Mathematics, B.S.

University General Education Requirements 

Interim Department Chairperson: Mark Smith

The Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology (CIMST) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with two options: (a) Mathematics and (b) Secondary Teaching. Within the Mathematics Option, a student may take an actuarial science concentration. Mathematics majors are encouraged to take courses in computer science and minor in computer science and/or earn the various IT certificates offered by the Department. Secondary Mathematics majors are encouraged to explore career options in school libraries offered by the Library Science program of the Department. Overall, the Mathematics Option will prepare students for careers in banks, insurance, industry, and government or to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics.

Completion of the Secondary Teaching Option in Mathematics qualifies students for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement for teaching mathematics for grades 9-12 and a middle grade endorsement in mathematics for grades 6-8, provided the program is completed and the middle grade endorsement issued by January 31, 2018. February 1, 2018, Middle School-New Middle Grades (5-8) educator preparation programs became effective.

Students in current grades 6-12 programs will now only receive endorsements for grades 9-12 instead of the previous 6-8 grade and 9-12 grade ranges.

Licensure requires the successful completion of the ACT or SAT (see College of Education Handbook), Mathematics content area and edTPA. The secondary teaching program meets Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards in mathematics education.

The Department of Mathematics offers an integrated BS/MS degree program which allows students to begin earning credit towards a Master’s degree while still pursuing undergraduate studies. A limited number of eligible courses can be credited to both degrees. Strong students are encouraged to consider matriculating in an integrated program. Entering freshmen can complete both degrees in 9 to 11 semesters and acquire at least 144 semester hours out of which at most 9 hours would have been credited towards both degrees. Transfer students can complete the full program in a lesser time frame.

Students’ advising and planning begin at their inception as mathematics majors, but they are admitted to their integrated degree program only after completing at least 60 hours of college-level courses applicable toward a baccalaureate degree in mathematics either at CSU or as transfer students. Students in the Integrated Program still need to apply for the MS program (consult the advisor for the appropriate time frame). Applications are processed by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. Eligible transfer students may concurrently apply for the baccalaureate degree and the integrated MS program.

The department offers a minor sequence in mathematics. It will provide students majoring in other disciplines access to more potent professional tools and help them to gain a deeper understanding of their own fields.

All entering freshmen and transfer students who intend to major in a mathematics program are required to take the university placement examination in mathematics. These students may not register for any mathematics or computer science course until they have taken the examinations. These examinations are designed to place students into the appropriate mathematics course from College Algebra to Calculus. Credit will not be given for any mathematics course that is a prerequisite for a course in which a grade of C or better has already been earned.