BA in Mathematics

Earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mathematics degree through the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

Why major in Math?

Lower division requirements 

All Math majors and minors must complete at least one of these two introductory sequences.

*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: Two MATH 4xxx or 5xxx courses. Note that MATH 4067W, 49XX, and 59XX do not count toward this requirement.
  • Capstone/Senior Project

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

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

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

  • After successfully completing the following courses with a C- or better:
    • MATH 1271: Calculus I
    • MATH 1272: Calculus II
    • MATH 2243: Linear Algebra & Differential Equations or MATH 2263: Multivariable Calculus
  • Before earning 60 credits. Undecided students with 60 or more credits will be subject to a registration hold until they declare a 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.

Specialization details

Comparing BA, BS, and minor requirements

The BA and minor in Mathematics are offered through CLA, while the BS in Mathematics is offered through the College of Science & Engineering (CSE).

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Comparison: Lower division requirements

Comparison: Lower division requirements

 BS Math Major (CSE)BA Math Major (CLA)Math Minor (CLA)
Physics
  • Physics I (PHYS 1301W/1401V/1501V)
  • Physics II (PHYS 1302W/1402V/1502V)
  • Physics III (PHYS 2303/2503/2503H)
Not required*Not required
Computer Science

Choose one: 

  • Java (CSCI 1103)
  • C/C++ (CSCI 1113)
  • Python (CSCI 1133) 
Not required*Not required
Prerequisites for declaring a major or minor
  • Calculus I (MATH 1271)
  • Calculus II (MATH 1272)
  • Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (MATH 2243) or Multivariable Calculus (MATH 2263)
  • Physics I (PHYS 1301W)
  • Physics II (PHYS 1302W)
  • Calculus I (MATH 1271)
  • Calculus II (MATH 1272)
  • Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (MATH 2243) or Multivariable Calculus (MATH 2263)
  • Calculus I (MATH 1271)
  • Calculus II (MATH 1272)
  • Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (MATH 2243) or Multivariable Calculus (MATH 2263)


*Additional Physics and Computer Science requirements may exist depending on the Math specialization chosen.

Comparison: Upper division requirements

Comparison: Upper division requirements

 BS Math Major (CSE)BA Math Major (CLA)Math Minor (CLA)
Algebra2 courses, one of which must be a Theoretical Algebra course.2 courses, one of which must be a Theoretical Algebra course.Not required
Analysis2 courses2 coursesNot required
Math electives4 MATH 4xxx/5xxx courses2 MATH 4xxx/5xxx courses2 MATH 4xxx/5xxx courses
Capstone/senior projectNot requiredRequiredNot required
Technical electives2 courses**Not requiredNot 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).

Contact

Undergraduate Mathematics Office
115 Vincent Hall

ugrad@math.umn.edu
612-625-4848