The Department of Mathematics & Statistics offers students numerous opportunities to develop quantitative reasoning, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills through its curriculum and extracurricular activities. The department offers a variety of math and stats courses so students can take the courses that meet their career objectives, their intellectual curiosity, and their major/minor or foundation requirements, no matter what major they pursue.

The Department of Mathematics & Statistics supports majors in Mathematics, Biomathematics, Mathematics & Economics, and Data Analytics, and minors in Mathematics and Statistics.

Honors in Mathematics involves undertaking a capstone research project that demonstrates a significant level of mathematical independence. Honors projects require intensive and independent work in both semesters of the Senior year, during which Honors students register for 4-8 credits in the Math Honors Tutorial (MATH 495/496) each semester. To be eligible to pursue Honors in Mathematics, students must have a minimum 3.50 cumulative and major GPA at the time of application for honors.

Students intending to pursue Honors in Mathematics must declare their intention in their Thesis Proposal as a part of Junior Seminar (MATH 386) in which point they will also identify an Honors Thesis Committee of three faculty members (to be approved by the Department). In August of the Senior year, students submit a formal proposal for the Honors project. Once the proposal is approved by the Department and the College, the student is considered an Honors Candidate and may proceed with research in MATH 495. Honors Candidates are exempt from the senior seminar requirement and do not enroll in MATH 485.  

Requirements:

1. Fulfillment of the requirements for the major.
2. Honors Tutorial: 495 and 496.
3. Approval by the Honors Thesis Committee.

Professors

Erin N. Bodine. 2010. B.S. and B.A., Harvey Mudd College; Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (Optimal control theory, mathematical ecology, differential equations, discrete difference equations, individual and agent based modeling)

Christopher Mouron. 2002. Department Chair. B.S., Lafayette College; M.S. and Ph.D., Texas Tech University. (Topology, continuum theory, discrete dynamical systems)

Associate Professors

Ibrahim Abdelrazeq. 2015. B.S., Yarmouk University; M.S., New Mexico State University; Ph.D., University of Ottawa. (Time series analysis, financial and actuarial mathematics, parametric and nonparametric goodness of fit tests)

Eric Gottlieb. 1998. E.C. Ellett Professorship of Mathematics and Computer Science. B.S., Antioch College; M.S., University of Washington; Ph.D., University of Miami. (Algebraic combinatorics)

Assistant Professors

Chathurika Abeykoon. 2023. B.S., University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Ph.D., University of Mississippi. (machine learning, deep learning, neural networks)

Kyle Dempsey. 2023. B.S., Lambuth University; M.S. and Ph.D., University of Memphis. (educational games, distance education, child sexual abuse prevention)

Erika Parr. 2021. B.A., University of Dallas; Ph.D., Arizona State University. (Mathematics education)

Administrative Assistant

Kate Collier-Cissoko. 2022. B.A., Concord University; M.P.A., University of Memphis; M.A., Christian Brothers University

Students considering a major in Mathematics should contact the department chair or another member of the department as early as possible to ensure progress is being made toward the major. 

For reasonable progress toward a major in Mathematics, a student should begin the Calculus sequence (MATH 112, 122, 123, and 223) at the appropriate level in the first year, and complete the sequence before the Spring of the second year; and complete MATH 201 in the first year or second year.

The major requires breadth within mathematics and requires each major to take at least one upper-level course in modeling, in proofs, and in statistics. Students are encouraged to consider which electives they will use to satisfy these breadth requirements and plan ahead accordingly. Please note, there is one modeling course which also satisfies the F2i foundation requirement. 

A total of fifty-one (51) credits as follows:

1. MATH 122, 123, 201, 223, 261
   Note that MATH 123 is a 2 credit course that can be taken concurrently with MATH 122.
    
2. Twenty-eight additional credits of elective courses from among COMP 141 and mathematics courses numbered above 200 including at least four courses numbered above 300 (excluding 460, 495, and 496) with at least one course from each of the following breadth categories (where one course may count for more than one category):
   • Statistics: MATH 211, 212, 305, 311, 335
   • Modeling: MATH 209, 212, 214, 305, 315, 330; COMP 350; ECON 407
   • Proof: MATH 311, 321, 362, 370, 431, 482; COMP 350
3. Capstone Seminar Sequence: one credit of MATH 386, and four credits of 485 and/or 486
   Students may petition to substitute one credit of MATH 451/452 or participation in Research Fellowships/St. Jude Summer Plus program for this requirement if they have engaged in the corresponding research for at least two terms before their junior spring semester. Additionally, students studying abroad during the spring semester of their junior year may petition to substitute one study abroad course for this requirement.

A total of twenty-four (24) credits as follows:

1. MATH 122
2. Five additional four-credit mathematics courses numbered above 200 including at least one course numbered above 300. COMP 350 can be used as a mathematics course numbered above 300.

A total of twenty (20) credits as follows:

1. One course from: MATH 211, PSYC 211, or ECON 290
2. MATH 212
3. Three additional courses from: MATH 244, 305, 307, 311, 312, 330, 331, 333, 335, 344; BUS 472; ECON 420; ENVS 225/URBN 225

Students planning to pursue graduate study in statistics are strongly encouraged to select MATH 311 + 312 from the courses listed above and to additionally take:

• MATH 112, 122, 223, or equivalent three course calculus sequence.
• MATH 201 Transitions to Advanced Mathematics.
• MATH 261 Linear Algebra.
• MATH 321 Real Analysis.

The choice of a first math or statistics course will depend on depend on several factors. We offer a variety of math and stats courses so you can take the courses that meet your career objectives, your intellectual curiosity, and your major/minor or foundation requirements, no matter what major you pursue. Please use the following guidelines, in conversation with your advisor and/or a faculty member from the Math & Stats Department, to help guide your selection.

Selecting an appropriate first calculus course:  Students who have any prior experience with calculus should begin with MATH 122+123 or MATH 211 or MATH 214.  Students should NOT take MATH 112 if they plan to take only one semester of calculus or if they have already seen derivatives in a previous class (they should consider MATH 115 instead). Students who have taken one year of calculus in high school may not earn credit for MATH 112 without permission from the instructor. 

• Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam will earn credit for MATH 112 + 122. Students who have credit for MATH 122 should begin with MATH 123 and either MATH 223, 201, 209, 211, or 214.
• Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam will earn credit for MATH 112 + 122 + 123. Students who have credit for MATH 122 + 123 should begin with either MATH 223, 201, 209, 211, 214, or 251.
• Note that MATH 123 is a 2 credit course that can be taken concurrently with MATH 122, and should be taken prior to taking MATH 251 and a selection of 300-level math courses.

Selecting an appropriate first statistics course: Students should be aware that introductory statistics courses are offered in multiple departments, and students can start with MATH 211, PSYC 211, or ECON 290. The selection of the appropriate introductory statistics course may depend on the major you will pursue. There are 10 majors and minors that allow MATH 211 to satisfy a major requirement. However, students should be aware that Economics majors and Math-Econ majors must take ECON 290, and Psychology majors must take PSYC 211. 

• Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics exam will earn credit for MATH 211. Students who have credit for MATH 211 should begin with MATH 212, especially if they are interested in pursuing the Statistics minor or Data Analytics major.
• Students who have taken a year of statistics courses in high school, should contact the chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics 

Students who have received credit for one or both of the AP calculus or statistics exams and are unsure of which math course to take next should contact the chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.

Other options for first math courses:  Students may wish to start with a non-calculus course as their first college math course. The Department of Mathematics & Statistics offers some great options with no prerequisites:

• MATH 209 (Voting, Fairness, and Power)
• MATH 214 (Discrete Math Modeling with Biological Applications) 

Students interested in a Biomathematics major, an Environmental Sciences major, or an Environmental Studies major are strongly encouraged to consider taking MATH 214 as their first math course.