2024-2025 Catalog

Mathematics, BA, BS

Degree Requirements - 126 credits

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree with this major

Mathematics Major Requirements: 13-16 courses, 49-57 credits

Core Requirements (9 courses, 33 credits)

CMPSC-F131Computer Science I

4

MATH-165Calculus I

4

MATH-166Calculus II

4

MATH-185Discrete Mathematics I

4

MATH-265Calculus III

4

MATH-331Introduction to Advanced Mathematics

4

MATH-431Linear Algebra

4

MATH-462Real Analysis

4

MATH-511Launching a Career in Mathematics

1

Concentration Requirement (4-7 courses, 16-24 credits)

Choose one of the following areas of concentration:

  1. Actuarial Science (7 courses, 24 credits)

  2. Pure Mathematics (4 courses, 16 credits)

Residency Requirement Policy: In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

About the Mathematics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

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Concentrations

Actuarial Science Concentration: 7 courses, 24 credits

Concentration Requirements (6 courses, 21 credits)

EC-101Applied Microeconomics

3

EC-H101Honors Applied Microeconomics

3

EC-102Global Macroeconomics

3

EC-H102Honors Global Macroeconomics

3

FIN-200Business Finance

3

FIN-H200Honors Business Finance

3

MATH-255Probability and Statistics

4

MATH-290Financial Mathematics I

4

MATH-357Math Statistical Analysis

4

Students in the Honors Program have the option of completing the Honors version of a course.

Concentration Elective (1 course, 3 credits)

Choose one of the following:

FIN-311Intermediate Finance

3

FIN-H311Honors Intermediate Finance

3

FIN-313General Insurance

3

FIN-315Principles of Investments

3

FIN-H315Honors Principles of Investments

3

FIN-411Futures and Options

3

FIN-413Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management

3

Courses required in the major follow recommendations of the Society of Actuaries (SOA). Some Economics and Finance courses contribute to the Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) recommendations of the SOA.

Note: Although not required, it is strongly recommended that Mathematics majors also take CMPSC-F132 and an internship in Mathematics.

Pure Mathematics Concentration: 4 courses, 16 credits

Concentration Requirement (1 course, 4 credits)

MATH-432Abstract Algebra

4

Concentration Electives (3 courses, 12 credits)

-Choose one additional 4-credit Math course at the 200-level or higher

4

-Choose one additional 4-credit Math course at the 200-level or higher

4

-Choose one additional 4-credit Math course at the 200-level or higher

4

Note: Although not required, it is strongly recommended that Mathematics majors also take CMPSC-F132 and an internship in Mathematics.

About the Mathematics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Mathematics Major, Actuarial Science Concentration Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will... Students will be able to...
Strengthen their problem-solving skills and further develop their mathematical maturity - Make use of reasoning along with suitable theorems, ideas, or methods of proof to solve problems and prove mathematical facts
- Correctly implement suitable algorithms and perform multi-step computations
- Interpret and evaluate the practical merits of computed answers
Understand, evaluate, and interpret quantitative information given in a variety of formats - Make estimates and apply data given in graphical, tabular, or algebraic formats, and translate data between various formats
- Sketch graphs of given formulaic relationships with input from calculus, and identify and interpret graphical representations
Understand the need for proof and what comprises mathematical proof - Correctly apply techniques of logic and abstract reasoning in formulating and proving statements
- Read, write and understand proofs, and evaluate the correctness of a given proof
- Use various proof techniques successfully
Have a working knowledge of foundational technical material - Understand and express the statements of key theorems, and identify the main ideas in the proofs of certain of these theorems
- Analyze various mathematical situations and codify them in suitable mathematical language
- Understand and express conceptual motivations for computations
Know how to frame appropriate real-world problems in mathematical language - Use data in various forms to set up an abstract mathematical version of a problem
- Translate between information in practical real-world scenarios and the mathematical context, and back
- Recognize real-world manifestations of concepts from calculus and other mathematical disciplines, and problems to which these subjects can be applied
Skillfully communicate (both orally and in writing) mathematical ideas and applications - Explain mathematical processes and computations to others (both mathematicians and a general audience), orally or in writing
- Collaborate with others in the formulation, solution, and presentation of a [calculus, etc.] problem
- Use professional and domain-specific terminology correctly
Demonstrate competency in probability and financial mathematics - Show solid understanding and apply common distributions (binomial, Poisson, Normal, exponential)
- Work with joint distributions, and identify linear relations between two random variables
- Demonstrate solid understanding of central limit theorem and apply it
- Show solid understanding and apply the theory of interest

About the Mathematics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Mathematics Major, Pure Math Concentration Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will... Students will be able to...
Strengthen their problem-solving skills and further develop their mathematical maturity - Make use of reasoning along with suitable theorems, ideas, or methods of proof to solve problems and prove mathematical facts
- Correctly implement suitable algorithms and perform multi-step computations Interpret and evaluate the practical merits of computed answers
Understand, evaluate, and interpret quantitative information given in a variety of formats - Make estimates and apply data given in graphical, tabular, or algebraic formats, and translate data between various formats
- Sketch graphs of given formulaic relationships with input from calculus, and identify and interpret graphical representations
Understand the need for proof and what comprises mathematical proof - Correctly apply techniques of logic and abstract reasoning in formulating and proving statements
- Read, write and understand proofs, and evaluate the correctness of a given proof
- Use various proof techniques successfully
Have a working knowledge of foundational technical material - Understand and express the statements of key theorems, and identify the main ideas in the proofs of certain of these theorems
- Analyze various mathematical situations and codify them in suitable mathematical language
- Understand and express conceptual motivations for computations
Know how to frame appropriate real-world problems in mathematical language - Use data in various forms to set up an abstract mathematical version of a problem
- Translate between information in practical real-world scenarios and the mathematical context, and back
- Recognize real-world manifestations of concepts from calculus and other mathematical disciplines, and problems to which these subjects can be applied
Skillfully communicate (both orally and in writing) mathematical ideas and applications - Explain mathematical processes and computations to others (both mathematicians and a general audience) orally or in writing
- Collaborate with others in the formulation, solution, and presentation of a [calculus, etc.] problem
- Use professional and domain-specific terminology correctly

About the Mathematics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Honors

Honors in the Major is a highly selective opportunity to complete a signature original project or thesis with the close personalized mentorship of a departmental faculty member beginning in the junior year.  Students have the opportunity to complete a junior level interdisciplinary course addressing real-world problems. In the senior year, students present research or creative works completed in their discipline at the Honors in the Major Symposium. There is special recognition at Commencement and on the Suffolk transcript. 

About the Mathematics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page