Bachelor of Science Applied Mathematics Major (4 years—120 credits)

Regulations effective September 1, 2015.

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics is offered by Athabasca University’s Centre for Science. The focus and philosophy of this major in Applied Mathematics is the fostering of innovative thinking towards the solutions of scientific, environmental, and even sociological issues using mathematical methods, as well as to provide a deeper understanding and alternative perspectives of problems in math-related interdisciplinary fields. Its ultimate goal is to lay a foundation for undergraduate students to acquire research skills which may be applied in real world situations and thereby, contribute to the betterment of society.

The program will provide a four-year (120 credits) degree with a major in Applied Mathematics (45 credits). The program major is specifically designed for students who wish to gain competency in mathematical applications and use the degree for entrance into graduate programs in a variety of fields, or as a stepping stone into the employment market and professions.

This degree program is aligned with the general learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Science degree program. In addition to these general learning outcomes, this program comprises the following specific objectives:

• To foster an understanding of mathematical applications, theory and skills in research and the workplace.
• To present and demonstrate techniques that can be applied to real-world situations.
• To produce integrated thinkers who solve physical and theoretical problems.
• To encourage innovative and creative thinking towards solving scientific, environmental, medical and even sociological issues.

This degree is intended to help students develop a relatively wide range of applied mathematical skills which have direct applications within fields of endeavour such as scientific and medical research, some branches of computing science, finance, engineering, and other math-related disciplines.

Second Undergraduate Degree

Students who hold a recognized first degree and who wish to obtain an AU undergraduate degree in a different subject area, must apply under the second undergraduate degree regulations. These students may transfer in up to 50 per cent (60 credits) into the four-year degree program, based on course work in the first degree that is applicable. Preparatory (100 level) credits cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of a second undergraduate degree.

Program Plans

Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.

Counselling Services offers an assessment website, "Mapping Your Future: Your Career and Athabasca University." Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program. Refer to the English Writing Skills Requirement below.

Program Structure
Total credits in the program	120
Minimum Credits Required
Senior (300/400) level credits	75
Science credits	78
In senior (300/400) level science courses	51
Arts and/or Applied Studies credits (includes Arts courses listed in Core Course Requirements)	21
Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University including a minimum of 15 credits in Math Core Courses	30
Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered.	24
Maximum Credits Allowed
At the preparatory (100) level	6
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits	30

Core Course Requirements

Students in the BSc Major in the Applied Mathematics degree must complete the following core course requirements as they are specific to this major:

	200- or 300-level Computing Science (COMP) credits	6
	200-level Physics (PHYS) credits with lab component	3
SCIE 326	Scientific Reasoning	3
SCIE 380	Research Methods in Science	3
PHIL 333	Professional Ethics
	or
PHIL 371	Ethics: Science, Technology, and the Environment**	3
HIST 404	Historical Foundations of Modern Science**	3
ENGL 255	Introductory Composition**	3
** These core Arts courses will fulfill part of the minimum credits required in Arts and/or Applied Studies.

Major in Applied Mathematics (45 credits)

1. Required MATH Core Courses (39 credits)

MATH 215	Introduction to Statistics
	or
MATH 216	Computer-Oriented Approach to Statistics	(3)
MATH 265	Calculus I	(3)
MATH 266	Calculus II	(3)
MATH 270	Linear Algebra I	(3)
MATH 271	Linear Algebra II	(3)
MATH 309	Discrete Mathematics	(3)
MATH 315	Methods in Applied Statistics	(3)
MATH 365	Multivariable Calculus	(3)
MATH 366	Complex Variables I	(3)
MATH 376	Ordinary Differential Equations	(3)
MATH 476	Partial Differential Equations	(3)
MATH 480	Mathematic Modeling I	(3)
MATH 495	Mathematics Projects I	(3)

2. Elective credits (6 credits)

Select and additional 6 credits in senior (300/400) level MATH courses not taken from the previous list of MATH Core Courses.

Elective Science credits (18 credits)

To meet the overall science requirement, students must select an additional 18 credits in science courses including a minimum of 3 credits in a science course with lab component. In addition, out of these 18 credits, a minimum of 15 credits must be taken at the senior (300/400) level. (Note that if the computing science requirement in the Core Course Requirements is taken at the 300 level, this course(s) can be used to meet this senior requirement.)

Options (33 credits)

The remaining 33 credits must be selected from any discipline with a minimum of 18 credits from senior (300/400) level courses.

*English Writing Skills Requirement

You are not required to take ENGL 255 if you satisfy one of the following. However, you must replace the three credits in order to satisfy the program’s credit requirement.

• have a grade of B- (70 per cent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level;
  
  or
• receive credit for an English course in which a grade of B- or better was achieved.

Specific Regulations

The following supersedes some of the general policies governing academic studies at Athabasca University:

1. In order to graduate, students must have a GPA of at least 1.7 (60 per cent) across all courses taken at Athabasca University towards a Bachelor of Science Major in Applied Mathematics degree.
2. Athabasca University will not grant transfer credit for science courses that were completed more than 10 years ago (including computer science courses).
3. A maximum of 30 credits is eligible for transfer credit towards the Required and Electives MATH courses (45 credits) necessary for this degree.