Experience with the CUPM Program in Mathematics

This paper demonstrates by a case history the feasibility of the program in mathematics recommended for all undergraduates in engineering by the Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) of the Mathematical Association of America. The case history is that of the mathematics program at the United States Military Academy, and it is a practical example of the program recommended by the CUPM. In main outline the CUPM recommends that the courses required for all undergraduates in engineering should include 12 hours of basic analysis (calculus and differential equations with content recognizing electronic digital computation), 3 hours of linear algebra, and 3 hours of probability and statistics. Substantially, this program is completed during the first two years by all cadets who graduate from the Military Academy. During their third and fourth years they may take additional courses on an elective basis, these being of the type recommended by the CUPM for students intending to go into research and development.