Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Ryan Pepper, PhD, Chair
S705, 713-221-8012

Judith Quander PhD, Assistant Chair
S705, 713-221-5218

Timothy Redl PhD, Assistant Chair
S705, 713-226-5224

Faculty

Professors:	Becerra, DeLaViña, London, Pepper, Simeonov, Waller, Xie, Yoon
Associate Professors:	Chan, Cahoy, Hrynkiv, Jegdic, Koshkin, Moon, Redl, Quander, Tecarro, Zafiris
Assistant Professors:	Garza, King, Nganou
Lecturers:	Abbot, Beane, Blumberg, Davila, Gad, John, Li, Morales, Nakamura, T. Nguyen, V. Nguyen, Savitsky, Simmons, Solomon
Emeriti:	Barnes, DeKorvin, Freeman, Rodriguez, Turski, Wood

The Mathematics and Statistics degree programs are structured to develop written and oral communication skills, to provide broad-based studies in the mathematical sciences, and to provide a selection of advanced course work in mathematics, data science, and applied statistics.

The degree programs in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics provide students with an education responsive to the expanding uses of mathematical and statistical techniques in business, government and industry. In addition, they provide the foundation for those students interested in pursuing graduate degrees, as well as those students interested in pursuing careers in education. Thus, they are designed to permit students to select courses suited to a variety of interests and career goals.

Undergraduate training in the mathematical sciences has undergone substantial change during the past decade. This change has been driven by advances and developments in the information technology and its applications in business, government and industry. Growing demands exist for professional mathematical and data scientists. These individuals should have a solid background in basic mathematics, an understanding of advanced mathematics and statistics software, and a mastery of important techniques in mathematics and statistics such as operations research and data analytics. Virtually all industrial, health science, business and governmental environments need individuals with these qualifications.

Those whose interests lie in the administrative or managerial sciences are especially valuable in market forecasting, accounting systems, industrial control, management training programs and long-range planning decisions. Those with an interest in data science or statistics are valuable to firms that deal with large amounts of data, such as banking and insurance companies, which need personnel to develop and maintain the associated software.

General Requirements for Graduation

All degree candidates must have a 2.0 GPA average and a grade of “C” or better in all mathematics and statistics course work.

Students are responsible for meeting the requirements for graduation. Therefore, students should become familiar with the requirements listed in this Catalog and their degree plan and should refer to them each time they plan their semester program of study.

25% (30 hours) of the semester credit hours of course work toward the degree must be taken at the University of Houston-Downtown. A minimum of 18 semester hours of upper-level credit in mathematics or statistics course work must be completed at UHD. Students who wish to take courses at another college or university, including any other campus of the University of Houston System, and apply the credits earned toward their degree must request approval through the department that administers their program before taking the course. Courses taken without such approval may not be counted toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

Honors Program in Mathematics or Statistics

To enhance the educational opportunities and experiences of the academically talented students at UH-Downtown, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers an Honors Program. The program is designed to challenge and motivate students to do more than the minimum required for a particular degree. Students who successfully complete this program will be designed as graduates of an Honors Program in the Mathematics and Statistics Department on their diploma and university transcript.

In addition to being in the UHD Honors program students can apply to the NS Honors Program. Students not in the UHD honors program may also apply to the department’s honors program.

Admission Requirements:

Application to the department’s Honors Program Admission and Review Committee
Completion of at least 60 semester credit hours of recognized university-level work
An overall GPA of at least 3.0 with a GPA of 3.25 or better in Mathematics and Statistics courses
Completion of at least 16 semester credit hours in Mathematics and Statistics courses, eight of which must have been taken at UH-Downtown.

Program Requirements:

Satisfy the requirements for one of the department’s Bachelor of Science degree programs
Complete at least two honors designated courses in addition to three hours of credit in Senior Honor Thesis. The Senior Thesis will be done under the supervision of an approved member of UHD faculty and will be presented in both oral and written form to the Mathematics and Statistics faculty.
Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all Mathematics and Statistics courses including the required honors courses.
Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses outside the Mathematics and Statistics Department taken at UH-Downtown.

The department Honors Program Admissions and Review Committee must approve all honors designated courses and all projects proposed by students for their honors theses. Upper-level courses designated as Honors require at least 25 percent more in-depth study than that required of students taking the course without honors credit. The additional course requirements will vary depending on the course instructor.

Pi Mu Epsilon

The Mathematics and Statistics Department is privileged to have a chapter of the prestigious honorary mathematics society Pi Mu Epsilon. The name of our chapter is Texas Nu. The mission of the society is to encourage and promote mathematics. Each year the Pi Mu Epsilon coordinators invite students who have shown exceptional abilities in the mathematical sciences to join the chapter. In addition, the Mathematics and Statistics Department is also privileged to have student chapters of the prestigious organization: The Mathematical Association of America.

Programs

Major

Minor