Math Specializations, Prep for Math Graduate Study

Mathematics is a subject with many facets and many applications. The School of Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mathematics that allow students to customize their program through course selection. To help guide course selection students may choose to complete a specialization in actuarial mathematics, computer applications, mathematical biology (genomics or physiology), or mathematics education depending on their interests or career goals.

However, some of our math majors choose to complete the Math major without a specialization. This option is particularly relevant for students who plan to choose courses that will prepare them for graduate study in pure and applied mathematics. We also offer courses in mathematics that apply to industry and courses that could lead to careers in business or finance.

Below you'll find the upper-divison course requirements by specialization. 

Contact:

Undergraduate Mathematics Office
ugrad@math.umn.edu
115 Vincent Hall
612-625-4848

Math Advising: lewisk@umn.edu

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BS Mathematics Specializations

BS NO SPECIALIZATION

  • Two Algebra courses, at least one Theoretical
  • Two Analysis courses
  • Four additional upper-division MATH courses
  • Technical elective two-course package

BS ACTUARIAL SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 4242 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 5651 Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics or STAT 5101
  • MATH 5652 Stochastic Processes
  • STAT 5102 Theory of Statistics II
  • MATH 4065 Theory of Interest
  • MATH 5067 Actuarial Mathematics I
  • MATH 5068 Actuarial Mathematics II
  • One CSCI course from 1103, 1113, 1133
  • ECON 1101, 1102
  • ACCT 2051
  • FINA 3001
  • STAT 3021, 3032 (technical electives)
  • One of INS 4105, (4200 or 4205)
  • Recommended: MATH 4067W Actuarial Mathematics in Practice

BS COMPUTER APPLICATIONS SPECIALIZATION

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 5485 Numerical Methods I (discrete algebra course)
  • MATH 5486 Numerical Methods II (analysis course)
  • One additional Analysis course
  • MATH 5165 Mathematical Logic I
  • One additional computing-related MATH course (4242, 5248, 5251, 5285H, 5286H, 5385, 5705, 5707, 5711)
  • Two additional upper-division MATH courses
  • Two 1xxx-level CSCI courses (for example 1103-1913 or 1113-1913 or 1133-1933)
  • CSCI 2011/2011H
  • Two upper-division CSCI courses (4011, 4041, 4061, 4511W, 4611, 5106, 5304, 5421, 5451, 5471, 5511, 5512, 5521, 5523, 5607, 5608), which satisfy the technical elective requirement

BS MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY: GENOMICS SPECIALIZATION

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 4242 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 5525 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations or MATH 5535 Dynamical Systems & Chaos
  • MATH 5651 Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics or STAT 5101
  • MATH 4428 Mathematical Modeling
  • Three additional upper-division MATH courses (for example: MATH 5445 Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks)
  • BIOL 1009/1009H General Biology
  • GCD 3022 Genetics
  • CSCI 5461 or 5481 (note the CSCI prerequisites for these courses)
  • One of the following: (note the prerequisites for the EEB and GCD courses)
    • EEB 5042 Quantitative Genetics
    • GCD 4143 Human Genetics
    • GCD 4151 Molecular Biology of Cancer
    • CSCI 5461/5481 (the one not taken above)
    • MATH 5445 Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks (recommended if not taken above)

BS MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY: PHYSIOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 4242 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 5525 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations or MATH 5535 Dynamical Systems & Chaos
  • MATH 5651 Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics or STAT 5101
  • MATH 5445 Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks or MATH 5447 Theoretical Neuroscience
  • MATH 4428 Mathematical Modeling
  • Two additional upper-division MATH courses
  • BIOL 1009/1009H General Biology
  • CHEM 1061/1071H and 1065/1075H
  • CHEM 1062/1062H and 1066/1076H
  • PHSL 3061 Principles of Physiology
  • One of the following: (note the prerequisites for PHSL and NSC courses)
    • PHSL 4702 Cell Physiology
    • PHSL 5444 Muscle
    • NSC 5202 Theoretical Neuroscience: Systems and Information Processing
    • MATH 5445 or MATH 5447 (the one not taken above)

BS MATHEMATICS EDUCATION SPECIALIZATION

  • Choose one: MATH 4281, MATH 5248, MATH 5251, or MATH 5285H (Theoretical Algebra)
  • Choose one: MATH 4707, MATH 5705, or MATH 5707 (Note: MATH 4707 satisfies the Algebra requirement only for the Math Ed specialization.)
  • MATH 5335 Geometry I
  • Choose one: MATH 4653, MATH 5651, or STAT 5101 (Note: MATH 5651 & STAT 5101 will also fulfill one of the Analysis requirement)
  • IF MATH 4653 was taken, then also:
    • Two courses from the Analysis list
    • Two additional upper-division MATH courses (recommended: MATH 5336, 4242, 5652, STAT 5102)
  • IF MATH 5651 or STAT 5101 was taken, then also:
    • One additional analysis course
    • Three additional upper-division MATH courses (recommended: MATH 5336, 4242, 5652, STAT 5102)
  • Technical elective two-course package

The Math Education specialization will provide the content knowledge for teaching math for grades 5-12. Combine this with the DirecTrack program offered by CEHD to prepare for the teaching licensure process.

BA Mathematics Specializations

BA No Specialization

  • Two Algebra courses, at least one Theoretical
  • Two Analysis courses
  • Two additional upper-division MATH courses
  • MATH 4995 or 4997W CLA Capstone

BA Actuarial Science Specialization

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 4242 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 5651 Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics or STAT 5101
  • MATH 5652 Stochastic Processes
  • MATH 4065 Theory of Interest
  • MATH 5067 Actuarial Mathematics I
  • MATH 5068 Actuarial Mathematics II
  • One CSCI course
  • ECON 1101, 1102
  • ACCT 2051
  • FINA 3001
  • STAT 3021, 3032, 5102
  • One INS from 4105, (4200 or 4205)
  • Recommended: MATH 4067W Actuarial Mathematics in Practice
  • MATH 4995 or 4997W CLA Capstone

BA Computer Applications Specialization

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 5485 Numerical Methods I (an Applied Algebra course)
  • MATH 5486 Numerical Methods II (an Analysis course)
  • One additional course from the Analysis list
  • MATH 5165 Mathematical Logic I
  • One additional computing-related MATH course (4242, 5248, 5251, 5285H, 5286H, 5385, 5705, 5707, 5711)
  • Two 1xxx-level CSCI courses (for example 1103-1913 or 1113-1913 or 1133-1933)
  • CSCI 2011/2011H
  • Two upper-division CSCI courses (4011, 4041, 4061, 4511W, 4611, 5106, 5304, 5421, 5451, 5471, 5511, 5512, 5521, 5523, 5607, 5608, )
  • MATH 4995 or 4997W CLA Capstone

BA Mathematical Biology: Genomics Specialization

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 4242 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 5525 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations or MATH 5535 Dynamical Systems & Chaos
  • MATH 5651 Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics or STAT 5101
  • MATH 4428 Mathematical Modeling
  • One additional upper-division MATH course (for example: MATH 5445 Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks)
  • BIOL 1009/1009H General Biology
  • GCD 3022 Genetics
  • CSCI 5461 or 5481 (note the CSCI prerequisites for these courses)
  • One of the following: (note the prerequisites for the EEB and GCD courses)
    • EEB 5042 Quantitative Genetics
    • GCD 4143 Human Genetics
    • GCD 4151 Molecular Biology of Cancer
    • MATH 5445 Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks (recommended if not taken above)
    • CSCI 5461/5481 (the one not taken above)
  • MATH 4995 or 4997W CLA Capstone 

BA Mathematical Biology: Physiology Specialization

  • One Theoretical Algebra course
  • MATH 4242 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 5525 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations or MATH 5535 Dynamical Systems & Chaos
  • MATH 5651 Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics or STAT 5101
  • MATH 4428 Mathematical Modeling
  • MATH 5445 Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks or MATH 5447 Theoretical Neuroscience
  • BIOL 1009/1009H General Biology
  • PHYS 1301W/1401V
  • PHYS 1302W/1402V
  • CHEM 1061/1071H and 1065/1075H
  • CHEM 1062/1072H and 1066/1076H
  • PHSL 3061 Principles of Physiology
  • One of the following: (note the prerequisites for PHSL and NSC courses)
    • PHSL 4702 Cell Physiology
    • PHSL 5444 Muscle
    • NSC 5202 Theoretical Neuroscience: Systems and Information Processing
    • MATH 5445 or MATH 5447 (the one not taken above)
  • MATH 4995 or 4997W CLA Capstone 

BA Mathematics Education Specialization

  • Choose one: MATH 4281, MATH 5248, MATH 5251 or MATH 5285H (Theoretical Algebra course)
  • Choose one: MATH 4707, MATH 5705, or MATH 5707 (Note: MATH 4707 satisfies the Algebra requirement only for the Math Ed specialization.)
  • MATH 5335 Geometry I
  • Choose one: MATH 4653, MATH 5651, or STAT 5101 (Note: MATH 5651 & STAT 5101 will also fulfill one of the Analysis requirement)
  • One course from the Analysis list
  • One additional course from the Analysis list if MATH 4653 was taken OR one course from the Math Elective list if either MATH 5651 or STAT 5101 was taken
  • MATH 4995 or 4997W CLA Capstone

The Math Education specialization will provide the content knowledge for teaching math for grades 5-12. Combine this with the DirecTrack program offered by CEHD to prepare for the teaching licensure process.

Mathematics Graduate Study Preparation: Pure, Applied, Mathematics Education

Courses to Consider in Preparation for Graduate Studies in Mathematics

  • MATH 3592H/3593H or MATH 1571H/1572H/2573H/2574H/3283W
  • MATH 5615H/5616H Honors: Introduction to Analysis I/II
  • MATH 5285H/5286H Honors: Fundamental Structures of Algebra I/II
  • MATH 5165 Mathematical Logic I
  • MATH 5345H Honors: Introduction to Topology
  • MATH 5378 Differential Geometry
  • MATH 5467 Introduction to the Mathematics of Image and Data Analysis
  • MATH 5485/5486 Introduction to Numerical Methods I/II
  • MATH 5587/5588 Elementary Partial Differential Equations I/II
  • MATH 5583 Complex Analysis
  • MATH 5651 Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics or STAT 5101
  • MATH 8xxx - Contact ugrad@umn.edu for information on 8xxx MATH courses

Choosing and Applying to Graduate School: Pure, Applied, Mathematics Education

Lower-division requirements