Course Planning Guidance for Math Majors
This page contains information and useful links for math majors to assist in course planning.
- The department maintains a Schedule of Math Course Offerings for the coming years.
- You can also take a look at descriptions for most math courses that provide a little more detail than what we have in the Catalog.
- For students just getting started, a Generic Sample Four Year Plan is available
- If you would like to submit a request to obtain an override for a course you are unable to register for, please complete an Override request form
More detailed advising information is provided below for some common career options for math majors.
K12 Education
Students who are contemplating K12 education should make contact with the MAE STEM Director and Education Certification Officer to make a curricular plan. Requirements for certification change frequently, and these individuals will help you make sure you are on track to meet them.
Students planning a career in education should also seek out teaching related experiences such as being a tutor, grader, substitute teacher, or working in a summer program such as the Joseph Baldwin Academy or Upward Bound.
- Sample plan for K12 Education
- Course Planning Spreadsheet for Secondary Education
- To Become a Math Teacher at Truman Document
- Application to take graduate courses as an undergraduate.
Actuarial Science
Students interested in actuarial science should get on our email list (contact Dr. Steve Smith) to get alerts for internship and full-time job opportunities. We typically have 3-4 firms visit campus each year. Attend as many of these as possible. In addition to learning about the companies, it is an opportunity to make connections, which can often lead to job offers.
PhD program in Mathematics
In short, students planning to pursue a PhD in math should take as many math classes as their schedule permits. In particular, choosing Math 452 (Algebraic Structures II), Math 462 (Advanced Calculus II), and Math 440 (Topology) will serve most students going on to do graduate work. Note that these courses are not offered every semester, so it is a good idea to plan ahead.
Students planning to go to graduate school in math should also try to participate in a summer research experience for undergraduate students. These are very competitive, and so it’s a good idea to apply to many different programs. Truman also has some options for some research, such as the TruScholars program.
Applied Mathematical Careers
Students who are not considering any of the above and are interested in going to straight into a career upon graduate school should consider choosing some of our applied mathematics courses as electives. These include
- Math 300 Introduction to Numerical Analysis
- Math 345 Mathematical Biology
- Math 365 Ordinary Differential Equations
- Math 400 Methods of Optimization
Students would also do well to consider taking some courses or completing a minor or certificate program in a related field that will enable them to better leverage their math degree. Some examples include:
- Business Administration Minor
- Computer Science Minor
- Statistics Minor
- Business Analytics Certificate Program
- Data Science Certificate Program
