Questions about math degree at EC

[ban26ana]

I just discovered EC, as well as this forum. Just like most of you, I have a million credits from a million places, and no degree. From what I've read, I am almost done my degree by EC's standards. I just have a few questions.

• Which is better, a BA or a BS? For me, there is no difference in the requirements. I lack the exact same thing for both degrees. I plan on either starting the testing process to become an actuary, or going alternate route to teach middle/high school math. Which degree is better, and why?
  
• EC requires an information literacy requirement. I've read on here that I can Penn Foster out of this. I'd rather do that to save some money. What exactly do I look for on Penn Foster's site? I've attended Penn State, Richard Stockton College of NJ, a local community college, and University of Illinois at Springfield (online). Is it possible that I've already fulfilled this requirement at a different school?
  
• For my second depth requirement, I'm going to use history, since I have an AA in this. I would only need 3 UL credits. The Civil War DSST satisfies this. If I pay for the InstaCert flash cards, can I study for the test just with that? Or should I use another study resource?
  
• Other than those requirements, all I need is the capstone. What exactly is this?
  
• Ideally, I'd like to register for the capstone course for the May 2 start date. This would have me finishing my degree on June 26. Is this possible with everything I've explained here?
  
• Is there a catch? Seriously, I can actually have my math degree with just a DSST, a capstone, and possibly a Penn Foster? Someone pinch me! There is an end in sight!
  

[NAP]

Welcome to the forum! I am excited that you are interested in the math major, too. I'll try to answer some of your questions, but I think others will have some experience to share on some of these also.

I just discovered EC, as well as this forum. Just like most of you, I have a million credits from a million places, and no degree. From what I've read, I am almost done my degree by EC's standards. I just have a few questions.

[*]Which is better, a BA or a BS? For me, there is no difference in the requirements. I lack the exact same thing for both degrees. I plan on either starting the testing process to become an actuary, or going alternate route to teach middle/high school math. Which degree is better, and why?

It is my understanding that a BS is the normal route for a Math or Science major compared to a BA. For instance, I looked in the course catalog at Penn State and they offer only BS degrees for all of the math, science, and computer related majors except for the math and science majors specifically. Those 2 also have a BA option for people who want to apply them toward humanities and social science areas and the BS option is for people who want to apply them toward math and science areas. Since I want to go in to the medical research field, I assume that a BS would be the choice for me. (I have also learned that some colleges only offer a BA in math or science. I have to assume that it has worked out okay for their graduates.)

Try to check your areas of interest to see if there is a general recommendation.

[*]EC requires an information literacy requirement. I've read on here that I can Penn Foster out of this. I'd rather do that to save some money. What exactly do I look for on Penn Foster's site? I've attended Penn State, Richard Stockton College of NJ, a local community college, and University of Illinois at Springfield (online). Is it possible that I've already fulfilled this requirement at a different school?

Yes, you may have fulfilled this already. Have you taken a course that covered topics like computer/library research and finding/evaluating accurate resources to write research papers?

Many people have used Penn Foster; I am sure you will be able to get more help with that.

[*]For my second depth requirement, I'm going to use history, since I have an AA in this. I would only need 3 UL credits. The Civil War DSST satisfies this. If I pay for the InstaCert flash cards, can I study for the test just with that? Or should I use another study resource?

Hopefully you can find more info about this. I used a lot of resources and it is a graded exam at EC.

[*]Other than those requirements, all I need is the capstone. What exactly is this?

[*]Ideally, I'd like to register for the capstone course for the May 2 start date. This would have me finishing my degree on June 26. Is this possible with everything I've explained here?

I'm not sure if anyone on the forum has taken one, yet. I also don't know which one you will be required to take.

Your next step will be to send in your transcripts and apply, so they can do an unofficial evaluation. That whole process can take many weeks. This could make your schedule tighter than it appears at first glance.

[*]Is there a catch? Seriously, I can actually have my math degree with just a DSST, a capstone, and possibly a Penn Foster? Someone pinch me! There is an end in sight!

I hope it is true. Since they do not have a current Liberal Arts catalog posted, we do not know if they have changed any other policies.

Do you already have the required courses/tests to complete the major?

I am currently enrolled at EC as a math major. I got the requirements out of the previous version of the Liberal Arts catalog. (Again, I do not know if they have changed.)

The Mathematics Major has specific course/exam requirements. Here is a list:

Mathematics Major

The required subjects and/or credits are as follows (a minimum of 2 semester hours is necessary to satisfy Core (I) and Intermediate and upper-level (II) course requirements):
15.00 semester hours at the lower level
18.00 semester hours at the upper level

I. Core Requirements

A1. The first semester of the Calculus Sequence.
A2. The second semester of the Calculus Sequence
A3. The third semester of the Calculus Sequence
B. Differential Equations
C. Linear Algebra

II. Intermediate and Upper Level Courses

It is required to complete at least six courses from this section, with a minimum of two courses from section A, two courses from section B, and one course from each subgroup of section C.
A. Analysis - such as Advanced Calculus, Real Analysis, Vector Analysis, Complex Analysis
B. Algebra - such as Abstract Algebra or Modern Algebra, Number Theory, Algebraic Structures
C1. Applied Mathematics - such as Combinatorics, Discrete Mathematics, Decision Theory, Graph Theory
C2. Applied Mathematics – such as Computer Methods or Numerical Analysis, Linear Programming, Mathematical Modeling, Multiple Regression Analysis, Statistics (must be calculus based)

**Please note that there may have been changes made to these requirements, since the last Liberal Arts Catalog was published.

***Also note, EC allows 9 credits in math below the level of Calculus plus Stats. (These will not count toward the credits for the math major.)

Here are some options for UL math credit - http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...e-uoi.html

Please let us know, if you have more questions, and keep us updated on your progress.

[irnbru]

Isn't one of the special features of EC's maths degree that there's no requirement for a capstone course? Or, did that only apply under the old subject gre route?

Awesome write up, NAP.

[NAP]

Isn't one of the special features of EC's maths degree that there's no requirement for a capstone course? Or, did that only apply under the old subject gre route?

Awesome write up, NAP.

Thank you!

I'll have to think about that for a minute. It sounds familiar, but it may have just been the Research & Writing in the Major requirement. Without a current catalog, we don't know how the new policies like the capstone will work for the various majors. I thought a few of them already had a capstone course included.

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I also want to add. Be sure to get an updated list of the Math major requirements from EC.

If their requirements are too specific for your credits, also look at the degrees offered at TESC and COSC. They may fit your credits better.

BA in Math at TESC - Thomas Edison State College | BA in Mathematics Credit Distribution

BA in Natural Science/Math at TESC - Thomas Edison State College | BA in Natural Sciences/Mathematics Credit Distribution

Math concentration at COSC - Mathematics Concentration (Major) at Charter Oak State College

[ban26ana]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I have all the required courses and credits except for the upper level course for my second depth. Prior to finding info about EC, I looked at COSC. But I have more classes to complete that degree. And I prefer to have my major on the degree instead of just the "concentration." Plus COSC requires both a cornerstone course and a capstone course. With me being so close to the end of my degree, it makes sense to find something with the shortest route possible.

According to EC's website, this requires a capstone.

[NAP]

That's great news! Congratulations! You are almost at the finish line!