Portland-State-University 2025-2026 Bulletin

Mathematics B.A./B.S.

The degree program requires a basic core of courses (44 credits) and elective courses (18-21 credits). This structure gives flexibility to the program that allows students to pursue special areas of interest in mathematics. The program is designed to provide a foundation for more advanced work and/or a basis for employment in business, government, industry, or secondary education.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the general University degree requirements, the major in mathematics must complete the following requirements:

Courses

Mth 251ZDifferential Calculus

4
Mth 252ZIntegral Calculus

4
Mth 253ZCalculus: Sequences and Series

4
Mth 261Introduction to Linear Algebra

4
Mth 254Calculus IV

4
Mth 255Calculus V

4
Mth 256Applied Ordinary Differential Equations

4
CS 161Introduction to Programming and Problem-Solving

4
  
Mth 311Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I

4
Mth 312Introduction to Mathematical Analysis II

4
Mth 344Introduction to Group Theory and Applications

4

Additional Requirements chosen from Approved List of courses-sequences

Mth/Stat (one)Approved two-term 400-level Mth or Stat sequence

6
Mth/Stat (two)Approved 400-level Mth or Stat courses

6-7
Mth/Stat (two)Approved 300- or 400-level Mth or Stat courses

6-8
Total Credit Hours:  62-65

Approved electives are:

Mth 300Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning

4
Mth 313Advanced Multivariate Calculus

4
Mth 322Applied Partial Differential Equations

4
Mth 324Vector Analysis

4
Mth 338Modern College Geometry

4
Mth 343Applied Linear Algebra

4
Mth 345Introduction to Ring and Field Theory

4
Mth 346Number Theory

4
Mth 356Discrete Mathematics

4
Mth 371Large-Scale Data Algorithms

4
Mth 411Introduction to Real Analysis I

3
Mth 412Introduction to Real Analysis II

3
Mth 413Introduction to Real Analysis III

3
Mth 420Introduction to Complexity Theory

3
Mth 421Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I

3
Mth 422Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II

3
Mth 423Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations III

3
Mth 424Elementary Differential Geometry I

3
Mth 425Elementary Differential Geometry II

3
Mth 427Partial Differential Equations I

3
Mth 428Partial Differential Equations II

3
Mth 430Topics in Mathematical Modeling

3
Mth 434Set Theory and Topology I

3
Mth 435Set Theory and Topology II

3
Mth 436Set Theory and Topology III

3
Mth 441Introduction to Abstract Algebra I

3
Mth 442Introduction to Abstract Algebra II

3
Mth 443Introduction to Abstract Algebra III

3
Mth 444Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra I

3
Mth 445Advanced Linear/Multilinear Algebra II

3
Mth 449Topics in Advanced Number Theory

3
Mth 451Numerical Calculus I

3
Mth 452Numerical Calculus II

3
Mth 453Numerical Calculus III

3
Mth 456Topics in Combinatorics

3
Mth 457The Mathematical Theory of Games I

3
Mth 458The Mathematical Theory of Games II

3
Mth 461Graph Theory I

3
Mth 462Graph Theory II

3
Mth 464Numerical Optimization I

3
Mth 465Numerical Optimization II

3
Mth 470Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I

3
Mth 471Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems II

3
Mth 477Mathematical Control Theory I

3
Mth 478Mathematical Control Theory II

3
Mth 481Foundations for Teaching Introductory Probability

4
Mth 482Foundations for Teaching Introductory Statistics

4
Mth 485Precalculus, Differential Calculus, and Analysis Connections for Teachers

4
Mth 486Topics in The History of Mathematics

3
Mth 487Precalculus, Integral Calculus, and Analysis Connections for Teachers

4
Mth 488Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers

3
Stat 361Introduction to Statistical Methods

4
Stat 363Statistical Computing and Data Visualization in R

4
Stat 364Modern Regression Analysis

4
Stat 387Introduction to Statistical Learning

4
Stat 451Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I

4
Stat 452Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II

3
Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3
Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3
Stat 463Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III

3
Stat 464Applied Regression Analysis

3
Stat 465Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I

3
Stat 466Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II

3
Stat 467Applied Probability I

3
Stat 468Applied Probability II

3

Check with the department for the list of approved Mth or Stat sequences and for additional courses, including omnibus-numbered courses, which may be approved as electives.

All courses used to satisfy the mathematical major requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C-, P, or above, but no more than 4 courses graded P will count toward these requirements. Transfer students majoring in mathematics are required to take a minimum of 15 credits of PSU upper-division mathematics or statistics courses in residence.

Mathematics B.A./B.S. Options

In addition to the specific required courses, the following options are intended to help the student plan a program of study with a specific goal or career in mind.

Option I—Applied Mathematics

Recommended electives:

Mth 322Applied Partial Differential Equations

4
Mth 343Applied Linear Algebra

4
Mth 371Large-Scale Data Algorithms

4
Mth 421Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations I

3
Mth 422Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations II

3
Mth 424Elementary Differential Geometry I

3
Mth 425Elementary Differential Geometry II

3
Mth 427Partial Differential Equations I

3
Mth 428Partial Differential Equations II

3
Mth 430Topics in Mathematical Modeling

3
Mth 451Numerical Calculus I

3
Mth 452Numerical Calculus II

3
Mth 457The Mathematical Theory of Games I

3
Mth 458The Mathematical Theory of Games II

3
Mth 464Numerical Optimization I

3
Mth 465Numerical Optimization II

3
Mth 470Complex Analysis and Boundary Value Problems I

3
Mth 477Mathematical Control Theory I

3
Mth 478Mathematical Control Theory II

3

Option II—Graduate School Preparation

Recommended electives:

Mth 411Introduction to Real Analysis I

3
Mth 412Introduction to Real Analysis II

3
Mth 413Introduction to Real Analysis III

3
Mth 434Set Theory and Topology I

3
Mth 435Set Theory and Topology II

3
Mth 436Set Theory and Topology III

3
Mth 441Introduction to Abstract Algebra I

3
Mth 442Introduction to Abstract Algebra II

3
Mth 443Introduction to Abstract Algebra III

3

Option III—Statistics

Recommended electives:

Stat 361Introduction to Statistical Methods

4
Stat 363Statistical Computing and Data Visualization in R

4
Stat 364Modern Regression Analysis

4
Stat 387Introduction to Statistical Learning

4
Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3
Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3
Stat 463Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III

3
Stat 464Applied Regression Analysis

3
Stat 465Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I

3
Stat 466Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II

3
Stat 467Applied Probability I

3
Stat 468Applied Probability II

3

Option IV—High School Teaching

Recommended electives:

Mth 338Modern College Geometry

4
Mth 346Number Theory

4
Mth 356Discrete Mathematics

4
Mth 486Topics in The History of Mathematics

3
Mth 488Topics in Computing for Mathematics Teachers

3
Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3
Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3

Option V—Actuarial Science

Recommended electives:

Mth 451Numerical Calculus I

3
Mth 452Numerical Calculus II

3
Stat 451Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I

4
Stat 461Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

3
Stat 462Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

3
Stat 463Introduction to Mathematical Statistics III

3
Stat 464Applied Regression Analysis

3
Stat 465Experimental Design: Theory and Methods I

3
Stat 466Experimental Design: Theory and Methods II

3
Stat 467Applied Probability I

3
Stat 468Applied Probability II

3

Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track

The Honors Track in Mathematics and Statistics offers an opportunity for outstanding mathematics majors to engage in independent research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students who successfully complete the honors track will receive notice of this distinction on their academic transcripts and on their diplomas.

The requirements for admission to the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track are:

  1. Completion of 12 credits in the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 4 of which should be at a 300-level or above;
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 points and a minimum GPA of 3.67 points in the mathematics major;
  3. A complete application form submitted to the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics no later than three quarters before graduation.

Requirements

The Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track requirements for graduation are:

Courses

Mth 251ZDifferential Calculus

4
Mth 252ZIntegral Calculus

4
Mth 253ZCalculus: Sequences and Series

4
Mth 254Calculus IV

4
Mth 255Calculus V

4
Mth 261Introduction to Linear Algebra

4
Mth 256Applied Ordinary Differential Equations

4
Mth 311Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I

4
Mth 312Introduction to Mathematical Analysis II

4
Mth 344Introduction to Group Theory and Applications

4
Mth 401Honors Project

3
CS 161Introduction to Programming and Problem-Solving

4

Additional Requirements chosen from Approved List of courses-sequences

Mth/Stat (two)Approved 400-level sequences

12
Mth/Stat (one)Approved 300- or 400-level elective course

3-4

The undergraduate adviser, in consultation with faculty, will assign the students a faculty honors project adviser to guide their research. The research topic will be at a 400-level or above and will not have been discussed or presented in courses the students have taken. Concluding the work, the students will give an oral presentation of the honors project to faculty and students.

Students must have a cumulative GPA no lower than 3.5 points and a GPA no lower than 3.67 points in the major.

No mathematics or statistics courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option are acceptable towards fulfilling the requirements for the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track. Transfer students majoring in mathematics are required to take a minimum of 15 credits of PSU upper-division mathematics or statistics courses in residence.

The department chair and an undergraduate adviser will monitor the progress of the students accepted in the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track. If this progress and/or performance are found to be unsatisfactory and if corrective actions cannot be identified, the students will be dropped from the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track (the students may opt out to pursue a regular mathematics major or to select another major).