Programs Is this considered a 'pure math' major?

[imull]

Is it considered a 'pure' math major if classes like calc 1-3, diff eq, linear algebra, analysis, and discrete maths are a part of the major? If so, would an engineering or physics major be considered 'applied' mathematics?

 

[Student100]

I'm confused by what you mean, engineers and physics majors will take near all those classes.

Some schools will offer different undergrad series for science majors and a proof heavy series for math majors.

The classes that you list however, again, say nothing about the major.

 

[imull]

http://mathematics.wvutech.edu/curriculum/classic_track
There's a link to the major.

 

[Student100]

Kind of sucks you'd be doing GE your senior year, other then that you have what five technical electives, two upper division math electives, senior thesis. I'm not sure what math for citizenship is, but it's senior level. The school itself is a STEM focused public school that is accredited.

I would say you'd probably be able to do "pure" math there, but it seems more focused on engineering and computation.

I'm not a math major, so maybe some math majors would be able to help you out more. Call the school too.

 

[MathWarrior]

That looks like pure math, real analysis are proof heavy courses as is Intro to Alg. Structures, which looks like introduction to abstract algebra, the real difference however is what you choose for your electives.

This http://techregistrar.wvutech.edu/r/download/132496 seems to describe the courses.

 

[imull]

Thank you so much for finding that, MathWarrior! It is very helpful.

 

[AlephZero]

I don't know what the state of math education in the US is like these days, but when I did a math degree in the UK, we had the equivalent of those M341, 451 and 452 courses starting on the first day of year one.

 

[Student100]

I don't know what the state of math education in the US is like these days, but when I did a math degree in the UK, we had the equivalent of those M341, 451 and 452 courses starting on the first day of year one.

You also went to Cambridge and probably had a thorough calculus foundation in high school. I don't know what they teach at that level in the US anymore, but they generally just require two semesters of elementary algebra. If they do offer AP calculus classes its mostly just a crash course in calculus one, I didn't have that option at my school at all.

Again I've been out of high school for a while, but it's pretty typical to do the calculus series freshman year of college.

We never did any proof math, or trig even in HS. It may have been the same for you and Cambridge just throws you into the deep end of the pool, but I don't know the UK system at all either.

 

[WannabeNewton]

If they do offer AP calculus classes its mostly just a crash course in calculus one, I didn't have that option at my school at all.

AP Calc BC covers calc 1 and calc 2. My high school, amongst many others in the US, also offered calc 3, ODEs, and LA.

Again I've been out of high school for a while, but it's pretty typical to do the calculus series freshman year of college.

This is true but it is also up to the student to decide how rigorous a calculus class he/she wants to take. Proof based freshman honors calculus courses are offered by many universities in the US and these are basically stepping stones into real analysis. Schools like UChicago also actively allow students to take honors real analysis their first year.

 

[Student100]

AP Calc BC covers calc 1 and calc 2. My high school, amongst many others in the US, also offered calc 3, ODEs, and LA.

Interesting, so it isn't like I had imagined were everything that is taught in high school is only what's relevant for standardization exams.

I went to a rural school, with 45 graduating seniors my final year. This probably also played a major role in what was available.

This is true but it is also up to the student to decide how rigorous a calculus class he/she wants to take. Proof based freshman honors calculus courses are offered by many universities in the US and these are basically stepping stones into real analysis. Schools like UChicago also actively allow students to take honors real analysis their first year.

This is relevant and useful for the OP in deciding where they should study.
To the OP: was WVU your number one option, If so why?

 

[WannabeNewton]

Interesting, so it isn't like I had imagined were everything that is taught in high school is only what's relevant for standardization exams.

I would be lying if I said most of it isn't taught like that though :)

I went to a rural school, with 45 graduating seniors my final year. This probably also played a major role in what was available.

I would imagine that had major influence. I went to a relatively big science based school (~700 kids in my graduating year).

 

[imull]

Yes it was my number one option. It is in state (lower tuition), a small school (1000-1500), and WV high school students with an overall 3.0 gpa by the end of their senior year get Promise Scholarship ($4700 per year for 4 years). I wanted a small school because it is what I am used to. Also, the college classes that I am taking right now and next semester (Calc 1 and 2, College English 1 and 2, Psych, and Euro History) transfer because they are taught by a local college that is part of WVU.