BA/BS in Mathematics

This major is intended for students who wish to study mathematics, whether as part of a broader interdisciplinary program or as in-depth training for a mathematics-focused career. There is no distinction between the BA and BS degrees. For more information, please review the Mathematics Major Concentration Checklist. Review a current list of electives.

Program Requirements and Policies

• Majors matriculating prior to Fall 2023 must take ten courses beyond Calculus II (Math 34).
• Majors matriculating Fall 2023 or later must take eleven courses beyond Calculus II (Math 34).
• Majors matriculating prior to Fall 2023 may also choose to use the set of course requirements for majors matriculating Fall 2023 and later. We encourage students to speak with their major advisor about how to plan for a degree that aligns with their future goals.
• Students in the School of Engineering may, with certain exceptions, choose mathematics as a second area of concentration. To do so, a student must notify the dean of engineering through the Department of Mathematics at least one semester before graduation. The student must complete a program that simultaneously satisfies the conditions for a degree from the School of Engineering and the concentration requirements of the Department of Mathematics.
• Majors are advised to complete Math 42 or 44 and Math 70 or 72 by the end of their second year, and are encouraged to take Math 61 (Discrete Mathematics), Math 63 (Number Theory), or Math 65 (Bridge to Higher Mathematics) to prepare themselves for the proofs in higher-level mathematics courses. (Math 72 can serve this purpose as well.)

Course Requirements

For Majors Matriculating Prior to Fall 2023

To major in mathematics, a student must take ten courses beyond Calculus II (Math 34). Please refer to the Mathematics Major Concentration Checklist Matriculating Prior to Fall 2023 for more details. These courses must include:

• The following five courses:
  1. Math 42: Calculus III or Math 44: Honors Calculus
  2. Math 70: Linear Algebra or Math 72: Abstract Linear Algebra
  3. Math 135: Real Analysis I
  4. Math 145: Abstract Algebra I
  5. Math 136: Real Analysis II or Math 146: Abstract Algebra II
• Two additional 100-level mathematics courses
• Three electives, which may include mathematics courses numbered 50 or above and up to two approved courses in related fields.

*Students who aim at graduate school in mathematics are advised to take both Math 136: Real Analysis II and Math 146: Abstract Algebra II.

For Majors Matriculating Fall 2023 or Later

To major in mathematics, a student must take eleven courses as follows. These courses must include:

• Five courses required of all majors:
  1. Math 42: Calculus III
  2. Math 70: Linear Algebra
  3. Transition Course (1 Required): 61, 63, 65, 87, 123, 133, 155, or 171
  4. Math 135: Real Analysis I
  5. Math 145: Abstract Algebra I    
      
• Three additional 100-level courses, which must include either Math 136: Real Analysis II or Math 146: Abstract Algebra II.    
   
• Three additional mathematics courses numbered 50 or higher (in the new numbering scheme). With the approval of the Mathematics Department, students may also choose 2 of these electives to be courses with strong mathematical content that are not listed as Math courses.