Overview
Mathematics is a fundamental source of communication in science and serves a role in every area of collegiate study. The purpose of the mathematics program is to offer a broad-based curriculum in science and mathematics that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics or a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Secondary Education. A separate concentration for students interested in engineering is available in the form of a pre-engineering program resulting in a Mathematics Degree from North Greenville University and an Engineering degree from Clemson University.
The mathematics program seeks to enable students to integrate mathematics, a Christian worldview, and an enriched cultural experience by offering coursework that provides a foundation that prepares them to pursue advanced studies or enter a mathematics-based career. Graduates will have a thorough understanding of mathematical concepts and will possess comprehension, application, and critical thinking skills applicable to a wide range of opportunities in education, sciences, business, industry, and other professions requiring a strong mathematical background.
The Mathematics Department will guide students through the development of mathematical thinking and communication skills by helping them: (1) progress from a procedural/ computational understanding of mathematics to a broad understanding encompassing logical reasoning, generalization, abstraction, and formal proof, (2) gain experience in careful analysis of data and (3) become skilled at conveying mathematical knowledge in a variety of settings, both orally and in writing. In addition, the department will assist students in developing skills in various technologies by giving them experience with technological tools such as computer algebra systems, visualization software, statistical packages, and computer programming languages. Finally, the department will help students develop a comprehensive view of mathematics by working with ideas representing the breadth of the mathematical sciences, including continuous and discrete, algebraic and geometric, and theoretical and applied.
Students will complete a senior-level capstone project requiring them to analyze and create mathematical arguments that make connections drawing on ideas and tools from previous coursework. The capstone project requires both written and oral reports.
The Mathematics Department encourages and nurtures mathematical sciences majors by:
- putting a high priority on effective and engaging teaching in introductory courses,
- seeking out prospective majors and encouraging them to consider majoring in mathematics and
- informing students about the careers open to mathematics majors and
- assigning every major a mathematics faculty advisor.
Mathematics is a cornerstone of modern society, so studying the mathematical sciences is essential for all students. It is also important that some leaders in all areas have a broader and deeper knowledge of mathematics conveyed by a degree in mathematics. Business, law, and other professional schools seek mathematical sciences majors and would welcome more.
Degree Requirements
Core Curriculum
Required Courses
Communication
Choose one course from the list below.
Literature
Choose one course from the list below.
Fine Arts
Choose one course from the list below.
Civic Awareness
Choose one course from the list below.
Natural Science with Lab
Choose one course and corresponding lab from the list below.
Major Requirements
| Total Free Elective Requirements |
24 |
| Total Degree Requirements |
124 |
Mission Statement and Outcomes
Mission Statement:
North Greenville University’s mathematics program offers a broad-based curriculum in science and mathematics that enables students to integrate mathematics, a Christian worldview, and an enriched cultural experience as they enter mathematics-based careers or advanced-degree programs. Throughout the degree program, students will develop their mathematical, critical thinking, and communication skills as they progress from a procedural/computational understanding of mathematics to a theoretical knowledge encompassing logical reasoning, generalization, abstraction, and formal proof.
SLOs:
- Students in various major-level courses will demonstrate a broad knowledge of calculus, algebra, and other fundamental concepts from undergraduate mathematics in a non-oral form.
- Students in various major-level courses will orally convey concepts from calculus, algebra, and other fundamental areas from undergraduate mathematics.
- Students will reason, construct, and evaluate mathematical arguments and develop an appreciation for mathematical rigor and inquiry by developing and assessing mathematical proofs and arguments.
- Students will apply mathematics to solve a variety of real-world problems.
- Students will be able to describe mathematics visually through graphs, drawings, posters, and other visual tools.