Courses | B.S. in Mathematics
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 6 credits in integration seminar and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics must complete the mathematics program courses and one of the concentrations. 1 | ||
| CSCI 105 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| MATH 150 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 204 | Introduction to Abstract Math | 3 |
| MATH 250 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 291 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 305 | Introduction to Real Analysis I | 3 |
| MATH 315 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
| MATH 370 | Readings in Mathematics 2 | 2 |
| BBST 465 | Integration Seminar (BBST 4656 God and Math highly recommended) 3 | 3 |
| Students who plan to pursue graduate studies should take at least two of the following courses regardless of the area of concentration: | ||
| Introduction to Real Analysis II | ||
| Abstract Algebra II | ||
| Advanced Topics in Mathematics | ||
| Total Credits | 32 | |
- 1
See concentration tables below which detail the requirements to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree.
- 2
MATH 370 must be taken twice (2 credits total).
- 3
This course satisfies the Integration Seminar in the traditional 30-credit Biblical and Theological Studies requirement.
Concentrations
Actuarial Science (65 Credits)
Students who wish to pursue actuarial science, business analytics, or related fields should choose this concentration.
In addition to the program courses above, this concentration must complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 32 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| BUSN 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| BUSN 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUSN 211 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| BUSN 212 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
| BUSN 370 | Business Finance | 3 |
| MATH 190 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 331 | Probability | 3 |
| MATH 332 | Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 333 | Operations Research | 3 |
| MATH 335 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Select one course (3 credits) at the 300 or 400 level in Math | 3 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 33 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 57-61 | |
| Total Credits | 122-126 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Applied Mathematics (50 Credits)
Students who are interested in preparing for careers in business or industry should choose this concentration. Courses introduce a variety of areas of applied mathematics.
In addition to the program courses above, this concentration must complete the following.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 32 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MATH 321 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 331 | Probability | 3 |
| MATH 332 | Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 333 | Operations Research | 3 |
| MATH 335 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 440 | Complex Variables | |
| Select one course at the 300 or 400 level in Math | 3 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 57-61 | |
| General Electives | 9-13 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Computer Science (56 Credits)
This concentration allows a mathematics major the opportunity to focus on the more mathematical aspects of computer science.
In addition to the program courses above, this concentration must complete the following.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 32 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select at least two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Probability | ||
| Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Operations Research | ||
| The following courses are also required: | ||
| CSCI 106 | Data Structures | 3 |
| CSCI 220 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | 3 |
| CSCI 400 | Theory of Algorithms | 3 |
| Select three courses at the 300 or 400 level in Math or Computer Science | 9 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 24 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 57-61 | |
| General Electives | 3-7 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Pure Mathematics (50 Credits)
This concentration allows the student flexibility in the selection of upper-division courses. A faculty advisor will aid the student in making these choices. Students planning to pursue mathematics in graduate school will find this concentration particularly appropriate.
In addition to the program courses above, this concentration must complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 32 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MATH 331 | Probability | 3 |
| Select 5 courses at the 300 or 400 level in Math | 15 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 57-61 | |
| General Electives | 9-13 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Statistics and Data Science (50 credits)
The Statistics and Data Science concentration is designed to equip students to obtain valid data and use it to answer the questions they face on the job and in the world, with a biblical worldview.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 32 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CSCI 106 | Data Structures | 3 |
| MATH 318 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| MATH 331 | Probability | 3 |
| MATH 332 | Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 380 | Statistical Consulting Practicum | 3 |
| or MATH 319 | Statistics II | |
| Statistics and Data Science Capstone 1 | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Advanced Business Analytics 2 | ||
| Programming for Data Science I | ||
| Programming for Data Science II 2 | ||
| Database Management 2 | ||
| Topics in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) 2 | ||
| Statistics II 3 | ||
| Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 4 | 57-61 | |
| General Electives | 9-13 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
MATH 470 is to be taken in place of one of the sections of MATH 370, 2 credits of which are required for the Math major.
- 2
This course requires a prerequisite which is not a major or concentration requirement. See department for advising.
- 3
If not taken above as an alternate to MATH 380.
- 4
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Mathematics: Secondary Instruction
Students who wish to prepare to teach mathematics at the secondary level should select this concentration to work toward a preliminary single-subject credential.
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Biola's Mathematics Secondary Instruction program is a Commission-approved subject matter program. Completion of the subject matter program does not lead to a credential but it may be used to meet the subject matter competency requirement for a teaching credential. The Professional Teacher Preparation Program leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation. Please see a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential, including the CSET subject matter waiver program. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor.
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Students who wish to prepare to teach mathematics at the secondary level should select this concentration to work toward a preliminary single-subject credential. Completion of the program requirements will prepare students with the content knowledge necessary to teach mathematics in departmentalized classes, such as those in most middle schools and high schools. Students who meet all requirements and pass the necessary classes with a grade of C or above and with a B- or above in LEDU 433 will be granted a waiver to satisfy the California subject matter requirements to obtain a teaching credential in mathematics.
In addition to the program courses above, this concentration must complete the following.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 32 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MATH 318 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| or MATH 332 | Mathematical Statistics | |
| MATH 331 | Probability | 3 |
| MATH 341 | Classical Geometry | 3 |
| MATH 415 | Number Theory and the History of Mathematics | 3 |
| Select two courses at the 300 or 400 level in Math | 6 | |
| HIST 200 | United States History To 1865 1 | 3 |
| or POSC 225 | Survey of American Government | |
| PSYC 200 | Introduction to Psychology 2 | 3 |
| Education Courses | ||
| LEDU 301 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
| LEDU 330 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| LEDU 341 | Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| LEDU 425 | Secondary Content Area Reading | 3 |
| LEDU 433 | Single Subject Pedagogy | 2 |
| LEDU 438 | Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 3 |
| Student teaching (12 credits) may be completed at the graduate level and is not required for undergraduate graduation. Please meet with an advisor in the School of Education. | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching I | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching II | ||
| Concentration Course Requirements: 41 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 3 | 51-55 | |
| Total Credits | 124-128 | |
- 1
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that a teaching credential candidate must have completed a minimum 2-credit course that covers the U.S. Constitution or fulfill this requirement by examination. Biola University students may complete this requirement by taking either HIST 200 or POSC 225 with a grade of C or better. Students receiving AP college credit for either HIST 200 or POSC 225 will also meet this requirement. Transfer coursework must be reviewed by a credential analyst in the School of Education. Either course fulfills the History Core Curriculum requirement.
- 2
Fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.
- 3
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.