Mathematics

Faculty:
Johnson - Chair, Appuhamy, Coltharp, Charles Curtis, Carrie Curtis, Harmon, Laird, Lathrom
Reynolds Hall • 417-625-9376

Mission

The Mathematics Department of Missouri Southern fills several key roles within the University. The Department contributes to the breadth of all majors on campus by providing the mathematics portion of the General Education requirements. For disciplines with a larger quantitative component, the Department offers courses that develop the mathematical tools that students in these disciplines will require. The Department provides a pair of courses to increase future elementary teachers’ command of mathematics and imbue them with confidence in its use. For prospective middle school and secondary mathematics teachers, the department offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to ensure that these students have both a mastery of the material they will be teaching and a depth of understanding that will allow them to see this material in a larger context. Additionally, the Department provides a comprehensive mathematics major, preparing students for careers in the academic, industrial or governmental arenas and a computational mathematics option, which allows a student to obtain a double major in mathematics and computer science. The faculty of the Mathematics Department of Missouri Southern State University are committed to excellence in teaching and learning. Recognizing that a successful department is dependent on successful students, the faculty devotes a great deal of energy to communicating mathematics effectively both in and out of the classroom. Department faculty constantly pursue techniques to further the effectiveness of their teaching and to promote an environment conducive to the current and future success of its students.

In an increasingly technological society, applications of mathematics continue to increase in variety. Persons with quantitative ability and training are in high demand. Career opportunities exist in a diversity of fields such as engineering, computer science, economics, statistics, operations research, management and education. Missouri Southern graduates are enjoying success in all of these areas. Some graduates choose to begin careers immediately upon graduation; others choose to continue their education in graduate school. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for either path.

General education requirements for the associate of science degree can be met with any mathematics course numbered 030 or above.

For students majoring in mathematics, mathematics education, or computational math (or minoring in math), only courses in which they have earned a grade of ‘C’ or above can be used to satisfy departmental mathematics requirements and supporting requirements. Mathematics courses used as prerequisites require a grade of ‘C’ or better. Placement in the first college math course is based on the student’s score on the Mathematics Section of the ACT. More information is available in the individual course description, the Mathematics Department Office or on the following website: www.mssu.edu/math/place.htm.

For additional information contact:
Dr. Kerry D. Johnson • Reynolds Hall 212
417-625-9675 • johnson-k@mssu.edu

Programs

Major

Minor

Mathematics Minor, MA80

Courses

Mathematics