BS in Mathematics
Earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mathematics degree through the College of Science and Engineering (CSE).
Lower division requirements
Complete at least one of these two introductory sequences.
Non-math lower division requirements
In addition to either of the above sequences, students must also complete the following non-math lower division classes:
- PHYS 1301W Physics I
- PHYS 1302W Physics II
- PHYS 2303 or 2503 Physics III
- 1000-level computer science course - one of:
- CSCI 1103 Java
- CSCI 1113 C/C++
- CSCI 1133 Python – preferred for math majors
*Sequences, Series, and Foundations counts as an upper‐division writing intensive course toward the liberal education requirements, but not as an upper‐division Math course toward the Math major or minor. May be taken after or concurrently with the fourth Calculus course, whether that is Linear Algebra & Differential Equations or Multivariable.
**Sequences, Series, and Foundations will be waived if both MATH 3592H and 3593H have been completed.
Upper division requirements
- Algebra: Two courses, one of which must be a Theoretical Algebra course.
- Analysis: Two courses.
- Math electives: Four MATH 4xxx or 5xxx courses. Note that MATH 4067W, 49XX, and 59XX do not count toward this requirement.
- Technical Electives: Two courses satisfying the following requirements:
- At least three credits each
- Numbered 3xxx or higher
- Calculus I is a prerequisite
- Must have a theme or connection, requiring approval by a Math faculty advisor (See the BS Math APAS for pre‐approved technical electives in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering/Material Science, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, Statistics, or additional Math).
Course requirement details
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Algebra courses
Algebra courses
Of your two algebra courses, at least one must be chosen from the Theoretical Algebra list.
Theoretical Algebra
- MATH 4281: Introduction to Modern Algebra
- MATH 5248: Cryptology & Number Theory
- MATH 5251: Error‐correcting Codes, Finite Fields, Algebraic Curves
- MATH 5285H Honors: Fundamental Structures of Algebra I
- MATH 5286H Honors: Fundamental Structures of Algebra II
- MATH 5385: Introduction to Computational Algebraic Geometry
Further Discrete or Algebraic Math
- MATH 4242: Applied Linear Algebra
- MATH 5165: Mathematical Logic I
- MATH 5335: Geometry I
- MATH 5345H Honors: Introduction to Topology
- MATH 5485: Introduction to Numerical Methods
- MATH 5705: Enumerative Combinatorics
- MATH 5707: Graph Theory and Non‐enumerative Combinatorics
- MATH 5711: Linear Programming and Combinatorial Optimization
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Analysis courses
Analysis courses
- MATH 4567: Fourier Analysis
- MATH 4603: Advanced Calculus I
- MATH 4604: Advanced Calculus II
- MATH 5378: Differential Geometry
- MATH 5445: Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks
- MATH 5447: Theoretical Neuroscience
- MATH 5465: Mathematics of Machine Learning and Data Analysis I
- MATH 5466: Mathematics of Machine Learning and Data Analysis II
- MATH 5486: Introduction to Numerical Methods II
- MATH 5525: Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH 5535: Dynamical Systems and Chaos
- MATH 5583: Complex Analysis
- MATH 5587: Elementary Partial Differential Equations I
- MATH 5588: Elementary Partial Differential Equations II
- MATH 5615H Honors: Introduction to Analysis I
- MATH 5616H Honors: Introduction to Analysis II
- MATH 5651: Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics
- or STAT 5101 (equivalent to MATH 5651)
- MATH 5652: Stochastic Processes
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Math elective courses
Math elective courses
- Additional algebra and analysis courses not already taken
- MATH 4065: Theory of Interest
- MATH 4152: Elementary Math Logic
- MATH 4428: Mathematical Modeling
- MATH 4512: Differential Equations with Applications
- MATH 4653: Elementary Probability
- MATH 4707: Introduction to Combinatorics and Graph Theory
- MATH 5075: Mathematics of Options, Futures, and Derivative Securities I
- MATH 5076: Mathematics of Options, Futures, and Derivative Securities II
- STAT 5102: Theory of Statistics II
When to declare
- Students typically apply to a major while enrolled in fall semester courses during their sophomore year (third semester).
- Any student who is not admitted to the major by spring semester of their sophomore year may have a Major Declaration hold (MDR) placed on their record. This hold will prevent future registration until a student is admitted to a major.
Changing or adding a major
If you've already been admitted to a major in CSE (upper division), use the CSE admission to the major database to either:
- Change your major.
- Add Mathematics as an additional major.
Specializations
- Actuarial mathematics
- Mathematical biology (genomics or physiology)
- Computer applications
- Mathematics education
You may also choose to complete the Math major without a specialization.
Comparing BS, BA, and minor requirements
The BS in Mathematics is offered through CSE, while the BA in Mathematics and minor in Mathematics are offered through College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
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Comparison: Lower division requirements
Comparison: Lower division requirements
| BS Math Major (CSE) | BA Math Major (CLA) | Math Minor (CLA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics |
| Not required* | Not required |
| Computer Science | Choose one:
| Not required* | Not required |
| Prerequisites for declaring a major or minor |
|
|
|
*Additional Physics and Computer Science requirements may exist depending on the Math specialization chosen.
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Comparison: Upper division requirements
Comparison: Upper division requirements
| BS Math Major (CSE) | BA Math Major (CLA) | Math Minor (CLA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra | 2 courses, one of which must be a Theoretical Algebra course. | 2 courses, one of which must be a Theoretical Algebra course. | Not required |
| Analysis | 2 courses | 2 courses | Not required |
| Math electives | 4 MATH 4xxx/5xxx courses | 2 MATH 4xxx/5xxx courses | 2 MATH 4xxx/5xxx courses |
| Capstone/senior project | Not required | Required | Not required |
| Technical electives | 2 courses** | Not required | Not required |
**Technical electives = Two courses satisfying the following requirements:
- At least three credits each
- Numbered 3xxx or higher
- Calculus I is a prerequisite
- Must have a theme or connection, requiring approval by a Math faculty advisor (See the BS Math APAS for pre‐approved technical electives in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering/Material Science, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, Statistics, or additional Math).