The study of mathematics introduces students to mathematical abstraction as well as how mathematics can be used to solve practical problems. Many courses in this discipline provide the basic foundations necessary to support study in all majors. Whenever possible, mathematics courses introduce concepts using applications, analytical solutions (equation solving), numerical approximations, and graphical interpretations.
A special feature of Marymount's mathematics program is the fall seminar series. Faculty members and students meet for one hour each week to hear presentations by professional mathematicians about their career paths. Students also give short presentations on mathematical topics of interest.
Beyond regular coursework, students have collaborated with several faculty members on joint research projects, most notably in mathematics education and in computational biology. Faculty and students regularly present their research findings at national conferences.
Marymount’s mathematics program prepares students for immediate careers in the field as well as for graduate study. Computation and modeling are intentionally infused into the major so students are ready for jobs that require strong technical abilities. Marymount mathematics majors can also earn licensure to teach middle school or high school mathematics.
After meeting the Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements, mathematics majors have 21 to 26 elective credit hours. Students are encouraged to apply those credits toward other options, such as teaching licensure in secondary mathematics or a minor or second major in biology, economics, or information technology. Mathematics majors are also eligible to participate in the five-year B.S./M.S. in information technology program. (See Information Technology, Combined B.S./M.S. Program for further information.)
Degree Requirements — Mathematics
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Mathematics majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: MA 420 Abstract Algebra, MA 425 Introduction to Real Analysis, and one additional WI course from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective. Majors that do not take BIO 151L must also complete the GP requirement from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
MA 181, MA 200: Students may complete either MA 181 or the MA 171 and MA 172 sequence, which is the equivalent of MA 181, during the first year. Also, MA 181 and MA 200 can be waived with appropriate AP credit. Students should take noted courses in a sequence specified by an advisor and, upon successful completion, may not subsequently register for a lower-numbered course in the calculus sequence.
MA 210, MA 309, MA 409: Transfer students or new majors who join the program after the fall semester of their sophomore year will take mathematics seminar classes every fall semester, starting with MA 210. Such students may need to make up the credit hours to meet the 120-credit minimum requirement toward graduation.
Sample Degree Plan — Mathematics
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| MA 181 | Calculus I * | 4 |
| CNCT 100 | Connections * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
EN 101: WR core course
MA 181: (MT core course) Not all students should begin with MA 181. Follow placement recommendations and advisor guidance in course selection.
Year One — Spring
Year Two — Fall
| MA 210 | Seminar with Introduction to Proofs through Discrete Math | 3 |
| | | |
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| OR | |
| BIO 151 | General Biology I * | 3 |
| BIO 151L | General Biology I Lab * | 1 |
| | | |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| MA 215 | Linear Algebra and Proof Techniques | 3 |
| MA 221 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| | | |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| OR | |
| BIO 262 | Genetics for Majors * | 3 |
| BIO 262L | Genetics for Majors Lab | 1 |
| | | |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| MA 230 | Scientific Computing | 3 |
| MA 309 | Mathematics Seminar | 1 |
| MA 425 | Introduction to Real Analysis * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| MA 257 | Introduction to Number Theory and Proof Techniques * | 3 |
| MA 418 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Four — Fall
| MA 325 | Differential Equations * | 3 |
| | |
| MA 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| OR | |
| MA 433 | Research * | 1 |
| | |
| MA 409 | Mathematics Seminar | 1 |
| MA 420 | Abstract Algebra * | 3 |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed * | 3 |
Year Four — Spring
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - 3rd WI course if not already completed * | |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Sample Degree Plan - Marymount University Mathematics (B.S.) and UND Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Marymount University has an agreement with the University of North Dakota for students to earn both a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota and a degree in Mathematics from Marymount University. Students fulfill all requirements for both degrees while maintaining full-time status at Marymount University and enrolling in online courses at the University of North Dakota. Tuition each semester is due to Marymount University. This tuition covers Marymount courses as well as University of North Dakota courses. University of North Dakota courses are delivered online during the academic year. Students are required to complete three laboratory courses during two summers at the University of North Dakota. Interested students should work with their academic advisor at the beginning of their academic career to understand the full requirements of both programs. The advisor will guide the student through the application process and subsequent registrations. Application to the University of North Dakota occurs early during the fall semester of the first year. For more information and details, please see Marymount University Partnership with University of North Dakota Engineering.
Please note that this is a sample plan and requires 5 years; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections. Some courses are offered only every other year, and this plan assumes beginning in the fall of an odd year, but the program can be completed beginning any year.
Year One - Fall
CHM 151: NS core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
CHM 151L: NS lab core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
EN 101: WR core course
MA 181: MT core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering (Not all students should begin with MA 181. Follow placement recommendations and advisor guidance in course selection.)
TRS 100: TRS-1 core course
Year One - Spring
| MA 200 | Calculus II * | 3 |
| MA 218 | Probability and Statistics * | 3 |
| IT 130 | Java Programming | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| ME 101+ | Introduction to Mechanical Engineering | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
EN 102: WR core course
PH 100: PH-1 core course
MA 200: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
MA 218: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 101: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Two - Fall
| MA 210 | Seminar with Introduction to Proofs through Discrete Math | 3 |
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| SOC 131 | Principles of Sociology in Global Perspective * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) core course * | 3 |
| ENGR 200+ | Computer Applications in Engineering | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
PHYS 271: Second NS core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
PHYS 271: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
SOC-131: GP; SS-1 core course
ENGR 200: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Two - Spring
| MA 221 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MA 215 | Linear Algebra and Proof Techniques | 3 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| ENGR 201+ | Statics | 3 |
| ME 201C+ | Student Design Lecture | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
MA 221: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
PHYS 272 and PHYS 272L: Fulfill a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 201: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 201C: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Two - Summer
| ME 201C+ | Student Design Lecture | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
ME 201C: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Three - Fall
| MA 230 | Scientific Computing | 3 |
| MA 309 | Mathematics Seminar | 1 |
| MA 425 | Introduction to Real Analysis * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
| ENGR 202+ | Dynamics | 3 |
| ME 341+ | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MA 425 | Introduction to Real Analysis * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
MA 425: DSINQ and WI core course
ENGR 202: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 341: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Three - Spring
| MA 257 | Introduction to Number Theory and Proof Techniques * | 3 |
| MA 418 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| ENGR 203+ | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| ENGR 206+ | Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 460+ | Engineering Economy | 3 |
| ME 322+ | Design of Machinery | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
MA 257: DSINQ course
MA 418: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 203: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 206: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 460: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 322: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Four - Fall
MA 420: DSINQ and WI course
MATH 266 transfers as MA 325: DSINQ course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 301: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 306: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Tech Elective: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Four - Spring
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course in second discipline | 3 |
| ME 323+ | Machine Component Design | 3 |
| ME 323L+ | Machine Component Design Lab | 1 |
| ME 418+ | Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| ME 474+ | Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
ME 323 and 323L: Fulfill a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 418: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 474: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Four - Summer
| ME 418L++ | Manufacturing Processes Lab | 1 |
| ME 483++ | Mechanical Measurements Lab | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
ME 418L: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 483: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Five - Fall
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| MA 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| ME 480+ | Mechanical Engineering Seminar | 3 |
| ME 487+ | Engineering Design | 2 |
| Tech Elec+ | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Tech Elec+ | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
MA 400: EXP course
ME 480: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 487: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Tech Elective: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Five - Spring
| | Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| ME 487+ | Engineering Design | 3 |
| Tech Elec+ | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Tech Elec+ | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Tech Elec+ | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
PH: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 488: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Tech Elective: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Courses marked with + are completed online through UND.
Courses marked with ++ are completed in person at UND.