2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

mathematical sciences major
We’ve designed the Mathematical Sciences major to teach the problem solving, analytical, and communication skills you’ll need
to deal with the complex operational, management, engineering and mathematical problems you’ll encounter as an officer in
the Air Force of today and tomorrow. You’ll take courses in applied mathematics, analysis, statistics, and operations research
to provide a breadth of education beyond the classical areas of mathematical study. In each of these areas you’ll increase your
ability to: a) logically analyze a problem; b) determine the tools required to formulate a solution; c) develop and execute the
solution and d) effectively communicate the process and conclusions of that solution. The key to the Mathematics major is
flexibility. It allows you the flexibility to choose the areas you’ll study. You have the opportunity to choose one of three specialty
options allowing you to study the area of mathematics in which you have the most interest. Should you declare a second major,
you can substitute courses from your second discipline for your open options. The program also provides enormous flexibility
in the opportunities that will be available to you as an Air Force officer. An officer with a background in mathematics has
many different Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) from which to choose, such as space systems analyst, scientific analyst, and
intelligence applications officer. This list is certainly not exhaustive since it doesn’t include any of the Air Force specialties
with no specific degree requirements. Mathematics majors do very well in a diverse set of graduate school disciplines, such as
business administration, computer science, economics, most engineering disciplines, law, medicine, meteorology, operations
research, physics, and, of course, mathematics.
Suggested Course Sequence
3rd-Class Year 2nd-Class Year 1st-Class Year
Chem 200 Aero Engr 315 Academy Opt
Comp Sci 211 Beh Sci 310 Astro Engr 410
Econ 201 Biology 315 English 411
English 211 El Engr 315 Math 420
Engr Mech 220 History 302 Math 421
Law 220 Math 342 Math Open Opt
Math 243 Math 346 Math Opt 1
Math 245 Math 360 Math Opt 2
Math 320 Math 366 Mgt 400
MSS 200 Math 377 MSS 400
Physics 215 Math 378 Soc Sci 412
Pol Sci 211 Philos 310 Sys Opt Comp Sci 453
MATHEMATICS (Math)
Offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Math 130. Basic Math.–Algebra and Trigonometry. Designed to help reinforce algebraic and trigonometric skills
necessary for success in the technical core. Basic graphing, algebraic manipulation, and trigonometric calculations are covered.
Elementary functions, function manipulation, and some function applications are also discussed. May be used as an Academy
option to fulfill graduation requirements. Does not fulfill any major’s requirements.
Math 141. Calculus I. Study of differential calculus. Topics include functions and their applications to physical systems; limits
and continuity; a formal treatment of derivatives; numeric estimation of derivatives at a point; basic differentiation formulas for
elementary functions; product, quotient, and chain rules; implicit differentiation; and mathematical and physical applications of
the derivative, to include extrema, concavity, and optimization. Significant emphasis is placed on using technology to solve and
investigate mathematical problems.
Math 142. Calculus II. Study of integral calculus with a focus on the Fundamental Theorems and their application. Topics
include estimating area under a curve; accumulation and total change, basic numeric integration methods; antiderivative
formulas for the elementary functions; integration by substitution and parts; improper integrals; differential equations;
exponential growth and decay; an introduction to Taylor Series; and mathematical and physical applications of the
Fundamental Theorems. Physical applications include area and volume problems and the concept of work.
United States Air Force Academy Catalog 121