Catalog 2025 — Indefinite
Academic Level: Undergraduate
Personnel
Chair: Kevin Brown
Faculty: Patricia Anderson, Kevin Brown, Adam Heck, Ryan Loga
Program Coordinator: Kevin Brown
About
Throughout recorded history mathematics and mathematical thinking have influenced man's culture to an extent that even many well-educated people fail to appreciate. The Elements of Euclid, the invention of a place-value numeration system, the invention of the calculus, the development of statistical inference, and more recently the development of computers, to name just a few, are mathematical contributions to civilization which have significantly affected the philosophies, commerce, science, and technology of mankind.
The Mathematics Department seeks to transmit this mathematical heritage to the students of Southern Adventist University by (1) introducing students to mathematical concepts and techniques and the disciplined, logical thinking required to successfully apply them to a variety of problem-solving experiences, (2) providing a stage in the formal education of professional mathematicians, (3) educating teachers of mathematics, and (4) providing appropriate courses for users of mathematics.
Mission Statement
In harmony with Southern Adventist University's Christian environment, the Mathematics Department seeks to provide students with mathematical skills and concepts appropriate to their chosen field of study and to prepare mathematics majors and minors for distinguished professional performance in mathematics or other fields that require a strong mathematical background.
Assessment
All mathematics majors are required to take the Educational Testing Service Major Field Achievement Test in mathematics during their senior year. The results of this examination are used in an ongoing review of the departmental curriculum.
Additional Information
Mathematics Placement Exam
If a student does not qualify for MATH-122 (Precalculus I), MATH-125 (Precalculus), or MATH-191 (Calculus I) based on their ACT/SAT math score (or lack thereof), but believes they are prepared for the course, they can take a proctored placement exam on ALEKS to demonstrate their readiness. ALEKS is a web-based platform that uses artificial intelligence to assess a student’s understanding and determine the appropriate mathematics course for their success.
Exam Details
- Format: Up to 30 questions
- Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
- Cost: $25 (paid by the student)
Students may take a practice placement exam (without a proctor) before the official proctored exam. After the practice exam, students will have access to preparation materials on ALEKS to help them get ready for the official exam. Scores from the proctored exam will be reported to the mathematics department, which will then decide on placement. Students will be contacted regarding their placement so they can register for the appropriate course.
Steps to Take the Placement Exam
- Register: Sign up and pay the $25 at www.aleks.com by selecting "SIGN UP" at the top of the page.
- Class Code: Obtain a class code by contacting the chair of the Mathematics Department or the course professor via email.
- Registration: Follow the prompts and enter the required information to register for the placement exam.
- Initial Assessment (Optional): Complete an initial, unproctored Placement Assessment. This does not count as an official placement test.
- Prep and Learning Module (Optional): Work in a prep and learning module based on your placement results and desired mathematics course to prepare for the official proctored exam.
- Proctored Assessment: Complete a proctored assessment on the campus of Southern Adventist University. The proctored test will be available on three different dates each school year: before the start of the fall semester, near the end of the fall semester, and near the end of the spring semester. For specific date, time, and location information, email the chair of the Mathematics Department or the course professor.
Students who do not place into their desired course may retake the placement exam during the next available proctored exam time. Additional exams taken within one year from the initial registration date for ALEKS and payment of the $25 fee will not incur any extra cost.
Important Considerations
It is crucial that students take this placement exam seriously. Gaining admission to a course for which you are not prepared can lead to poor results and a waste of time and money. Be honest about your abilities and do your best on the placement exam to ensure you are placed in the course that best matches your mathematical skills
Associated Programs
Program Specific Info
Students interested in the actuarial profession should attain a B.A. Mathematics degree which includes MATH 327 and MATH 329 with CPTR 124 as cognate and the following School of Business courses leading to a minor in Business Administration:
- ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting I 3 hours
- ACCT 222 Principles of Accounting II 3 hours
- BMKT 326 Principles of Marketing 3 hours
- ECON 224 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 hours
- ECON 225 Principles of Microeconomics 3 hours
- FNCE 315 Principles of Finance 3 hours
- MGNT 334 Principles of Management 3 hours
- MGNT 420 Organizational Behavior 3 hours
Notes:
- ECON 224 and ECON 225 are needed to satisfy the Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) in Economics requirement of the Society of Actuaries (SOA). ACCT 221, ACCT 222, and FNCE 315 are needed to satisfy the VEE in Accounting and Finance requirement of the SOA.
- ECON 213 is required in the minor, but ECON 224 can replace that requirement (petition).
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits:
Requirements
- Select an Emphasis/Concentration below to see program requirements.
Mathematics (No Emphasis) Emphasis
BA Mathematics
Catalog 2021 — Indefinite
REQUIRED COURSES (34 Total Credits)- Course(s):
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH201 - Intermediate Linear Algebra (3)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH219 - Set Theory and Logic (3)
- MATH312 - History of Mathematics (W) (3)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- MATH318 - Abstract Algebra (3)
- MATH410 - Real Analysis (3)
- MATH490 - Senior Capstone (1)
- Select MATH (Mathematics) Electives from courses numbered 300 - 499 (3 credits)
REQUIRED COGNATES (4 - 5 Total Credits)- Complete 1 of the following:
- Course(s): CPTR124 - Fundamentals of Programming (4)
- Course(s):
- PHYS211 - General Physics I (IN-7) (3)
- PHYS213 - General Physics Laboratory I (IN-7) (1)
- Course(s):
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
GENERAL EDUCATION (39 - 42 Total Credits)- Complete at least 39-42 credits in this area
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits)- Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of Foreign Language in high school) - Can be satisfied with two years of foreign language in high school or elementary foreign language at Southern.
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (29 - 19 Total Credits)- Complete at least 29-19 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124
Mathematics, Teaching Licensure, 6-12 Emphasis
BA Mathematics — BA Mathematics
Catalog 2022 — Indefinite
About
Secondary licensure in Mathematics requires a baccalaureate degree and completion of professional education courses (see Professional Education) for licensure. See further explanations in the School of Education and Psychology section.
The student must apply for Initial Admission to the Teacher Education Program (usually by the end of the sophomore year) after completing all requirements as outlined under ADMISSION PROCEDURES in the School of Education and Psychology section of the Catalog. Initial admission is required before the student can enroll in upper division education courses.
The student must also complete an application and all other requirements for Admission to Student Teaching. Prior to the professional semester, the student must take and pass the PRAXIS II licensure exam-both the appropriate section of the Principles of Learning and Teaching, and the particular specialty test(s) for the licensure area(s).
REQUIRED COURSES (37 Total Credits)- Course(s):
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH201 - Intermediate Linear Algebra (3)
- MATH215 - Statistics (IN-4) (3)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH219 - Set Theory and Logic (3)
- MATH312 - History of Mathematics (W) (3)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- MATH318 - Abstract Algebra (3)
- MATH410 - Real Analysis (3)
- MATH415 - Geometry (3)
- MATH490 - Senior Capstone (1)
REQUIRED COGNATES (4 - 5 Total Credits)- Complete 1 of the following:
- Course(s): CPTR124 - Fundamentals of Programming (4)
- Course(s):
- PHYS211 - General Physics I (IN-7) (3)
- PHYS213 - General Physics Laboratory I (IN-7) (1)
- Course(s):
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
TEACHER LICENSURE (50 Total Credits) GENERAL EDUCATION (23 - 27 Total Credits)- Complete at least 23-27 credits in this area
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits)- Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of Foreign Language in high school)
ELECTIVES TO=124-125 (10 - 0 Total Credits)- Complete at least 10-0 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124 - 125
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits:
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (42 - 43 Total Credits)- Course(s):
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH201 - Intermediate Linear Algebra (3)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH219 - Set Theory and Logic (3)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- MATH318 - Abstract Algebra (3)
- MATH410 - Real Analysis (3)
- MATH485 - Mathematics Seminar (W) (1)
- MATH486 - Mathematics Seminar II (W) (1)
- MATH490 - Senior Capstone (1)
- Select 4 course(s):
- MATH312 - History of Mathematics (W) (3)
- MATH316 - Partial Differential Equations (3)
- MATH317 - Complex Variables (3)
- MATH320 - Numerical Analysis (3)
- MATH327 - Probability and Statistics (4)
- MATH329 - Actuarial Exam P Preparation (3)
- MATH415 - Geometry (3)
REQUIRED COGNATES (8 - 10 Total Credits)- Complete 1 of the following:
- Course(s):
- CPTR124 - Fundamentals of Programming (4)
- CPTR215 - Fundamentals of Software Design (4)
- Course(s):
- PHYS211 - General Physics I (IN-7) (3)
- PHYS212 - General Physics II (3)
- PHYS213 - General Physics Laboratory I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS214 - General Physics Laboratory II (1)
- Course(s):
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS222 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS224 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab II (1)
GENERAL EDUCATION (39 - 42 Total Credits)- General Education requirements
- Complete at least 39-42 credits in this area
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (35 - 29 Total Credits)- Complete at least 35-29 credits in this area
DEGREE INFORMATION (0 Total Credits)- See General Degree and General Education requirements. Note especially requirements of make-up of admissions deficiencies, three writing emphasis courses, and 40 upper division credits.
Grand Total Credits: 124
Sample Degree Plan
YEAR 1FALL- Course(s):
- Complete 1 of the following:
- Course(s): CPTR124 - Fundamentals of Programming (4)
- Course(s):
- Course(s):
- NOTE: IF CPTR 124 or PHYS 211+213 are chosen, 1 credit of electives will need to be taken before graduation to ensure total credits reach 124
WINTER- Course(s):
- Complete 1 of the following:
- Course(s): CPTR215 - Fundamentals of Software Design (4)
- Course(s):
- Course(s):
- NOTE: IF CPTR 215 or PHYS 212+214 are chosen, 1 credit of electives will need to be taken before graduation to ensure total credits reach 124
YEAR 2FALL- Course(s):
- Select 1 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
WINTER- Course(s):
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
- Select 6 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses (SERV-2)
YEAR 3FALL- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from IN-6) Historical Perspectives
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
- Select 6 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
WINTER- Course(s):
- Select 8 credits from the following types of courses: Upper-division general elective courses
- Select 1 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
YEAR 4FALL- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from R-3) Biblical Studies
WINTER- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from IN-8) Human Development
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Upper-division general elective courses (W)
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
Grand Total Credits: 124
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (18 Total Credits)- Course(s):
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- Select MATH (Mathematics) Electives from courses numbered 100 - 499 (4 credits)
- Select MATH (Mathematics) Electives from courses numbered 300 - 499 (6 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 18
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits: 18