Department Requirements

Requirements for the Major in Mathematics

A major consists of at least eight courses numbered 200 or higher, including Mathematics 200 and 201 (or their equivalents), and a course numbered in the 300s. Students who have already mastered the material in Mathematics 200 or 201 may substitute a more advanced course after receiving approval from the department chair. Courses must be passed with a C- or better (including Credit) to count toward the major.

A student must submit a planned program of courses to the department when he or she declares a major. That program should include both theoretical and applied mathematics courses, and it may be changed later with the approval of the departmental advisor.

The requirement of a 300-level course is meant to ensure that all majors have sufficient experience in at least one specific area of mathematics. Those areas are algebra (Mathematics 201, 262, and 302); analysis (Mathematics 233, 263, and 303); applied mathematics (Mathematics 224, 264, and 304); probability and statistics (Mathematics 225, 265, and 305); and geometry (Mathematics 247 and 307).

In exceptional circumstances, a student may substitute a quantitative course from another department for one of the eight mathematics courses required for the major, but such a substitution must be approved in advance by the department. Without specific departmental approval, no course that counts toward another department’s major or minor may be counted toward a mathematics major or minor.

Majors who have demonstrated that they are capable of intensive advanced work are encouraged to undertake independent study projects. With the prior approval of the department, such a project counts toward the major requirement and may lead to graduation with honors in mathematics.

Requirements for the Minor in Mathematics

A minor in mathematics consists of a minimum of four courses numbered 200 or higher. Courses must be passed with a C- or better (including Credit) to count toward the minor.

Interdisciplinary Majors

The department participates in interdisciplinary programs in computer science and mathematics and mathematics and economics.

Recommended Courses

Listed below are some of the courses recommended to students with the indicated interests.

For secondary school teaching:
Computer Science 101, Mathematics 201, 225, 232, 247, 258, 262, 263, 265.

For graduate study:
Mathematics 200, 201, 233, 262, 263, and at least one course numbered in the 300s.

For engineering and applied mathematics:
Mathematics 201, 204 (same as Biology 174), 224, 225, 233, 244, 258, 264, 265, 304.

For mathematical economics and econometrics:
Mathematics 201 or 225, 229, 244, 258, 263, 265, 304, 305, and Economics 316.

For statistics:
Mathematics 201, 224, 225, 235, 244, 265, 305.

For computer science:
Computer Science 231, 289; Mathematics 200, 201, 225, 229, 244, 258, 262, 265.

For operations research and management science:
Mathematics 200, 201, 225, 229, 258, 265, 305, and Economics 316.