About

Have you always liked mathematics? Are you looking for a program that will help you develop an edge in the quantitative skills required in tomorrow's job market?

The BS in mathematics is a concentrated program that prepares you for a variety of career options in mathematics and related fields. The students choose one concentration area from: mathematics, sciences, statistics, and computer science to enhance their skills. Concentrating in the sciences is a favored option for the premeds in our program. Concentrations in mathematics or statistics are preferred by our students who go on to graduate school in mathematics or related fields like economics.

In high school, mathematics courses usually emphasize computational techniques-factoring polynomials, solving equations, and the like. At the university level, there is a much greater emphasis on ideas, and proof plays a greater role. Calculations still matter but it no longer suffices to "get the right answer" by applying a recipe in mechanical fashion. At heart, mathematics concerns the search for underlying patterns and the precise communication of meaning.

The science of mathematics differs from empirical sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Theories in these fields are supported by bodies of observation and remain true until invalidated or refined by new information. Mathematical theories are supported by deductive proof and remain true forever. For example, the geometry of the ancient Greeks is still valid and useful even though Euclid wrote his famous Elements more than two thousand years ago.

ECU Advantage

Our upper division courses contain fewer than 15 students per class, on an average, and our faculty provides individual attention to students. We have a wide selection of electives, allowing students to tailor their program and explore careers in many areas of mathematics, including the actuarial sciences. Many career paths are available to the mathematics major. Most of these require some knowledge of other areas as well as good communication and computer skills. Students can take advantage of the breadth of opportunities at ECU by pursing a degree in mathematics with a second major, minor, or significant course work in business, computer science, economics, or education.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Guglielmo Fucci (252-328-1885; fuccig@ecu.edu)

Credit toward the degree will not be given in any MATH course with a grade less than C- (1.7). 

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

    2. Common mathematics core - 37 s.h.
    • CSCI 1010 - Algorithmic Problem Solving
    • CSCI 1011 - Algorithmic Problem Solving Lab
    • MATH 2171 - Calculus I
    • MATH 2172 - Calculus II
    • MATH 2173 - Calculus III
    • MATH 2300 - Transition to Advanced Mathematics
    • MATH 3256 - Linear Algebra
    • MATH 3263 - Introduction to Modern Algebra
    • MATH 3307 - Mathematical Statistics I
    • MATH 3308 - Mathematical Statistics II
    • MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
    • MATH 4101 - Advanced Calculus I
    3. Concentrations - 18-33 s.h.

    (Choose one.)

      Computer science concentration - 19 s.h.
      • CSCI 2410 - Digital Logic Design OR
      • EENG 2410 - Digital Electronics
      • OR
      • CSCI 3675 - Principles of Programming Languages
      • OR
      • MATH 4110 - Elementary Complex Variables

      • CSCI 2400 - Discrete Structures I
      • CSCI 2405 - Discrete Structures II
      • CSCI 2530 - Algorithms and Data Structures
      • CSCI 2540 - Data Abstraction and Object-Oriented Data Structures
      • CSCI 3650 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms
      Mathematics concentration - 21-33 s.h.
      • MATH 4110 - Elementary Complex Variables
      • Minor (18-30 s.h.)
      • Minor (18-30 s.h.)
      Science concentration - 27-28 s.h.
      • CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
      • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
      • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
      • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
      • MATH 4110 - Elementary Complex Variables
      • PHYS 2350 - University Physics I
      • PHYS 2360 - University Physics II
      • Choose from the following:
        • BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I AND
        • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I AND
        • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II AND
        • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
        • OR
        • A combination of any 3 courses numbered above 1999 in chemistry or numbered above 2999 in physics.
      Statistics concentration - 18 s.h.
      • MATH 4005 - Introduction to Sampling and Experimental Design
      • MATH 4031 - Applied Statistical Analysis

      • MATH 4100 - Mathematics of Risk Analysis OR
      • MATH 4300 - Financial and Actuarial Mathematics

      • MATH 4201 - Introduction to Stochastic Processes
      • MATH 4774 - Programming for Research
      • MATH 4801 - Probability Theory
    4. Restricted electives - 3-12 s.h.

    (According to concentration area)

      Computer science concentration - 9 s.h.
        Choose a 3 s.h. MATH course numbered above 2999.
          Choose 6 s.h. CSCI electives numbered above 1999.
          Mathematics concentration - 9 s.h.

          (Choose 9 s.h. of MATH courses numbered above 2999.)

            Science concentration - 3 s.h.

            (Choose a 3 s.h. MATH course numbered above 2999.)

              Statistics concentration - 12 s.h.
                Choose 12 s.h. electives from:
                • ECON 4443 - Econometrics
                • OMGT 4493 - Quality Management
                • MATH courses numbered above 2999
                • MATH courses numbered above 2999
            5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
              For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.