Welcome to UW-Madison! If you’re reading this, then you are likely considering a major in mathematics. The Department of Mathematics offers a number of options for our undergraduate major program. Below is some information on the math major, things to keep in mind, and how to connect with a math advisor for some initial advising before you begin coursework this coming semester.
If you are a first-year student, even one with significant amounts of college credit, we would like for you to review the information in each step below and attend SOAR before contacting a math major advisor. Your SOAR advisor will have access to Math consultants who can review your record and make course recommendations. Information on advising is included in step 5.
If you are a transfer student and you have expressed interest in the Mathematics major as part of your SOAR reservation, you will have an opportunity to interact with a Mathematics major advisor (Dr Mitch Keller, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies) during SOAR. For in-person transfer SOAR, Dr Keller will be on site for advising with the College of Letters & Science. For virtual transfer SOAR, you may be assigned Dr Keller as your SOAR advisor if Mathematics is your only or primary major of interest. If you have multiple majors of interest and are assigned a SOAR advisor from another program, note that Dr Keller works closely with advisors from across campus and can help answer your questions through your SOAR advisor.
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Step 1: Review Your Transfer Credit
If you have transfer credits coming in, you should review the math courses that you’ve received transfer credit for and make sure that the equivalencies seem correct. If you feel that the equivalencies may not be correct, the New Student page has information on how to go about requesting a reevaluation. Please note that if you have already submitted syllabi for a reevaluation, it is extremely unlikely that the evaluation will be changed.
We strongly suggest that you work to get all your materials for a reevaluation as soon as possible so that they can be reevaluated in time for the start of the semester. Course reevaluations may affect your course selection for the upcoming semester (and beyond)!
It would be helpful if you could keep copies of your syllabi and unofficial transcripts on hand, in case they are useful in your meeting with a math major advisor.
If you are missing transfer credits (via AP/IB/college coursework) that should be posted to your student record, please review the New Student page (see the AP Scores, Transfer Credit, Reevaluations & More section) for directions on who to contact to get the credits posted.
Students that are unable to receive credit for MATH 221, 222, and/or 234 for whatever reason (they did not take the AP/IB exams, their transfer credit was not reevaluated as such, they took substantial calculus coursework that can’t be transferred to UW-Madison, etc.) are encouraged to review the Calculus Credit by Examination page. If you feel qualified to do so, you can consider registering for one or more of the exams listed. (Note that you can only take a credit exam for a particular course once, but you are welcome to take the associated exam for multiple courses.)
Students can change their course schedule up until add/drop deadlines after a reevaluation decision has been made, or after a credit exam has been passed.
Step 2: Review Initial Advising Information & Suggested Enrollment
Regardless of your particular plans and goals, there are three things all majors must accomplish on their way to completing the program: The calculus sequence, a course in linear algebra, and a core intermediate experience.
- The calculus sequence: the calculus sequence is numbered as MATH 221, 222, and 234. If you have not completed this sequence; if you are awaiting transfer credits; or if you plan on taking the calculus credit exam, we STRONGLY suggest enrolling in a calculus course you qualify for. If/when credits post, we can assist you in updating your enrollment.
- Linear algebra: students enrolling in the fall semester have the following linear algebra options: MATH 320, 340, 341, and 375. Note that in all versions of the major and certificate, only one of the following courses may be used to fulfill any of the requirements. MATH 320, 340, and 341 are also offered in the spring semester. Please review our linear algebra page for more details on these courses.
- Core intermediate course: these courses serve as an introduction to the techniques, vocabulary, and methods of thought of advanced-level undergraduate mathematics. You can find more information on our introduction to proof page.
Here is the suggested enrollment for your first semester based on your credits:
- If you have credit for MATH 221 and 222…
- Enroll in MATH 234 and one of (MATH 320 or 340).
- If you have credit for MATH 221, 222, and 234:
- If you are interested in taking MATH 321/322 sequence (or traditional applied mathematics related to physical sciences and/or engineering) then enroll in MATH 320.
- Consider adding some programming and/or physics to your first term courses.
- If you are interested in a more general mathematics major then enroll in:
- MATH 341 (only if you do not already have credit for neither MATH 320 nor MATH 340) or
- One of (MATH 320 or 340) and one of (MATH 421 or 467).
- If you are interested in taking MATH 321/322 sequence (or traditional applied mathematics related to physical sciences and/or engineering) then enroll in MATH 320.
- If you have credit for MATH 221, 222, 234, and a linear algebra course:
- If you have credit for MATH 320 then enroll in MATH 421 OR 467 OR 321.
- If you have credit for MATH 340 then enroll in MATH 421 OR 467 OR (MATH 319 and 321).
- Finally, if you are interested in enrolling in more math courses than recommended above, or if you have so much transfer credit that the above categories do not apply to you, then make plans to speak with a major advisor (information below in Step 5). This applies particularly if you have had an introduction to writing formal mathematical proofs that transferred as electives. UW-Madison does not offer a standalone introduction to proofs course, but mathematics major advisors can make exceptions to prerequisites for students who have transcript credit for such a course at the college level.
Step 3: Check Out Our Major Overview
- Overview: This page gives some broad information about our major programs, and some general differences between our standard major and our named options programs.
- Getting Started: Here you can find information on major program entrance requirements, general major requirements, early major planning, and course restrictions.
- Major Program Options: We offer a number of named options for our major program, which are listed here.
- Honors in the Major: Students who are interested in our Honors in the Major program should refer to this page for some more information.
Step 4: Review Enrollment Policies
The New Student page has some detailed information on the Math Department’s enrollment practices. However, there are a few important things to note:
- In general, we strictly enforce prerequisites on all of our math courses, so students are expected to satisfy the prerequisites or place into a course before enrolling in subsequent courses.
- Students should not contact individual instructors for enrollment permission.
- Students that would like to enroll in a waitlisted section of a course should attempt to enroll in an open section of the course if possible. Otherwise, enrolling on the waitlist is the next best route to take. Note that waitlisting for a course does not guarantee enrollment; the only guarantee to enroll in a course is to enroll in an open section. Students are expected to check their emails daily to check if they have been given permission to enroll off of the waitlist, as waitlist permissions do expire after a certain time.
If you are having issues with math course enrollment despite meeting the prerequisites for courses, you can feel free to reach out to the Undergraduate Program Manager (placement@math.wisc.edu) for some assistance. You should have a PDF copy of your (un)official transcripts on hand just in case it needs to be reviewed.
If you are having trouble with non-math course enrollment, please contact the appropriate department permission contact.
Step 5: Speak with an Advisor
Once you’ve read through the provided materials and attended SOAR, feel free to reach out to Dr Mitch Keller (mitch.keller@wisc.edu) via email. Appointments with him will be available through Starfish. Dr Keller will also be available at in-person transfer SOAR sessions for the College of Letters & Science. He plans to meet with students who expressed interest in the Mathematics major as part of their SOAR registration, but you can also ask your SOAR advisor to connect you with him there.