Department of Mathematics

Department Information

Department Chair: Seth Armstrong
ELC 420 ~ (435) 865-8059

Administrative Assistant: Robin Archibald
ELC 423 ~ (435) 586-5448

Academic Advisor: Sharon Brown
Engineering and Technology Building 118 ~ (435) 586-5420
brownsh@suu.edu

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: Andreas Weingartner
Associate Professors: Seth Armstrong, Saïd Bahi, James Brandt, Sarah Duffin, Eric Freden, Jianlong Han, Derek Hein;
Assistant Professors: Roger Fischer, Jana Lunt, Gretchen Rimmash Meilstrup, Mark Meilstrup, Emma Schafer;
Lecturers: Matt Adams (NTT), Cecilia Weingartner (NTT)

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science

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 top-notch 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. Along with this, faculty members are scholars in their research fields which further aids them in teaching a wide range of course offerings. As our program has around 100 majors, each major receives personal attention from faculty. For future advancement, it is often better to be a superstar in a small program than 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; A 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 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.

An emphasis in Pure Math gives students the knowledge and skills to prepare students to be successful in graduate school mathematics or in industry

We require all majors to acquire skills that will prepare them for employment or the graduate program of their choice. We assess these skills in the classes and through an external comprehensive subject examination taken by each major their last year before graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree. This comprehensive mathematics subject exam must be passed with a minimum satisfactory score.

B.S. in Mathematics, Emphasis in Pure Mathematics
Recommended for students preparing for advanced studies in mathematics 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

B.S. in Mathematics, Education
Recommended for students preparing to teach mathematics at the high school level (Satisfies the courses required for the Utah State Board of Education Level- IV Endorsement in Mathematics)

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 may take the Accuplacer Exam in the SUU Testing Center. If the score on this test recommends the class the student wants, 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 because of denial of registration, the student should contact the Math Department chair by email and provide his/her T-number and a brief explanation, such as previous Math courses, for the requested waiver of the prerequisite course. 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 Math Department serves future mathematicians, math educators, scientists, 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 the lives 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 continually rate mathematics as one of the skills most in demand for college graduates, jobs in mathematics and actuarial science continually top lists in job satisfaction 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” or better. Students must take a comprehensive exam during their senior year with a satisfactory minimal score.