UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

College of Letters and Science

Mathematical Sciences

• Web Home Pages:
  • College of Letters and Science
  • Mathematical Sciences

• Actuarial Science Major
• Atmospheric Science Major
• Mathematics Major
• Atmospheric Science Minor
• Mathematics Minor
• Applied Mathematics and Physics
• Courses: Atmospheric Sciences 190
• Courses: Mathematics (MATH)
• Courses: Mathematical Statistics (MTHSTAT)
• Faculty

Mathematics is the international language of science and technology. Much of the subject matter in engineering and the natural sciences, as well as some social sciences such as economics, is presented in mathematical terms. Mathematical and statistical techniques are vital in fields usually not considered mathematical, such as biology, psychology, and political science.

Some students come to mathematical sciences with the intention of teaching in high school or college or pursuing research in mathematics. Some are attracted to mathematics for its own sake, for the beauty, discipline, logic, and problem solving challenges. Other students pursue mathematics in order to achieve deeper understanding in their own areas of study.

Actuarial science is the mathematical analysis of problems in economics, finance, and insurance. It requires knowledge of statistics, probability, and interest theory and how they relate to financial issues.

Applied mathematics is a discipline using mathematical analysis to solve problems coming from outside the field of mathematics.

Atmospheric science is the study of short-term weather and long-term climate, involving activities such as weather forecasting and analysis and air pollution meteorology. It uses advanced methods in statistics and numerical modeling.

Computational mathematics is closely related to applied mathematics. It emphasizes techniques of scientific computing and other computational analysis.

Pure mathematics emphasizes the theory and structure underlying all areas of mathematics.

Statistics is a field of mathematics that provides strategies and tools for using data to gain insight into real world and experimental problems.

A major in mathematical sciences allows students to design, in conjunction with an advisor, a personalized program to fit individual interests and talents. Students may major in actuarial science, atmospheric science, or mathematics.

The basic mathematics major has been designed for students who are completing a double major. For this reason, flexibility is offered; students should find it relatively easy to combine the requirements of the mathematics major with the mathematical requirements or electives of other programs.

Students may specialize in any of four particularly significant areas– applied mathematics, computational mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics. Completing a specialization gives a student expertise that is indicated on the transcript and that will be helpful in seeking employment or gaining admission to graduate school.

Students of the sciences, engineering, computer science, economics, and business often complete a significant number of mathematical sciences credits. These students are encouraged to take a mathematics major or minor, which adds an official recognition of important analytical skills valued by employers and graduate schools.

Students interested in teaching mathematics at the K-12 level should consult the School of Education section of this catalog.

Please visit the departmental Web page at http://www.math.uwm.edu and follow the links to the undergraduate program.

Curricular Areas in Mathematical Sciences

Students should note that there are three curricular areas and corresponding abbreviations in the Department of Mathematical Sciences: Atmospheric Science (Atm Sci), Mathematics (Math), and Mathematical Statistics (MthStat).

Course of Study: Majors

Students considering a major in the Department of Mathematical Sciences need to come to the department to declare their major and be assigned an advisor. All courses selected for the major must be approved by the advisor, and students should check regularly with their advisors to plan their courses of study in a coherent and timely fashion.

Preparatory Curriculum. Students in all majors in the Department of Mathematical Sciences must complete Math 231, 232, and 233 (or equivalent). Math 225 and 226 are equivalent to Math 231; Math 221 and 222 are equivalent to Math 231, 232, and 233. Students majoring in actuarial science or mathematics must have a GPA of at least 2.5 in these courses. All majors must take either Math 234 or 240, as well as a course in computer programming in a modern, high-level language. The department also recommends strongly one year of calculus-based physics. Actuarial science and atmospheric science majors must complete additional preparatory curricula, as indicated below.

Capstone Experience. Students in all majors and major options in the Department of Mathematical Sciences must complete either Atm Sci 599 or Math 599, "Capstone Experience." The aim of the department’s capstone experience is to encourage independent learning. Students complete a research paper in the context of this course, which satisfies the L&S research requirement. Students must obtain consent of a professor to enroll in Atm Sci 599 or Math 599.

Actuarial Science Major

The actuarial science major is an interdisciplinary program intended to prepare students for professional examinations and employment as actuaries. Students must complete the courses listed below, including at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work.

Additional Preparatory Curriculum

Core Curriculum

The following coursework is required:

Recommendations for Actuarial Science Students. To achieve the best preparation for the actuarial examinations, students should take more than the minimum number of credits from the above list. Students are encouraged strongly to take two courses in communication to prepare for an actuarial career. Commun 103, 262, and/or 264 are recommended. Some of the required and recommended course work will satisfy portions of the Letters and Science distribution requirements. Econ 103 and 104 satisfy 6 credits of the social science requirement; Econ 248 (Economics of Discrimination) satisfies the cultural diversity requirement; the recommended communication courses count toward the humanities requirement.

Students may find information regarding the actuarial profession by checking the web pages of the Department of Mathematical Sciences or those of the Society of Actuaries (www.soa.org).

Atmospheric Science Major

The atmospheric science division of the department offers courses designed to prepare students for professional work in meteorology in both government and private service and for graduate study in atmospheric sciences. Students must complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work. The following courses are required for the atmospheric science major.

Additional Preparatory Curriculum. In addition to the preparatory curriculum required of all mathematical sciences majors, the following courses are required. These courses do not count in calculating the major GPA.

Required Courses (Core)

Electives - at least 9 credits from the following courses:

Mathematics Major

Upper-division math refers to any Math or MthStat course at the 300 level or above. Sequence refers to any of the following pairs of courses: 313/314, 320/322, 361/362, 413/414, 521/522, 531/535, 621/622, 631/632.

Many courses fall naturally into groups:

Applied mathematics group: Math 307, 320, 321, 322, 371, 405, 431, 520, 525, 581, 623.

Computational mathematics group: Math 313, 314, 413, 414, 416.

Probability and statistics group: Math 471, 571; MthStat 361, 362, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 567, 568, 569.

Pure mathematics group:
I. Math 521, 531, 535, 551;
II. Math 451, 453, 511, 522, 529, 537, 553, 555.

Basic Mathematics Major. Students electing the basic mathematics major must complete Math 341(241) and 24 additional upper-division math credits, including at least 3 each from the applied math, computational math, probability and statistics, and pure math I groups. At least one sequence is required among these 24 upper-division math credits. Students must complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work.

Specialization Options

The following four options add a specialty to the basic math major. Students must complete the requirements of the basic math major as stated above as well as the appropriate course requirements for the specialties, as listed below. Completion of any of the specialty options requires at least 30 upper-division math credits, in addition to Math 341.

Applied Mathematics Option. At least 9 credits from the applied math group, 9 from the computational math group, and 6 from the probability and statistics group; two courses from CompSci 151, 201, 252.

Computational Mathematics Option. At least 6 credits from the applied math group, 12 from the computational math group, and 6 from the probability and statistics group; all of CompSci 151, 201, 217, 252, and 535.

Pure Mathematics Option. At least 18 credits from the pure math group, with at least 9 from the pure math I group; CompSci 151 or 201.

Statistics Option. At least 18 credits from the probability and statistics group; two selections from CompSci 151, 201, 252, or MthStat 461/462. Students who choose MthStat must take both courses to count as a single selection.

Preparation for Graduate Work in Mathematical Sciences. It is recommended that students who plan to do graduate work in mathematical sciences complete as many as possible of the following courses: Math 521, 522, 531 and 535 (or 631 and 632), 551, and 623. Many graduate programs require reading knowledge of French, German, or Russian.

Course of Study: Minors

Atmospheric Science Minor. The minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits in atmospheric science. Six of these credits must include Atm Sci 240 and 360. The remaining 12 Atm Sci credits must be at the 300 (upper-division) level or above. Students must complete at least 9 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the minor in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credis in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including transfer work.

Mathematics Minor. Students minoring in mathematics must complete Math 231, 232, and 233 or an equivalent math sequence with a GPA of at least 2.5. They must take 12 credits in mathematical sciences (curricular areas Math and MthStat) courses numbered 300 and above, at least 9 of them in residence at UWM. Math 234 may substitute for 3 of these 12 credits. All courses chosen to complete the 12-credit requirement must be approved by the associate chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Students must complete at least 9 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the minor in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credis in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including transfer work.

Applied Mathematics and Physics

A related degree program is Applied Mathematics and Physics (AMP). It is a very flexible program intended for students to design essentially personalized majors that include a significant math, physics, and engineering component. For further information, please refer to the Special Degree Programs section of the College of Letters and Science in this catalog. Please visit the departmental web page: www.math.uwm.edu.

Faculty

Fredric D. Ancel, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison

James E. Arnold, Jr., Prof., Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Jay H. Beder, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
George Washington University

Allen D. Bell, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Chair
University of Washington

Vytaras Brazauskas, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Texas at Dallas

Karen M. Brucks, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of North Texas
Associate Dean, College of Letters and Science

Dashan Fan, Prof., Ph.D.
Washington University

Runhuan Feng, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Waterloo, Ontario

Daniel Gervini, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Universidad de Buenos Aires

Jugal K. Ghorai, Prof., Ph.D.
Purdue University

Craig R. Guilbault, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Tennessee

Robert L. Hall, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Ingrid Holzner, Sr. Lect. Emerita, M.S.

G. Christopher Hruska, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Cornell University

J. Suzanne Hruska, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Cornell University

Jonathan Kahl, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Michigan

Eric S. Key, Prof., Ph.D., Asst. Chair
Cornell University

Kelly Kaiser Kohlmetz, Lect., M.S.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Sergey Kravtsov, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Florida State University

Vincent Larson, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Istvan G. Lauko, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Texas Tech University

Cheng-Ming Lee, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Tzu-Chu Lin, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Iowa

Gary Luck, Lect., M.S.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wiliam Mandella, Lect., M.S.
University of New Orleans

Kevin B. McLeod, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Minnesota

Genevieve T. Meyer, Instr. Emerita

Richard J. Mihalek, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Albert J. Milani, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Turin

Robert H. Moore, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Ian M. Musson, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Warwick, U.K.

Thomas O’Bryan, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Michigan State University
Assoc. Dean, College of Letters and Science

Richard J. O’Malley, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Boris L. Okun, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
State University of New York at Binghamton

Dattatraya J. Patil, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Gabriella Pinter, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Texas Tech University

Paul Roebber, Prof., Ph.D.
McGill University

David H. Schultz, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Steven Schwengels, Sr. Lect., M.S.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Lindsay A. Skinner, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Donald W. Solomon, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Wayne State University

Richard Stockbridge, Prof., Ph.D., Grad. Coord.
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Lijing Sun, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Wayne State University

Kyle Swanson, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Chicago

Anastasios Tsonis, UWM Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
McGill University

Hans W. Volkmer, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Konstanz

Bruce A. Wade, Prof., Ph.D., Assoc. Chair
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Gilbert G. Walter, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Jeb Willenbring, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of California at San Diego

Dexuan Xie, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Houston

Chao Zhu, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Wayne State University

Yi Ming Zou, Prof., Ph.D.
Indiana University