Math BA at COSC

[jpreston232]

Hello. Long-time lurker first-time poster here. I have been researching getting a degree in Mathematics through Charter Oak and have an idea of how to go about doing such. Basically, Charter Oak says you can fulfill most of the requirements by taking the GRE and then you need "12 credits beyond the freshman level to include at least 3 upper level credits which may be selected from such areas as analysis, Calculus-Based Probability and Statistics, Abstract or Modern Algebra, Topology, and Set Theory, plus capstone."

Three problems here: 1.)They don't seem to offer any of those classes. 2.)I don't know exactly who gives tests for any of those and 3.)It's still kind of vague as to what a "beyond the freshman level" course is. I tried calling them and they bounced me around to four different departments before I got an answering machine(They haven't returned my call, as of yet). I sent them an email and... No response. Their course list has Quantitative Analysis listed as an UL course, but other than that, I really don't know what else I could take. Does anyone have any experience with this or have any ideas what the path forward would be?

Thanks.

[rebel100]

Option 2
The GRE Subject Test in Mathematics, evaluated at 24 credits (15 lower, 9 upper), plus 12 credits beyond the freshman level to include at least 3 upper level credits which may be selected from such areas as analysis, Calculus-Based Probability and Statistics, Abstract or Modern Algebra, Topology, and Set Theory, plus capstone. https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/curre...matics.cfm

I would be surprised if COSC offers many of these, Math is an intensive subject to study and doesn't fully lend itself to one way instruction which is what most online courses are (not all by any means, but most). COSC doesn't have too many active instructors, most of their programs are developed and canned then just your work is graded. Math is also not the most popular of subjects to major in, so they sensibly direct their resources to more popular subjects.

They do indicate that the Uexcel Quantitative analyses exam is Upper Level and worth three credits, so that is one. https://www.charteroak.edu/exams/exams-master-list.pdf

Freshman level means 100 level courses, here they are indicating they want your work to be 200 level or above.

I'm gonna venture that you will need to take the GRE and that Uexcel plus 12 more courses (4 classes) at the 200 level or above to complete this. LSU has a few independent study courses that might work:
MATH 2057 – Multidimensional Calculus (print based)
MATH 2085 – Linear Algebra (print based)
MATH 2090 – Elementary Differential Equations & Linear Algebra (print based)
MATH 3355 – Probability (print based)
None of the other usual suspects really produced anything, U of Idaho, CSU_Pueblo, and BYU all came up short.

Tough concentration, I think they expect you to bring most of the credits into this one.

[dfrecore]

"beyond freshman level" means anything other than 100-level courses. 100-level would be College Algebra, Precalc, etc. 200-level would normally be Stats, Calculus and above. 300-level and 400-level continue on. If you look at your local state college, you can see the catalog and what the different level math courses are.

The only real test-out options for higher level math is the 3 edX Differential Equations courses, which you actually have to take starting in February (it's online, and you take the class while the prof is teaching it). There are 3 courses, each about 2 months long, but you wouldn't take them unless you'd already taken Calculus. Each course is $49. Here's the link: https://www.edx.org/ace-alternative-credit-project

You will have to find other places to take the required courses. UExcel has Quantitative Analysis, which is UL. Straighterline has Calc I & II, if you haven't taken them yet, but they are LL.

The rest would have to be taken wherever you could find them. You'd have to do some research.

TESC has a Natural Sciences/Math degree which is easier to test out of, as they allow your UL courses to come from Math, Science and any Computer courses that count as Natural Sciences. Much easier to find, even if you want to take more math classes/exams.

[TrailRunr]

To me, freshman level is usually beyond first year calculus. All of the options listed require at least one year of calculus and many require more than that. And what is the minimum score on the math GRE to get maximum credit? You won't be able to earn this degree with a calculus sequence designed for non-STEM majors. This is butt-in-seat almost the entire way and designed for those who used to be math majors and are 1 or 2 classes short at the UL math level. If you take a lot of butt-in-seat UL math classes, you might as well get the degree from the school where the classes are.

I think you should forget about this unless you took one year of calculus for STEM majors already and thought it was super easy.

[NAP]

Two of my favorite topics (math and GRE) -

At least 2 forum members have completed the math major. (I think there is a third, but I don't remember their screen name at the moment.)

View Profile: Kaz - CLEP Forum - CLEP Study - CLEP Testing - Study Guide and Strategies

View Profile: OE800_85 - CLEP Forum - CLEP Study - CLEP Testing - Study Guide and Strategies

Check their signatures and this thread for more details about course options:

http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...post192098

I know that the GRE is tempting since you "only" need the 40th percentile to earn 24 credits.

With that as a possibility and the online course options available, I think you can create a degree path that works the best for you and your goals.

Be sure to investigate all of your options and keep us updated on your progress!

[NAP]

I found a third math major and another thread about course options:

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...ework.html

http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...-math.html

[Yenisei]

I think Empire State College still has some good 4 semester credit hour UL Math Options in Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Numerical Methods, Mathematical Modeling, and History of Mathematics. Chadron State College may still offer a BS in Math, in which case they would definitely have some UL Options, but you would have to verify that they would accept you as a non-degree seeking Student. There are several options for Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations: LSU, Empire State College, BYU among them. LSU used to have an UL calculus-based Probability & Statistics course. Would be great if you could find a Complex Analysis course as well.

I have taken courses with ESC, and would recommend them.