200	4.0
Engaging the Natural World^†	3.0-4.0	MATH 122	4.0	Any BIO, CHEM, PHYS, or PHEV course	3.0-4.0
		Engaging the Natural World^†	3.0-4.0
	14-15		15-16		17-18		0
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
COM 230	3.0	MATH 210	4.0	MATH 331	4.0	MATH 332	3.0
MATH 201	4.0	Analyzing Cultures & Histories^†	3.0-4.0	Cultivating Global Competence^†	3.0-4.0	Cultivating Global Competence^†	3.0-4.0
MATH 220	3.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	3.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	4.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	4.0
Analyzing Cultures & Histories^****	3.0-4.0	Perspectives in Diversity^†	3.0-4.0	Understanding Society & Human Behavior^†	3.0-4.0	Free electives	6.0
	13-14		13-15		14-16		16-17
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
MATH 401	3.0	MATH 402	3.0	COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE
Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	3.0	UNIV S201	1.0
Understanding Society & Human Behavior^†	3.0-4.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	7.0
Free electives	6.0	Free electives	6.0
	15-16		17		0		0
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits
Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	7.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	6.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	6.0
Free electives	9.0	Free electives	9.0	Free electives	9.0
	16		15		15
Total Credits 180-190

*

Math majors must pass MATH 121 with a grade of B or higher.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

***

MATH 100, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 110, MATH 119, MATH 180, MATH 171, MATH 172, MATH 173, and MATH 239 do not count towards the degree unless approved by the department

†

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

5 year, 3 coop

First Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
CS 150 or 164	3.0	CIVC 101	1.0	CS 172	3.0	VACATION
ENGL 101 or 111	3.0	COOP 101^**	1.0	ENGL 103 or 113	3.0
MATH 121^*	4.0	CS 171	3.0	MATH 123	4.0
UNIV S101	1.0	ENGL 102 or 112	3.0	MATH 200	4.0
Engaging the Natural World^†	3.0-4.0	MATH 122	4.0	Any BIO, CHEM, PHYS, or PHEV course^****	3.0-4.0
		Engaging the Natural World^†	3.0-4.0
	14-15		15-16		17-18		0
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
COM 230	3.0	MATH 210	4.0	COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE
MATH 201	4.0	Analyzing Cultures & Histories^†	3.0-4.0
MATH 220	3.0	Cultivating Global Competence^†	3.0-4.0
Analyzing Cultures & Histories^†	3.0-4.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	3.0
Perspectives in Diversity^†	3.0-4.0
	16-18		13-15		0		0
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
MATH 331	4.0	MATH 332	3.0	COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE
Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	4.0	Cultivating Global Competence^†	3.0-4.0
Understanding Society & Human Behavior^†	3.0-4.0	Mathematics (MATH) elective^***	3.0
Free electives	4.0	Understanding Society & Human Behavior^†	3.0-4.0
		Free elective	3.0
	15-16		15-17		0		0
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
MATH 401	3.0	MATH 402	3.0	COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE
Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	3.0	UNIV S201	1.0
Free electives	9.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	7.0
		Free electives	4.0
	15		15		0		0
Fifth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits
Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	7.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	7.0	Mathematics (MATH) electives^***	6.0
Free electives	8.0	Free electives	8.0	Free electives	9.0
	15		15		15
Total Credits 180-190

*

Math majors must pass MATH 121 with a grade of B or higher.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

***

If a student takes both MATH 331 and MATH 401 then one of these can count as a Mathematics Elective. Up to 3 mathematics-related courses from other departments may be substituted for Mathematics Electives with departmental permission. MATH special topics courses may be substituted for Mathematics Electives with departmental permission.

MATH 100, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 110, MATH 119, MATH 180, MATH 171, MATH 172, MATH 173, and MATH 239 do not count towards the degree unless approved by the department

†

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Mathematicians are employed in a variety of capacities in business, industry, and government. Students can combine courses in economics or finance and mathematics to prepare for careers in the actuarial field, banks, stock exchanges, or finance departments of large corporations or other financial institutions. Students interested in science careers may focus on probability and statistics in order to work for industries like pharmaceutical manufacturers. Many others combine math studies with computer science courses to prepare for careers in information systems or engineering.

Teacher certification is also a career option available through a joint program in mathematics and teacher education.

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Dual Degree Bachelor’s Programs

Since applied mathematics plays an important role in many different disciplines, mathematics majors often choose to pursue specialization in a second field of study. Students may choose a dual major that involves completing the requirements of two separate majors or they can opt for a minor, which involves completing the major in one field and a smaller set of courses in another.

Dual majors are common in mathematics/computer science and mathematics/physics. Students interested in a dual major should consult with their advisor or contact the assistant department head. Dual majors in other fields are also possible, but early planning and discussions with advisors is essential.

Mathematics Faculty

David M. Ambrose, PhD (Duke University) Associate Department Head, Mathematics. Professor. Applied analysis and computing for systems of nonlinear partial differential equations, especially free-surface problems in fluid dynamics.

Jason Aran, MS (Drexel University). Associate Teaching Professor.

Jonah D. Blasiak, PhD (University of California at Berkeley). Associate Professor. Algebraic combinatorics, representation theory, and complexity theory.

Yasmine Boolakee-Pant, MS (University of Freiburg). Instructor.

Robert P. Boyer, PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Professor. Functional analysis, C*-algebras and the theory of group.

Fernando Carreon, PhD (University of Texas at Austin). Teaching Professor.

Patrick Clarke, PhD (University of Miami). Associate Professor. Homological mirror symmetry, Landau-Ginzburg models, algebraic geometry, symplectic geometry.

Daryl Falco, MS (Drexel University). Associate Teaching Professor. Discrete mathematics and automata theory.

Raymond Favocci, MS (Drexel University). Associate Teaching Professor.

Darij Grinberg, PhD (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Assistant Professor. Algebraic Combinatorics, Noncommutative Algebra, Symmetric Functions, Hopf Algebras, Enumerative Combinatorics, Invariant Theory

Pavel Grinfeld, PhD (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Associate Professor. Intersection of physics, engineering, applied mathematics and computational science.

Anatolii Grinshpan, PhD (University of California at Berkeley). Associate Teaching Professor. Function theory and operator theory, harmonic analysis, matrix theory.

Yixin Guo, PhD (University of Pittsburgh). Associate Professor. Biomathematics, dynamical systems, ordinary and partial differential equations and math education.

R. Andrew Hicks, PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Professor. Geometry; optics; computer vision.

Pawel Hitczenko, PhD (Warsaw University). Professor. Probability theory and its applications to analysis, combinatorics, wavelets, and the analysis of algorithms.

Jeffrey LaComb, PhD (Duke University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Rare Event Simulation, Dynamical Systems, Numerical Analysis and Mathematical Biology

Georgi S. Medvedev, PhD (Boston University). Professor. Ordinary and partial differential equations, mathematical neuroscience.

Cecilia Mondaini, PhD (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). Assistant Professor. Analysis of Partial Differential Equations, Fluid Dynamics, Stochastic Processes

Shari Moskow, PhD (Rutgers University) Department Head. Professor. Partial differential equations and numerical analysis, including homogenization theory, numerical methods for problems with rough coefficients, and inverse problems.

Oksana P. Odintsova, PhD (Omsk State University). Teaching Professor. Math education; geometrical modeling.

Dimitrios Papadopoulos, MS (Drexel University). Assistant Teaching Professor.

Joel Pereira, PhD (University of North Carolina). Assistant Teaching Professor. Commutative Algebra

Ronald K. Perline, PhD (University of California at Berkeley) Undergraduate Adviser. Associate Professor. Applied mathematics, numerical analysis, symbolic computation, differential geometry, mathematical physics.

Marci A. Perlstadt, PhD (University of California at Berkeley). Associate Professor. Applied mathematics, computed tomography, numerical analysis of function reconstruction, signal processing, combinatorics.

Adam C. Rickert, MS (Drexel University). Associate Teaching Professor.

Eric Schmutz, PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Professor. Probabilistic combinatorics, asymptotic enumeration.

Li Sheng, PhD (Rutgers University). Associate Professor. Discrete optimization, combinatorics, operations research, graph theory and its application in molecular biology, social sciences and communication networks, biostatistics.

Gideon Simpson, PhD (Columbia University). Associate Professor. Partial differential equations, scientific computing and applied mathematics.

Xiaoming Song, PhD (University of Kansas). Associate Professor. Stochastic Calculus, Large Deviation Theory, Theoretical Statistics, Data Network Modeling and Numerical Analysis.

Jeanne M. Steuber, MS (Boston University). Associate Teaching Professor.

Kenneth P. Swartz, PhD (Harvard University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Applied statistics, data analysis, calculus, discrete mathematics, biostatistics.

K. Shwetketu Virbhadra, PhD (Physical Research Laboratory). Instructor.

Richard D. White, MS (Penn State University). Assistant Teaching Professor.

Hugo J. Woerdeman, PhD (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam). Professor. Matrix and operator theory, systems theory, signal and image processing, and harmonic analysis.

J. Douglas Wright, PhD (Boston University) Associate Department Head. Professor. Partial differential equations, specifically nonlinear waves and their interactions.

Dennis G. Yang, PhD (Cornell University). Associate Teaching Professor. Dynamical systems, neurodynamics.

Thomas (Pok-Yin) Yu, PhD (Stanford University). Professor. Multiscale mathematics, wavelets, applied harmonic analysis, subdivision algorithms, nonlinear analysis, applied differential geometry and data analysis.

Matthew Ziemke, PhD (University of South Carolina). Assistant Teaching Professor. Functional Analysis, Operator Algebras, Semigroups, Mathematical Physics

Emeritus Faculty

Howard Anton, PhD (Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn). Professor Emeritus.

Loren N. Argabright, PhD (University of Washington). Professor Emeritus. Functional analysis, wavelets, abstract harmonic analysis, the theory of group representations.

Robert C. Busby, PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Professor Emeritus. Functional analysis, C*-algebras and group representations, computer science.

Ewaugh Finney Fields, EdD (Temple University) Dean Emeritus. Professor Emeritus. Mathematics education, curriculum and instruction, minority engineering education.

William M.Y. Goh, PhD (Ohio State University). Associate Professor Emeritus. Number theory, approximation theory and special functions, combinatorics, asymptotic analysis.

Patricia Henry Russell, MS (Drexel University). Teaching Professor Emerita.

Bernard Kolman, PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Professor Emeritus. Lie algebras; theory, applications, and computational techniques; operations research.

Charles J. Mode, PhD (University of California at Davis). Professor Emeritus. Probability and statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, mathematical demography, data analysis, computer-intensive methods.

Chris Rorres, PhD (Courant Institute, New York University). Professor Emeritus. Applied mathematics, scattering theory, mathematical modeling in biological sciences, solar-collection systems.

Justin R. Smith, PhD (Courant Institute, New York University). Professor Emeritus. Homotopy theory, operad theory, quantum mechanics, quantum computing.

Jet Wimp, PhD (University of Edinburgh). Professor Emeritus. Applied mathematics, special factors, approximation theory, numerical techniques, asymptotic analysis.