Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics provides students with opportunities to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. An Honors program is offered in the mathematics discipline. A minor is also available in mathematics. A degree in engineering is available through Lander University’s dual-degree program with Clemson University. Students who complete this dual-degree program will receive a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Clemson University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Lander University.
The Department’s webpage contains information about the individual programs of study, scholarships available for students majoring in mathematics, and a link to an on-line application for these scholarships (https://www.lander.edu/admissions/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships/departmental-scholarships.html).
Engineering Dual-Degree Program
Students who wish to combine study in mathematics with a liberal arts program with further study in an engineering discipline may do so under the Lander University-Clemson University Engineering Dual-Degree Program. Students who complete this program will gain the unique advantage of dividing their academic journey between the personalized liberal arts environment of a small university campus and the cutting-edge, technically focused atmosphere of a large engineering university. This distinctive combination offers exceptional preparation in engineering, enriched by a robust foundation in the humanities and social sciences. Additionally, the program integrates a strong emphasis on mathematics, equipping students with the analytical and problem-solving skills essential for excelling in both engineering and interdisciplinary fields.
This program can be applied to the following engineering disciplines at Clemson: civil, computer, electrical, industrial, mechanical, or automotive.
Students apply for admission to Clemson during their third academic year at Lander University. Acceptance into the Clemson engineering program is at the discretion of that university. Clemson recommends that prospective students enroll in a summer school session at Clemson following their sophomore or junior year at Lander.
A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses applied to the dual-degree program and in all courses that must transfer to Clemson University.
Dual-degree engineering majors enter Clemson University at a level competitive with students already at that university. Successful completion of the program will result in the student being awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science degree in their major from Lander University.
Students will have competency in the following areas prior to leaving for Clemson University:
A. MATHEMATICS/ENGINEERING DUAL DEGREE
The Foundations of Mathematics. This includes first and foremost a firm grounding in the major concepts of mathematics needed for continued learning in the field of engineering. Students must learn to analyze a given situation, extract the pertinent facts, and then draw correct conclusions. Specifically included are basic algebraic operations, the elements of set theory, and the fundamentals of logic.
Advanced Algebra. This includes knowledge of the basic constructs of linear algebra with possible further study in abstract algebra.
Analysis. This includes both calculus and differential equations. Students must have knowledge of continuity, differentiation, integration, sequences and series, and multivariable calculus. Students must be able to solve the basic differential equations that arise in engineering applications.
Probability and Statistics. This includes the acquisition and analysis of data, probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, estimation using confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses, and linear regression.
Mathematics Major
Mathematics is fundamental to both the theoretical and the practical problem-solving components of virtually every field of study. The goal of the mathematics major at Lander University is to provide students with the opportunity and the direction to enjoy the intellectual challenges of mathematics and to develop the communication skills and the mathematical knowledge necessary to function competently in graduate school and/or in employment in a variety of fields that require strong mathematical expertise. A successful graduate with a mathematics major will have specific competency in:
1. The Foundations of Mathematics. This includes first and foremost a firm grounding in the major concepts and applications of mathematics needed for successful continued learning in the field. Students must learn to analyze a given situation, extract the pertinent facts, and then draw correct conclusions. Specifically included are basic algebraic operations, the elements of set theory, and the fundamentals of logic.
2. Advanced Algebra. This includes the fields of linear and abstract algebra. Specifically, the student must know the basic concepts and applications in these fields, including a basic understanding of groups, rings, fields, and vector spaces.
3. Analysis. This includes calculus and at least one of the fields of real or complex analysis. Students must know the basic concepts and applications of continuity, differentiation, integration, sequences and series, and multivariable calculus. Additionally, all students will be able to solve the basic differential equations that arise in common applications.
4. Probability and Statistics. This includes the basic concepts and applications of acquisition and analysis of data, probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, estimation using confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses, and linear regression.
The requirements for a degree in mathematics are as follows: twelve hours of calculus (MATH 141, 142, and 241), differential equations (MATH 242), linear algebra (MATH 308), probability and statistics (MATH 311), abstract algebra (MATH 421), real analysis (MATH 431), an introduction to Mathematical Proof (MATH 134), the capstone course (MATH 499), calculus-based physics (PHYS 211), CIS 130, completion of either the abstract algebra or analysis sequence (MATH 422 or MATH 432), nine hours of mathematics content electives at the 300 level or above (except MATH 450 and MATH 451), plus one of the following CIS 230, PHYS 212, MATH 212, or an additional three hours of mathematics content electives at the 300 level or above (except MATH 450 and MATH 451). Students obtaining secondary teacher certification are required to take courses in discrete mathematics, mathematics history, geometry, teaching technologies and teaching methods (MATH 325, MATH 350, MATH 351, MATH 450 and MATH 451, respectively).
A grade of “C” or better is required in all mathematics courses applied to the major with the following exception: a grade of “D” or “D+” will be allowed in at most one mathematics course provided a GPA of 2.0 is maintained in mathematics courses applied to the major.
During their final year at Lander University, all students seeking a degree in mathematics are required to participate in program assessment activities including an assessment exam in mathematics and an exit interview with the mathematics faculty as part of the capstone course.
Mathematics, Secondary Teacher Certification
Students enrolled in Secondary (History, English, Chemistry, Mathematics) or PK-12 (PE, Art, Music):
Provisional Status
1. Always demonstrate professional behaviors and dispositions*.
2. Maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA on Lander coursework; achieve a grade of “B” or higher in each field experience; achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all EDUC, ECED, MONT, and SPED courses (see catalog for further details, including each department’s GPA requirements within the specific content area).
3. Pass ALL 3 sections of Praxis Core or have exempting SAT/ACT scores on file at Lander University and confirmed by the Department of Teacher Education.
4. Successfully complete other reviews as required by departments in specific content areas.
5. Apply for admission to the professional program in teacher education (see Department of Teacher Education section of catalog for requirements).
Candidate Status
1. Enter candidacy with formal admission to the professional program in teacher education.
2. Always demonstrate professional behaviors and dispositions*.
3. Maintain a 2.75 GPA on Lander coursework; achieve a grade of “B” or higher in each field experience; achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all EDUC, ECED, MONT, and SPED courses (see catalog for further details, including each department’s GPA requirements within the specific content area).
4. Take the Praxis II prior to the student teaching semester**
5. Take the PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) by the end of the student teaching semester **
6. Successfully complete other departmental requirements, reviews, projects, or milestones.
Students not meeting one or more of the requirements will not progress to Candidate Status.
*Lander University has high expectations for all teacher education majors. Teacher education majors who exhibit unacceptable dispositions may be removed from the program. Procedures for removal are outlined within the Department of Teacher Education handbook.
**Praxis II and PLT must be passed to apply for certification with the South Carolina Department of Education.
The following mathematics courses will be offered as indicated.
Mathematics Honors Program
Students majoring in mathematics may earn a “BS Degree with Honors” in mathematics. To qualify, a student must meet the following conditions:
1. In addition to the normal course requirements for a BS degree in mathematics, the student must complete the following courses:
MATH 432, MATH 422, with a total of 30 credits of coursework in mathematics at the 300-level or above.
2. The student must complete six credit hours of a college level language. This language may not be English or the student’s native language.
3. The student must submit a project proposal no later than January 15 of the junior year. The proposal must be approved by a majority of the full-time mathematics faculty and result in a finished product of sufficient quality to:
a) Receive a grade of “A” or “B” (MATH 390) and
b) Be accepted for publication or presented at a meeting of a mathematical society; or be presented as a seminar to mathematics faculty, students, and guests.
4. Upon graduation, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in both overall coursework and in mathematics coursework.
NOTE: In lieu of requirement 1 above, the student may complete an engineering degree at Clemson University under the engineering/mathematics dual-degree program. The student may then substitute an approved engineering project at Clemson for requirement 3 above.
Special situations may require a deviation from these requirements (such as for students seeking teacher certification in mathematics or those in the engineering program). All deviations must be approved by a majority of the mathematics faculty.
Transfer students who wish to pursue an Honors Program in Mathematics must spend at least four full-time semesters (fall or spring) at Lander University and complete at least 21 credit hours of mathematics courses at Lander University. They must also have an overall GPA of 3.5 on all courses transferred and a GPA of 3.5 on mathematics courses transferred.
Mathematics Minor
A minor in mathematics consists of 21 credit hours distributed as follows:
- Twelve hours of Calculus (MATH 141, MATH 142, and MATH 241),
- Nine hours from the following: MATH 212, MATH 242, or any three-hour 300- or 400-level mathematics content course.
A grade of “C” or better is required in each course applied to the mathematics minor.