Mathematics Concentration
Mathematics Program Leader: TBD
Professors: Humberto Munoz-Barona, Rachel Vincent-Finley, Joseph Gaskin
Associate Professor: Phyllis Okwan
Associate Professor of Practice: Kimyata Dilworth
Assistant Professors: Katrina Cunningham
Instructors: Kissie Anderson, Reginald Brown, Kenuatra Flowers, Christopher Marshall, Tiffany Quiett, Tiffany Vappie, Phaedra Wells, Candance Russell
Administrative Assistant: TBD
The Department of Mathematics and Physics offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a concentration in mathematics designed to prepare students for successful careers, advanced study, and professional leadership in mathematics and mathematics-intensive fields. The program emphasizes strong theoretical foundations, analytical reasoning, quantitative problem-solving, and effective communication—skills that are essential across science, engineering, technology, education, and industry.
Students develop proficiency in core areas of mathematics while applying mathematical reasoning to real-world and interdisciplinary problems. Graduates are well prepared for employment in government, industry, data-driven fields, and education, as well as for graduate or professional study in mathematics and related disciplines.
The department also offers an undergraduate minor in Mathematics and provides specialized coursework to support high school and middle school mathematics teacher preparation.
Mathematics Program Educational Objectives (PEO)
The mathematics curriculum at Southern University is dedicated to preparing students for productive careers in the state, nation, and the world. The Mathematics Program prepares graduates to achieve the following:
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PEO-1:
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Mathematical Knowledge and Problem Solving: Graduates will apply foundational and advanced mathematical concepts, theories, and methods to analyze and solve complex problems in mathematics and in mathematics-related disciplines using logical reasoning and quantitative analysis.
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PEO-2:
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Professional and Academic Advancement: Graduates will pursue and succeed in mathematics-related careers or advanced study, including graduate programs, professional schools, and teaching positions in mathematics or closely related fields.
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PEO-3:
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Communication, Ethics, and Collaboration: Graduates will communicate mathematical ideas effectively, work productively in collaborative environments, and demonstrate ethical and professional responsibility when addressing technical, societal, and organizational challenges.
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Core Mathematics and Science Courses
Course Requirements
All students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required and elective mathematics and physics courses presented to fulfill the major requirements in the curriculum. Further, students in the Mathematics concentration must take at least one Physics course (3 credit hours) as a free elective. Students must also meet all requirements for the college and the University.
Degree Requirements
First Year
First Semester
| FRMN 120B | College Success Skills | 2 |
| Or | |
| FRMN 121B | College Success Skills w/Lab | 2 |
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| SENL 101B | English Composition I | 3 |
HIST
| History Requirement | 3 |
| SMAT 211B | Anal Geometry & Calculus I | 4 |
| Biology Requirement | 3 |
| Biology Requirement - Lab | 1 |
Second Semester
| SENL 102B | English Composition II | 3 |
HIST
| History Requirement | 3 |
| SMAT 212B | Anal Geometry Calculus II | 4 |
| Foreign Language Sequence I | 3 |
| Health-PE Elective | 1-2 |
Second Year
First Semester
| MATH 233B | Intro to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 364B | Anal Geometry & Calculus III | 4 |
| Foreign Language Sequence II | 3 |
ENGL
| Literature Requirement | 3 |
| Open Requirement | 3 |
Second Semester
| MATH 250B | Introduction to Geometry | 3 |
| MATH 370B | Ordinary Differential Equation | 4 |
| ENGL 362B | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Arts Requirement | 3 |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 |
Third Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Fourth Year
First Semester
| MATH 462B | Real Analysis | 3 |
MATH
| Math Requirement | 3 |
| PHYS 271B | Modern Physics | 3 |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 |
Second Semester
MATH
| Math Requirement | 3 |
MATH
| Math Requirement | 3 |
| Open Requirement | 3 |
| Open Requirement | 3 |
- Open Requirement: At least one open requirement will be a three (3) credit Physics course. All others may be selected from mathematics elective groups or in consultation with a mathematics faculty advisor.
- MATH (Math Requirement): At least one course from each of the mathematics elective groups must be selected.
Mathematics Elective Groups
Block 1 Elective Group
Block 2 Elective Group
Block 3 Elective Group
Minor in Mathematics
Requirements List
| MATH 233B | Intro to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| SMAT 211B | Anal Geometry & Calculus I | 4 |
| SMAT 212B | Anal Geometry Calculus II | 4 |
MATH
| Math Requirement Block 1 | 3 |
MATH
| Math Requirement Block 2 | 3 |
MATH
| Math Requirement Block 2 | 3 |
MATH
| Math Minor Requirement | 3-4 |
MATH
| Math Minor Requirement | 3-4 |
Minor in Mathematics Education
Physics Concentration
Physics Program Leader: TBD
Professors: Laurence Henry, Pui-Man Lam, Guang-Lin Zhao
Associate Professor: Feng Gao, Anthony Stewart
Instructor: Marsha Robins
Lab Manager: Yuriy Malozovsky
Administrative Assistant: Lanea Wilkinson
Professors Emeriti: Diola Bagayoko, Ali Fazely, Stephen McGuire
The Physics concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics provides students with a rigorous and comprehensive foundation in classical and modern physics, mathematics, and computational methods. The program is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice, graduate study, and lifelong learning in physics and closely related fields.
The curriculum emphasizes conceptual understanding, quantitative reasoning, experimental methods, and scientific communication—competencies aligned with regional accreditation expectations for discipline mastery, analytical proficiency, and professional readiness. Students develop the ability to apply physical principles to complex problems encountered in science, engineering, technology, and education.
Graduates are well prepared for careers or advanced study in physics, engineering (e.g., electrical, mechanical, materials), quantum chemistry, materials science, telecommunications, biophysics, medicine, patent law, and other interdisciplinary fields grounded in physics. The program also provides targeted preparation for secondary science teaching, supporting future educators with strong disciplinary content knowledge.
At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Science in Mathematics and Physics with a concentration in Physics and provides graduate physics coursework for students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Science and Mathematics Education who require advanced disciplinary preparation.
Students work closely with faculty advisors to select and sequence coursework that aligns with their academic goals, professional aspirations, and post-baccalaureate pathways.
Physics Program Educational Objectives (PEO)
The physics curriculum at Southern University is dedicated to preparing students for productive careers in the state, nation, and the world. Physics program graduates are expected to:
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PEO-1:
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Disciplinary and Applied Competence: Apply foundational principles of physics and mathematics to analyze, model, and solve problems in physics and related scientific, technological, and engineering contexts.
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PEO-2:
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Graduate and Professional Advancement: Pursue and succeed in graduate study, professional schools, certification pathways, or technical careers in physics, physical sciences, engineering, education, or interdisciplinary fields.
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PEO-3:
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Professional Practice and Collaboration: Engage effectively as ethical professionals, researchers, educators, or collaborators who communicate scientific ideas clearly and contribute to addressing scientific, societal, and technological challenges.
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Core Mathematics and Science Courses
Degree Requirements
First Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Second Year
First Semester
| MATH 364B | Anal Geometry & Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 200B | Applied Prog In Physics | 3 |
| SCHE 133B | General Chemistry | 3 |
| SCHE 133LB | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
HIST
| History Requirement | 3 |
ENGL
| Literature Requirement | 3 |
Second Semester
Third Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Fourth Year
First Semester
| PHYS 400B | Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 435B | Quantum Physics I | 3 |
| Open Requirement | 3 |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 |
Second Semester
| Physics Requirement | 3 |
| Open Requirement | 3 |
| Arts Requirement | 3 |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 |
Physics Electives
Requirements List
Minor in Physics
Requirements List
*Open Requirement: At least one free elective will be a three (3) credit Mathematics course. All others may be selected from physics electives or in consultation with a physics faculty advisor.
**Physics Requirement: Select from the physics electives.