The best way to describe the mathematics program at Eckerd College is by using the word 'flexible.' In addition to service courses in calculus and statistics, we offer a variety of courses in both pure and applied mathematics and many of our courses are sequenced so that the knowledge gained in one reinforces the learning in another. You will find that this gives you a great deal of flexibility in your studies because you will be the one who will choose whether to emphasize the theoretical, the applied or a combination of both. At Eckerd, each student majoring in mathematics has a truly unique graduation plan.
The requirements for the mathematics major are:
- completion of MA 233M Calculus III.
- completion of MA 410 Mathematics Seminar.
- completion of MA 498 Comprehensive Exam or MA 499 Senior Thesis with a final grade of C- or better.
- completion of eight additional mathematics courses numbered above MA 233M.
- completion of five additional science or mathematics courses for a B.S. degree or one additional science or mathematics course for a B.A. degree.
Because this major is not prescriptive (essentially any math courses), you will find that there is ample room in your schedule to double-major with another field: biology, physics, computer science, economics, psychology, visual art, marine science and creative writing have all been popular choices the last several years.
Most students take no more than two math courses a semester and a typical four-year plan is:
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
1st Year:
Calculus I
Calculus II
2nd Year:
Calculus III
Differential Equations
3rd Year:
Two math courses + Math seminar
Two math courses + Math seminar
4th year:
Two math courses + Math seminar
Two math courses + Math seminar
Many mathematics majors also complete a minor in either Computer Science (five CS courses) or Computational Science (three CS courses + three math courses you are already using to fulfill the requirements of your mathematics major).