Three U of C math degrees set to merge into one

By Claudia Wong, March 19 2015 —

The three math degrees offered at the University of Calgary will merge by Fall 2016 pending the provincial government’s approval.

Pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics will merge into the bachelor of science in mathematics. There would be three specializations offered later in the program: financial mathematics, computational mathematics and statistics.

Department of mathematics and statistics undergraduate director Nancy Chibry said the new program would give students the skills they need for graduate school.

“The new program allows more flexibility to respond to current trends in the mathematical field and other fields such as geophysics, biology, engineering,” Chibry said.

But some mathematics professors and students disagree. One applied mathematics professor, who requested anonymity, said students may want to specialize early and only take the mathematical path they wish.

“It makes us feel like we are just math. We don’t have our own features,” the professor said.