Undergraduate Program

The Department of Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science degree program.
Please direct inquiries about our undergraduate program to Professor Roger Waggoner in 217 Maxim Doucet Hall or by e-mail at: math@louisiana.edu

Bachelor of Science

Elementary, my dear Watson
Mathematics is used every day to solve problems, from something as mundane as figuring out how much money is (or isn't) in your checking account to calculating how long it would take to travel to the stars. It's all done by using the principles of deductive reasoning. A mathematician gets down to basics by stripping a problem of its non-essential elements and reformulating it in mathematical language -- the language used in the fields of science and technology. You could help to find a cure for disease or keep a space station in orbit by solving certain mathematical problems. UL Lafayette plays an important part in preparing you to perhaps someday do just that.

But can I get a job?
In this era of computers in kindergarten, the need for those with a firm grasp of the mathematical sciences is growing. Mathematicians have been stereotyped as leading dull, abstraction-filled existences, but that's no longer accurate -- if it ever was. Many of the problems you, as a mathematician, will have to solve provide a challenge and require innovative and creative ideas. A degree in mathematics opens the door to a number of career fields. Just ask UL Lafayette President Ray Authement, who is a former math professor. For instance, you could be:

• a teacher;
• an actuary;
• a health management professional;
• a consultant in industry or government; or
• a basic researcher.

Who's going to teach me how to do this?
UL Lafayette's mathematics department includes 35 faculty members who specialize in giving students individual attention. Faculty members are active in the research areas of algebra, analysis, topology, applied mathematics and statistics.

What about computers?
The computer is an indispensable tool for modern mathematics. The University's computing network makes more than 185 Sun workstations available to students. More advanced students in mathematics and statistics may use the department's special lab facilities for assignments and projects.

By the numbers
While UL Lafayette's mathematics program teaches you all you need to know about math, it also allows you to explore arts and sciences through electives. In the classroom, you will often have the opportunity to get your hands on state-of-the-art calculator and computer equipment. Some of the courses you could take include calculus, differential equations, logic and foundations, topology, applied mathematics, linear and abstract algebra, and statistics. Worried about the cost? Some scholarships are dedicated exclusively to math majors.

One convenient location
Maxim Doucet Hall is the site for departmental classrooms and offices. Also on site are the Department's mathematics library, two computer labs and an extensive collection of application software for solving problems in accounting, economics, engineering, management, mathematics, physics, political science, sociology and statistics.

If a train leaves New York heading West at 10 o'clock...
Do you love to solve problems? Then you'll want to join the UL Lafayette Math Club. It meets regularly to solve recreational problems and to propose new ones.

But I already know all that stuff...
If you really did your homework in high school, you might be able to skip a few classes. You could earn as many as 14 semester hours of advanced placement credit. Ask your adviser about testing. If you show extra talent in math, you may be eligible for specially designed honors courses where you can hobnob with other students with similar educational backgrounds, abilities and interests.

I love math, and I want to be a teacher.
If you plan to teach high school math, you should enroll in the College of Education, but some of your curriculum will be taught within the Mathematics Department, giving you the best of both worlds. Under this program, you'll take a combination of standard courses and courses designed especially for you. You'll be part of classes that are on the cutting edge of the national reform movement in mathematics teacher preparation.

What about advanced degrees?
You can get your Master of Science degree and your Doctor of Philosophy with concentrations in pure or applied mathematics or statistics at UL Lafayette. Want a solid foundation for pursuing these advanced degrees? UL Lafayette's undergraduate mathematics program will give you all you need.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
CODE : S671 (270101-01)

1. Very well prepared students should inquire about taking the Honors class.
2. Must be selected from DANC, MUS, THEA, VIAR.
3. Students planning graduate study should take French or German.
4. ENGL 201, 202, 205 or 206.
5. SCI electives are to be chosen from both biological (BIOL or RRES 150) and physical (CHEM, GEOL, or PHYS) sciences, two courses of which must be from the same science.
6. Refer to the specific degree requirements of the College. Electives must be approved by the department.
7. Must be chosen from ANTH, ECON, GEOG, POLS, PSYC, or SOCI. At least one BHSC elective must be at the 200 level or above.
8. Upper level mathematical sciences must be approved by the department.
9. A sufficient number of semester hours of electives must be at the 300 or 400 level in order to meet the requirement of 45 semester hours of 300 or 400 level courses.

Graduate Programs

The Department of Mathematics offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs. Various forms of financial support are available. Anyone interested in our graduate programs may contact the graduate coordinator Keng Deng (deng@louisiana.edu).

Master of Science

The degree of Master of Science with a major in mathematics is designed to advance the student's knowledge of applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics, and to introduce the student to independent study and research. Completion should enable the student to pursue a more advanced degree, teach mathematics at the secondary or college level, or use mathematical techniques in a scientific or industrial environment.

Prerequisites
The admission decision for a prospective student will be based on the Graduate Record Examination scores, the student's record in undergraduate mathematics or statistics, and letters of recommendation. At least nine semester hours beyond calculus, with courses in advanced calculus and linear algebra when possible, should be included in the undergraduate program.

Course Requirements
The Master of Science has thesis and non-thesis tracks.

The thesis track requires twenty-four semester hours of course work and the preparation of a thesis (for which six hours credit is given). A minimum of twelve semester hours in mathematics courses above the 400-level is required.

The non-thesis track requires thirty-six semester hours of graduate course work, of which a minimum of eighteen hours must be above the 400-level. The student may concentrate in applied mathematics by taking courses in differential equations, numerical analysis, and statistics; or in core mathematics by taking courses in algebra, analysis, and topology.

In either track, a student must complete at least one of the two semester sequences: MATH 535-536, MATH 537-538, MATH 555-556, MATH 565-566, MATH 573-574, MATH 575-576, MATH 583-584, MATH 595-596, STAT 523-524, or STAT 530-535.

Information about specific required courses can be obtained from the department's graduate coordinator. All programs of study must be approved in advance by the graduate coordinator.

Other Requirements
Candidates must pass a comprehensive examination covering the student's course work and also basic topics from certain standard areas such as advanced calculus and linear algebra. The examination may be partly written and partly oral; when a thesis is written, part of the oral portion of the examination is a defense of the thesis.

Financial Support
Fellowships and assistantships are available for students seeking a Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Stipends per fiscal year are $17,000 for a Board of Regents Fellowship and $12,000 for a University Fellowship. Both are generally renewable for four years. The Department also awards assistantships of up to $13,500 per academic year. In addition, all fellows and assistants receive a waiver of tuition and almost all fees; and fellows have priority for low-cost university housing. Summer support is generally available. Information can be obtained from the department's graduate coordinator.

Doctor of Philosophy

A student working towards a Doctor of Philosophy degree in mathematics is expected to major in one of the areas of mathematics in which there is active faculty research interest. These areas currently include algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics and topology.

Admission
A student desiring to enter the doctoral program must meet all requirements for admission at the master's level and must submit satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination.

General Requirements
A minimum of seventy-two semester hours of credit beyond the bachelor's degree is required; at least forty-eight of these hours must be in regular course work. A student entering the program who has had previous graduate work in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, or statistics will have the program of study adjusted according to the graduate work already completed.

General Comprehensive Examination
Each student must complete five of the beginning graduate-level sequences (MATH 535-536, MATH 537-538, MATH 555-556, MATH 561-562, MATH 565-566, MATH 573-574, MATH 575-576, MATH 583-584, MATH 595-596, STAT 523-524, STAT 530-535) or their equivalents, and must pass written examinations in four of the following: algebra; algebraic topology; complex analysis; differential equations; general topology; numerical analysis; real and functional analysis; mathematical statistics and applied statistics. One of the written examinations must be in the area of the student's dissertation.

In addition to these written examinations, the student must pass an oral examination in the area of specialization. This oral examination covers all work in the area of specialization with special attention given to topics covered in advanced courses.

Language Requirement
The student must demonstrate knowledge in either two approved natural languages other than English, or a combination of any two of an approved natural language, a computer language, mathematical software (such as MATHEMATICA or MATLAB), statistics, and several standard statistical computer packages. Departmental approval is required.

Dissertation
After the student has been admitted to candidacy and a major professor has been selected, the department will recommend a dissertation committee to the Dean of the Graduate School. The major professor chairs the committee.

The dissertation must represent an original contribution to applied mathematics, pure mathematics, or statistics, and must be of such quality as to be publishable in an appropriate professional journal.

Final Examination
A final public oral examination devoted to the defense and evaluation of the dissertation is administered after the dissertation has been approved by the dissertation committee.

Financial Support
Fellowships and assistantships are available for students seeking a Ph.D. or M.S. degree. Stipends per fiscal year are $17,000 for a Board of Regents Fellowship and $12,000 for a University Fellowship. Both are generally renewable for four years. The Department also awards assistantships of up to $13,500 per academic year. In addition, all fellows and assistants receive a waiver of tuition and almost all fees; and fellows have priority for low-cost university housing. Summer support is generally available. Information can be obtained from the department's graduate coordinator.