B.A./B.S. in Mathematics 2003

The information and requirements given here apply to the 2003, 2004, and 2005 catalogs. For other catalogs, please consult the archive.

Both the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mathematics require a core of basic courses followed by additional courses specific to one of six possible options:

Comprehensive Option: This option prepares students for graduate study in mathematics or applied mathematics.
Computer Science Option: This option is for students interested in applications of computers to mathematical problems, including math majors who plan to attend graduate school in computer science.
Economics or Finance Option: This option is for students with a particular interest in business applications of mathematics, especially those preparing for graduate school in economics or finance.
General/Applied Mathematics Option: This option is for students who intend to enter the job market upon graduation, but may also be appropriate for students who plan to go on to graduate school in a field of science or engineering.
Probability and Statistics Option: This option is for students considering a career as an actuary or statistician, as well as for students wanting to attend graduate school in statistics.
Mathematics Education Option: This option prepares students for teaching mathematics at the secondary school level. The option has two components: a set of courses in mathematics, and a set of courses in teaching and learning mathematics in secondary schools.

Each option involves at least 15 units of 400-level mathematics courses, and each option except Mathematics Education requires the student to complete a minor. Courses in minors must be distinct from those in the major. The official requirements for each option are given in the University Catalog in the form of an Academic Program Requirements Report (APRR). Below we explain the requirements specific to the mathematics major, with links to the APRR for complete requirements. It is important for students to consult with their academic advisor about their choice and order of courses, as well as which optional courses would strengthen their degree program.

The B.A. and B.S. in Mathematics differ in the following ways:

Second Language Proficiency: The B.A. requires 4th semester proficiency, whereas the B.S. requires only 2nd semester proficiency.
Natural Science Requirement: The B.A. requires two Tier One NATS courses and one Tier Two NATS course, whereas the B.S. requires one of the following sequences of laboratory science courses: PHYS131& 181& 132& 182, PHYS 141& 142, PHYS 141& 241, PHYS 151& 152, PHYS 161H& 162H, CHEM103A& 104A& 103B& 104B, CHEM 105A& 106A& 105B& 106B, MCB 181R& 181L& ECOL 182, GEOS251& 302, GEOS 251& 304, GEOS 302& 304.
Application Courses Requirement: This requirements applies only to the B.S. (but not to the Mathematics Education option). Students must complete at least six units of non-math coursework with a prerequisite or corequisite of at least Calculus I (MATH 124 or higher). Choose from the following: CHEM 105A, 105B, 407, 480A; C SC 345, 346, 422, 433, 436, 437, 445, 453, 460, 473; ECON 332, 361, 411, 421; GEOS 322, 356, 411, 419, 431, 432, 434A, 448; PHYS 131, 132, 141, 142,151, 152, 161H, 162H, 204, 241, 242, 251, 252; or courses approved by your academic advisor.

Note for the B.S.: A student may satisfy the Natural Science Requirement and the Application Courses Requirement by completing one of the physics sequences. The University's Tier Two General Education Requirement for Natural Science is satisfied by MATH 215, which is part of the Core Courses (see below).

Core Courses

All six options require the following core courses, which should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.

C SC 127A— Computer Science Principles
MATH 124or MATH 125— Calculus I
MATH 129— Calculus II (*)
MATH 215— Introduction to Linear Algebra
MATH 223— Vector Calculus
MATH 323— Formal Mathematical Reasoning and Writing (†)
MATH 355— Analysis of Ordinary Differential Equations (*)

(*) The pair MATH 129 and MATH 355 may be replaced with MATH 250Aand MATH 250B(Calculus and Differential Equations I and II).

(†) MATH 323 is a writing-emphasis course that is the foundation for the advanced courses taken by any math major. It should be taken as soon as possible and before most of the 400-level courses in the major. Students who do not earn at least a C in MATH 323 should reconsider their choice of major.