The General Option and the Systems Analysis Option of the B.S. Degree in Mathematics both include a 12-credit sequence in an area of application. For the General Option these 12 credits can be in mathematics, in a related area, or in an area of application. For the Systems Analysis Option the sequence of courses should be in an area of application. The courses chosen should form a coherent pattern and should include one or two 400-level courses. This sequence of courses must be approved by the student's advisor.

In the Systems Analysis Option, students prepare to apply mathematics to solving problems in specific areas outside mathematics. This means that they must learn both the mathematics relevant to those areas and at least enough of the area of application to be able to communicate with the experts in that field. The following is a partial list of application areas and potential course sequences for either the General Option or the Systems Analysis Option.

Biology: For students who choose biology as their application area, the following course sequences provide background in biodiversity, populations and communities, genetics, molecules and cells, evolution, and histology.

• BIOL 110, 220, 230, 427
• BIOL 110, 222, 223, 230, 437

Biochemistry: For students who choose biochemistry as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in organic chemistry, molecules and cells, and the structure and function of biological molecules.

• CHEM 38, CHEM 39, BIOL 230, BMB 401, BMB 402

Chemistry: For students who choose chemistry as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and chemical thermodynamics.

• CHEM 038, 410, 451, 452

Criminal Justice: For students who choose criminal justice as their application area, the following course sequences provide background in law enforcement, prosecution process, community corrections, and juvenile justice and delinquency.

• CJ 210, 220, 230, 430 or 450 or 460
• CJ 210, 230, 430, 460

Economics: For students who choose economics as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance, money and banking, optimal resource allocation, alternative control procedures, levels of environmental protection and public policy.

• ECON 002, 004, 302, 351, 428

Electro-Mechanical Engineering: For students who choose electro-mechanical engineering as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in electrical circuits, microprocessors, digital electronics, and automated machine control technology.

• EET 101, EET 114, EET 211, EMET 310, EMET 430

Finance: For students who choose finance as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in insurance, corporation finance, investment strategies, the valuation of corporate securities, tax regulations, and tax planning applicable for personal/business decision making.

• INS 301, FIN 301, FINSV 400, FINSV 411

Health Policy and Administration: For students who choose health policy and administration as their application area, the following course sequences provide background in health services organization, insurance, health systems management, financing health care, and marketing for health services.

• HPA 101, INS 301, HPA 332, HPA 447
• HPA 101, MKTG 220, HPA 332, HPA 455

Human Development and Family Studies: For students who choose human development and family studies as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in empirical inquiry in human development, leadership and technology skills for human services professionals, and program development and administration of human service programs. The additional recommended courses focus on particular content areas: infants/children, adolescents, adult development, and family development.

• HDFS 129, 302A, 312W, 455
• Additional courses: HDFS 229, 429, or HDFS 239, 433, or HDFS 249, 445, or HDFS 218, 418

Marketing: For students who choose marketing as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in customer behavior, channels of distribution, promotion and pricing with emphasis on a culturally diverse environment, public relations, and the management of marketing institutions in distribution channels from producers to consumers.

• BA 250, MKTG 220, MKTG 301, MKTG 310, MKTG 327

Physics: For students who choose physics as their application area, the following course sequence provides background in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, fluids and thermal physics, wave motion and quantum physics, quantum mechanics, and solid state physics.

• PHYS 213, 214, 237, 410, 412

Copyright © 2006 Prasanta Basak, Penn State Altoona Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics 149 LRC, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601 Phone: (814) 949-5270; Fax: (814) 949-5456

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Questions regarding the information contained on this page should be addressed to Dr. Mike Weiner(Mathematics Coordinator) or Dr. Pinaki Das (Mathematics Degree Coordinator).