Department of Mathematics

Department Information

Department Chair: Seth Armstrong
ELC 420 ~ (435) 865-8059 armstrong@suu.edu

Administrative Assistant: Robin Archibald
ELC 423 ~ (435) 586-5448 archibald@suu.edu

Student Success Advisors:
(A-I) Sharon Brown, brownsh@suu.edu, TH 118 ~ (435) 586-5420
(J-Z) Lauren Barker, laurenbarker@suu.edu, TH 117 ~ (435) 586-5420

Department Website: http://www.suu.edu/cose/math/

College Website: http://www.suu.edu/cose

Advisement Website: http://www.suu.edu/cose/advisement.html

Faculty:

Professor: Seth Armstrong, Saïd Bahi, Andreas Weingartner
Associate Professors: James Brandt, Sarah Duffin, Eric Freden, Jianlong Han, Derek Hein
Assistant Professors: Jana Lunt, Gretchen Rimmasch Meilstrup, Mark Meilstrup, Emma Schafer
Non-Tenure Track Lecturers: Matt Adams, Bryan Bradford, Andrew Misseldine, Cecilia Weingartner

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science

Mathematics - Emphasis in Actuarial Science
Mathematics - Emphasis in Pure Mathematics
Mathematics Education

Minor

Mathematics - Emphasis in Actuarial Science
Mathematics - Pure Mathematics Emphasis
Mathematics Education

Overview of Programs

The Department of Mathematics at Southern Utah University is staffed by excellent teachers, most of which hold terminal degrees in Mathematics or Mathematics Education. Instead of being taught by graduate students as in bigger schools, all courses are taught by professionals whose top priority is student engagement and effective teaching. Faculty members are also scholars in their research fields which further aids them in teaching a wide range of course offerings. As our program has around 90 majors, each major receives personal attention from faculty. For future advancement, it is often better to be a superstar in a small program than above average in a bigger program.

In addition, the Department of Mathematics boasts the latest math software, free tutoring services and excellent employment for its students. Opportunities are numerous for those students who wish to engage in undergraduate research and teaching assistantships.

The Department offers three programs: Mathematics Education, Mathematics with Actuarial Science Emphasis, and Mathematics with a Pure Math Emphasis. All graduates receive the Bachelor of Science degree in their chosen field of study.

The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education major is designed to give students the required mathematical and pedagogical knowledge to be effective secondary school teachers. Mathematics courses together with required Education courses satisfy course requirements for Level-IV Endorsement in the state of Utah. Student seeking this endorsement will also pass a Praxis subject exam and will apply to the Utah Office of Education for certification. Mathematical content knowledge is assessed through classroom performance and through a comprehensive examination taken by all majors in the Department of Mathematics take before they graduate. Teaching effectiveness is assessed through observations and evaluations of a cooperating teacher in a secondary school, a supervising SUU Math professor, and a supervising Education professor.

Mathematics Majors with Actuarial Science Emphasis are prepared through coursework to be able to pass two or more exams from the Society of Actuaries. As is typical in this field, they can be employed after graduation as they continue to study for and pass all exams necessary to become fully-credentialed actuaries. Talented majors with this emphasis can often find employment directly after graduation without passing Actuarial Exams.

The Emphasis in Pure Math gives students the knowledge and skills to prepare them to be successful in graduate school for a graduate degree in mathematics, statistics, physics, economics, or in one of many other related fields. In addition, it is an excellent as a pre-professional major for law or medical fields. In addition, student often obtain job directly in industry or finance.

We require all majors to acquire skills that will prepare them for employment or the graduate program of their choice.

B.S. in Mathematics, Emphasis in Pure Mathematics
Recommended for students preparing for advanced studies in mathematics or related sciences, as a major that has high acceptance rates in law school or medical programs, or for or employment in industry or business.

B.S. in Mathematics, Emphasis in Actuarial Science
Recommended for students preparing for careers as actuaries, a profession in demand by insurance and investment firms, banks, and government. This is also excellent preparation to be hired by a financial firm, often without having taken Actuarial Exams.

B.S. in Mathematics, Education
Recommended for students preparing to teach mathematics at the high school level. A graduate in this program satisfies the courses required for the Utah State Board of Education Level- IV Endorsement in Mathematics. To finish certification, a student will also need to pass the Praxis test; coursework also helps students prepare for this test to finish the endorsement process.

Math Course Placement

Remedial Math: MATH 0950 - Pre-Algebra and MATH 0990 - Beginning Algebra are offered through the University College. Students with questions about these classes can contact the Development Math Coordinator.

Other Math Courses: Before taking a Math course, a student should meet with his or her advisor to ensure correct placement and that the course taken is one needed for the degree sought by the student. The SUU Catalog gives prerequisites for each course under “Course Descriptions.” If a student wishes to challenge his/her course placement, due to the two-year State-mandated expiration of prerequisite course and ACT scores, or due to a grade below C in the prerequisite course, that student must take the Accuplacer Exam in the SUU Testing Center, offered on demand when the Testing Center is open. A student may take this test an another university, but must contact SUU’s Testing Center to set up the cut score correctly to count at SUU.

If the score on this test recommends the class the student wishes to take, the student should show the score printout to the Registrar’s Office to be allowed to register for the course. In other cases of challenging course placement, the student may contact the Math Department chair by email and provide his/her T-number and a brief explanation, such as previous Math courses, and other evidence of preparation for the placement sought. When the two-year expiration on prerequisites is due to a prolonged, excused absence such as military or church service, this may be waived at the discretion of the department chair so the next course can be taken. However, no course placement is guarantee of success in that course.

Mission

The Department of Mathematics serves future mathematicians, math educators, scientists, economists, business strategists and engineers. Those pursuing studies in the arts and humanities are also encouraged to study mathematics. Besides reading, no other skills are so highly valued across the breadth of professional society as those the Department of Mathematics is responsible to teach.

The Department of Mathematics is committed to offering a well-rounded academic program that will enhance excellent job prospects of those who take its courses. The demand for mathematical knowledge and skills is high in both industry and education. In secondary schools, the two greatest shortages of qualified teachers across the nation are in mathematics and technology. Also, jobs outlook publications and respected websites continually rate mathematics as one of the skills most in demand for college graduates. Jobs in mathematics, statistics, and actuarial science continually top lists in job satisfaction, earning, and security surveys.

Student Learning Outcomes

Mathematics and Mathematics Education graduates should be able to:

Use standard mathematical techniques to solve computational problems.
Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental mathematical concepts and results in the core content areas.
Use content knowledge to solve applied and real-world mathematical problems.
Communicate mathematics effectively using proper notation and terminology.
Use logical reasoning to construct clear and concise mathematical proofs.

Other Information

Summary of Fields of Study

All courses to be counted in the major and minor (Mathematics and Mathematics Education) must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better. Students will take a comprehensive exam during their senior year to assess their learning.