We're just getting started on this FAQ... So if you have a question about the math department at Texas A & M University - Commerce not addressed here, just send email or call 903.886.5157 or explore our homepage.
Q: Do I have to take Math 141, College Algebra, if I’m not a Math major?
A: Many different math classes satisfy University Studies
or core curriculum requirements,
including Math 141, Math 175, and Math 179.
If you're a science or engineering student, for instance,
you don't need to take Math 141 if
you can place into a higher level class, like
precalculus (Bath 142) or calculus I (Math 191). But if your algebra is
rusty, you'd want to start in Math 141 or a lower level algebra class like
Math 131.
Different undergraduate programs require different forms of University Studies math.
Students in some majors such as business generally
need to take Math 175 (and later Math 176);
many students in the humanities and fine arts
could take Math 179 instead. See the catalog
and talk to your advisor.
Q: I was placed into Math 131 but I think I should be in a higher level math - help?!
A: Perhaps you were placed in Math 131 because test scores
were not available. Be sure that you have SAT, ACT, or
COMPASS scores available. To see about placing into a
different level math class, you can also contact the Student Assessment office as follows
(and maybe 'test out of' Math 131):
Student Assessment Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm Office of Student Assessment & Evaluation Room 315 - McDowell Business Administration Building Phone: 903-886-5122 Fax: 903-468-3210 Office Staff: TestingOffice@tamu-commerce.edu
Q: I think I need help: where can I get a math tutor? When is the tutoring lab open?
A:
The Math Skills Center is in Binnion 328 (and we have a small computer lab in Binnion 327, too).
You can come in and get tutoring help; no appointment is necessary. Hours for spring 2009
are Monday/Wednesday 8am - 8pm, Tuesday/Thursday 8am - 6pm.
We will attempt Friday hours from 8am - 3pm (our normal schedule)
for the first month of so, to see what the usage levels will be. There are other tutoring
services available on campus such as through Student Services;
go to the 3rd floor of the Student Services Building, or call 903.886.5833, for details.
Q: How can I get a job as a math tutor? Or work on an outreach grant to area schools? Or get paid to do undergraduate research?
A: The math department regularly hires tutors,
as well as students for Operation Spark and Project STEEM grants.
Also, faculty often have individual grants to fund students in research.
Availability of positions varies, so stop by the main math office for details.
Q:I am taking College Algebra off-campus, and want to enroll in another class that has College Algebra as a prerequisite. Can I do that now?
A: Generally, the answer is “no”. Not until we have a final course grade in
College Algebra can a student who is taking College Algebra
presently register for a subsequent math class.
Q: Why can’t I drop my Math Math 131 or Math 141 or Math 175 or Math 179 class?
(PJCM 300 course?)
A: This is not a mathematics department rule, but a
University-wide rule. Basically, students should
be continually enrolled in math and/or English classes until the core
requirements were met - in large part because experience shows that
if students attempt to
put off those requirements, it becomes less and less likely that they will
be successful... but there are other reasons too (e.g. students need solid
math and writing skills for other courses, such as their science and
history and government classes). More specifically, the
University Basic Skills policy is available
here
Q:Is it true that, according to the Wall Street Journal, the
best job of all is mathematician?!
A: See for yourself: "Doing the Math to Find the Good Jobs
Mathematicians Land Top Spot in New Ranking of Best and Worst Occupations in the U.S" was in the
Wall Street Journal in early January 2009
The article was really about the following study from Jobsrated.com:
Comprehensive Ranking of 200 Different Jobs
You'll notice that the top three jobs, out of the 200 rated, are math-related.
If you're wondering what you can do with a math degree, come in and talk to a math faculty member - the possibilities
are innumerable.
Q: I want to take a lot of math classes, maybe get a degree in math, maybe be a teacher.
What are my options?
A: The department offers several different degrees,
so for details you will want to
meet with an academic advisor. The degrees vary in their depth. And you'll want to look in the
university catalog for details. A
“major” requires
33 credit hours in mathematics, beginning with calculus I. (Students needing to brush-up in
College Algebra or Precalculus may do so when they arrive on campus, or even before the
fall semester begins by taking summer classes.) A major also requires a minor or
second major in any academic area, whether it be a science, music, business, etc.
Note that many students choose a major in mathematics without a minor; instead,
they take education classes and become certified to teach secondary (high school) math,
and take 36 credit hours of math. Others have an outside major,
and elect math as a second major (requiring 24 credit hours of math: calculus
I, II and III, and 12 approved upper-level/advanced hours - be careful to check with the
department for approved classes).
Still others earn a minor in math (requiring 18 credit hours: calculus I and II,
and 10 hours of approved upper-level math).
In addition, students wishing to be middle-school math teachers
take 24 credit hours of mathematics (beyond College Algebra),
although these courses are different in scope (and, for instance, do not use calculus).
Such students in the middle school math teaching program
technically are getting a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, not math; their
home department is Curriculum and Instruction (Dr. Martha Foote is the department head).
A typical program for those pursuing a major in math (whether seeking secondary - high school - math teaching certification or not) is listed below – and with some modification, it applies to those seeking a second major:
•First year:
Math 191 and 192 (calculus I and II), and support courses such as
CSci 151 (programming in C++) and Phys 211 (calculus-based
physics - mechanics). Students also take courses in the core
curriculum (e.g. English, History, Political Science, science,
etc – many take Phys 212, electromagnetic theory, to finish
out their science requirement).
•Second year:
Math 331 (Discrete math), Math 314 (calculus III), advanced
math electives (e.g. Math 401 in the fall, Math 335 in the spring),
and CSci 152 (more programming C++) or CSci 270 (data structures),
and other core curriculum courses.
•Third year:
Math 334 (Abstract Algebra - usually offered Fall only!) and
advanced math electives, e.g. Math 426 in the fall and Math 321
and Math 437 in the spring; and coursework towards a minor, etc.
•Fourth year:
Advanced math electives, e.g. Math 315 in the fall (and Math
460 in the spring for those seeking certification); and
coursework towards a minor, second major, etc.
Basically, all students majoring in math (...whether or not they plan to teach...)
take 191 and 192 (calculus I and II), 331 (Discrete math - this includes
introduction to proofs), and 334 (Abstract algebra - usually taught
fall only).
Math majors not seeking secondary certification also take calculus III, and 5
approved advanced electives; math majors seeking secondary certification don't
have to take calculus III, but to get up to the right number of hours most do.
“Advanced math electives” include the following (with shortened unofficial titles).
Math 315 (differential equations), 317 (numerical analysis),
321* (college geometry), 335* (linear algebra), 401* (probability)
or 453* (statistics), 426* (history of math), 437* (number theory),
436 (real analysis), 438 (complex variables), 440 (topology),
and/or special topics or graduate coursework. [* denotes courses
required for those seeking secondary certification in math – 460
is also required for those students.]
Math majors not seeking secondary certification cannot take Math 453 for advanced
hours credit, so if they want to take probability and statistics and have it
apply towards their degree, they would want to take Math 401. Again, see the
catalog or contact the department.
Many students decide they like math and want to teach, but at the middle-school
level. Students seeking
certification as a middle school math teacher (grades 4-8)
don't actually get a degree in math. Instead, they get a degree
in Interdisciplinary Studies from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
They
generally take College Algebra as well as Math 301, 350, 351, 361, 362, 372, 380 and 453.
If a student seeks a major in math, and doesn't plan to go the secondary certification route, what about a minor or second major? A lot of math majors get second majors or minors in the sciences (e.g. computer science, physics, biology, chemistry) or engineering. But some are music majors... or English majors... or history majors... or economics or business or accounting or ...
Finally, some students who already
have college degrees want to teach. It's best if they have
a degree in math, but math teachers are in high demand, so a solid background in math might be enough
to get a job.
To get certified once you have a degree, you can
go through the
A&M-Commerce
Alternative Certification program. To take graduate classes in mathematics,
usually students have a college degree with a major in math,
but not always - we've certainly had
engineers and economists and science majors and others take grad
math courses and do fine. A
relatively strong background in math is required, and certainly several
semesters of calculus, a proof-based class, and some upper-level electives are
the minimum. For graduate course advising, visit the website and contact the department.
Other, non-math-department, questions? Visit the University's general FAQ page.
Back to the math department homepage.