Standard Major Program or Named Option?
The standard major in mathematics requires 7 courses in mathematics for 21 credits beyond the calculus sequence. It focuses on depth and breadth at the advanced level and features coursework in historically core areas of modern mathematics: analysis, algebra, and topology. Our standard major should be the major of choice for any mathematics student with a broad interest in mathematics, interest in our Honors program, interest in graduate study in mathematics, or are interested in completing their undergraduate career quickly.
Named Options Programs in Mathematics
The major offers a variety of named options (formerly known as Option 2 math major programs) which allow a major to focus on those topics in mathematics which have a strong relationship to another area of study. These areas are related to statistics, economics, computer science, mathematics education, and the physical sciences (amongst others).
Complete details of the requirements for a named option program can be found in the Guide. Because of the number of ways in which these programs can be completed, it is important for any interested student to meet with a mathematics advisor in order to construct an initial plan before declaring the major.
The information below describes the named options and highlights topics and courses worthy of special consideration.
General Requirements and Notes for All Named Options
In general, all named option programs will have the following requirements:
- A course in linear algebra (MATH 320, 340, 341, or 375);
- An intermediate-level “transition” course or sequence (MATH 321/2, 341, 375, 421, or 467);
- A minimum of two advanced MATH courses (numbered 500 and above);
- A minimum of 18 credits in MATH from no fewer than six courses above the 300-level;
- A minimum of 30 credits total spread across at least ten courses.
Any additional course/credit/level requirements are specific to each named option and students should refer to the Guide for complete descriptions.
Notes
- Be aware that the information below describes initial collections of courses and ideas worth considering which fulfill major requirements. Please refer to the Guide for all possible courses which can be applied to your named option plan and meet with an advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you;
- Course suggestions may have prerequisites;
- Courses offered by departments/schools/colleges besides mathematics may have restricted enrollment.
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Mathematics for Data Science
For students interested in mathematics inspired by or used in the field of Data Science or who wish to use these tools in many other fields.
Students interested in this option should choose coursework focused on linear algebra, probability, data science programming or modeling, numerical and optimization methods, and the mathematics of data.
The precise description of the requirements of this named option is available in the Guide.
If you are interested in this option then please meet with a math faculty advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.
- Linear Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375
- Probability: MATH 309, 431, 531
- Numerical and Optimization Methods: MATH 513, 514, 525, 425, 443
- Mathematics of Data: MATH 535
- Data Science Core: COMP SCI 320 or STAT 340
Mathematics for Economics and Finance
This option is inspired by interesting problems and applications in certain areas of business and economics (operations management, financial modeling, market behavior, and so on).
The mathematics is built around analysis, which allows us to link together different mathematical areas. For example: the theory of differential equations, which we use to model systems in order to make specific predictions on outcomes, with the theory of probability, which we use to model systems which have a variety of unknown outcomes. In addition to these topics, we recommend a strong background in linear algebra.
The precise description of the requirements of this named option is available in the Guide.
If you are interested in this option then please meet with a math faculty advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.
- Linear Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 443, 540
- Differential Equations: MATH 319, 320, 376, 415
- Probability and Statistics: MATH 309, 431, 310, 531
- Analysis: MATH 321-2 sequence, 421, 521(this is a required class for this program).
- Introductory Econ/Finance Sequences: [Microeconomics (ECON 301 or 311) and Macroeconomics (ECON 302 or 312)] or [FIN 300 and 320]
Mathematics for the Physical and Biological Sciences
Mathematics and the natural sciences have had a long and fruitful relationship since the dawn of humanity. This named option may be of interest to any mathematics student with a strong interest in physics, chemistry, biology, and most areas of engineering.
The precise description of the requirements of this named option is available in the Guide.
If you are interested in this option then please meet with a math faculty advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.
Students interested in this named option should focus on linear algebra, differential equations, geometry, and analysis.
- Linear Algebra and Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 540, 541
- Differential Equations: MATH 319, 320, 376, 519, 619
- Geometry and Topology: MATH 551, 561
- Real and Complex Analysis: MATH 321 and 322, 421, 514, 521, 623
- Other topics: MATH 531
- Core Natural Science: Physics 247/207/201/EMA 201 and Physics 248/208/202
Mathematics for Programming and Computing
The areas of mathematics of interest here are often grouped as “discrete” and include topics in algebra, probability, and number theory. However, analysis plays an extremely strong role in unexpected ways. For example: an iterative system which builds successive approximations can be thought of as a sequence. So questions about how well that system works can be restated as questions about if the sequence has a limit, how quickly the sequence converges to that limit, and so on.
The precise description of the requirements of this named option is available in the Guide.
If you are interested in this option then please meet with a math faculty advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.
- Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 540, 541
- Analysis: MATH 321-2, 421, 514, 521
- Probability: MATH 309, 431, 531, 535
- Number Theory: MATH 467, 567
- Other areas of interest include combinatorics (MATH 475) and logic (MATH 571)
- Students should also aim to complete the standard introductory programming sequence: CS 300 and 400
Mathematics for Secondary Education
This option is designed with input from our own School of Education to cover all core areas of mathematics expected of a secondary instructor in the context of a mathematics major.
The precise description of the requirements of this named option is available in the Guide.
If you are interested in this option then please meet with a math faculty advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.
- Linear Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375
- Analysis: MATH 421, 521
- Algebra: MATH 540, 541
- Probability/Combinatorics: MATH 309, 431, 475, 531
- Statistics: STAT 301, 302, 312, 324, MATH 310, ECON 310
- History of Mathematics: MATH 473
- Geometry: MATH 461
- Capstone: MATH 471
Mathematics for Statistical Analysis and Risk Assessment
For students interested in mathematics inspired by or used in the fields of Statistics, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Bio-Statistics, and many others.
Students interested in this option should choose coursework focused on linear algebra, probability, statistics, analysis, and computational mathematics.
The precise description of the requirements of this named option is available in the Guide.
If you are interested in this option then please meet with a math faculty advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.
- Linear Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 540
- Probability: MATH 309, 431, 531, 535
- Statistics: MATH 310
- Analysis: MATH 321 and 322, 421, 521
- Numerical Methods: MATH 514
- Stat/Risk Core: ACT SCI 303 or (STAT 333 and STAT 424) or (STAT 340 and STAT 424)
For students who graduated in Summer 2023 or before, this named option was called “Mathematics for Data and Risk Analysis.” The name change effective Fall 2023 more accurately reflects the coursework; there were no changes to the requirements for the named option.