Knox College

Department of Mathematics

Department Programs

We have two degrees, two majors, and two minors in the department.

Mathematics
BA Major

Mathematics
BS Major

Data Science
BA Major

Mathematics
Minor

Statistics
Minor

Suggested
Coursework

Mathematics Major, B.A.

To be eligible for a major in Mathematics for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, one must successfully complete 11 credits as follows:

• Core courses (6): MATH 152, MATH 185, MATH 205, MATH 210, MATH 231, and MATH 241.
• Electives (4): Four additional courses numbered 175 or higher, with at least one numbered above 300.
• Research Project (1):
Each student must complete a research project leading to a written and oral presentation. This requirement may be fulfilled through MATH 361, MATH 362, MATH 399, or an honors project. In all cases, the project must be certified by the department chair.

Mathematics Major, B.S.

To be eligible for a major in Mathematics for the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, one must successfully complete 15 credits as follows:

• Core courses (8): MATH 152, MATH 185, MATH 205, MATH 210, MATH 230, MATH 231, MATH 241, and MATH 321.
• Electives (4): Four additional courses, with at least one numbered above 300. These electves are to be selected from the following: MATH 211, MATH 215, MATH 217, MATH 225, MATH 313, MATH 322, MATH 325, MATH 331, MATH 332, MATH 333, MATH 341, and MATH 342.
• Programming (1): CS 141 or another programming course approved by the department chair.
• Science (1): One additional course selected from the following list: BIOL 331, CHEM 321, CS 142, PHYS 130 (or any full-credit Physics course numbered above 200).
• Research Project (1):
Each student must complete a research project leading to a written and oral presentation. This requirement may be fulfilled through MATH 361, MATH 362, MATH 399, or an honors project. In all cases, the project must be certified by the department chair.

Data Science Major, B.A.

To be eligible for a major in Data Science, one must successfully complete between 10½ and 12 credits as follows:

• Introduction (4–5): Statistics STAT 200
Computer ScienceCS 141 and CS 142
Integral CalculusMATH 145 or
MATH 151 and MATH 152 (rec)
 
• Core (3): Statistics STAT 223 or STAT 225
Computer Science CS 208 or CS 220
Linear AlgebraMATH 185
• Advanced (3): Statistics MATH/STAT 321
Computer Science CS 317 or CS 320
Data Science CS/STAT 312 or CS/STAT 323
• Research Project (½):
As a capstone project, the program requires a large data analysis project, which may be done in conjunction with a course or as a separate independent study worth ½ or 1 credit. The project must be approved by the program committee and requires a paper and a public presentation. It is recommended that the project focus on a field outside of mathematics, statistics, and computer science to which data science applies.


Note: Students combining a major in Data Science with a major in Mathematics, Computer Science, or Integrative Business and Management may apply no more than three courses to both programs simultaneously. Students majoring in Data Science may not minor in Statistics.

Mathematics Minor

To be eligible for a minor in Mathematics, one must successfully complete five (5) credits as follows:

• Core courses (3): MATH 152, MATH 185, and MATH 205.
• Electives (2): Two additional mathematics courses numbered 175 or higher, with at least one chosen from: MATH 210, MATH 216, MATH 217, MATH 218, MATH 231, or MATH 241.

Statistics Minor

To be eligible for a minor in Statistics, one must successfully complete 5½ credits as follows:

• Elementary Statistics (1): STAT 200 or PSYC 281.
• Differential Calculus (1): MATH 145 or MATH 151.
• Matrix Algebra (1): MATH 185.
• Linear Models (1): STAT 225.
• Research Methods (1): One of PS 230, PSYC 282, ECON 303, BIOL 210, PHYS 241, or MATH 322.
• Research Project (½):
As a capstone project, the Statistics Program requires a data analysis (or a theoretical project) under the supervision of program faculty resulting in a paper and presentation. While the project is usually done under the guise of STAT 250, it may be done as part of an internship or other off-campus experience. In either case, it must be approved by the program faculty.

 

Suggested Coursework

Students should discuss with their advisor about future career arcs. To assist in this discussion, here are our professional recommendations for mathematically-related careers: