Math Major

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has revised the requirements for the mathematics major, beginning in 2024-25.  The revised major will be more flexible than the prior requirements, allowing students to focus mainly on pure mathematics, applied mathematics, or statistics – or to sample from all of these areas.  

Notes on specific classes

MA120 (Applied Linear Algebra) and MA221 (Advanced Linear Algebra)

MA120 (Applied Linear Algebra) and MA221 (Advanced Linear Algebra) are new courses that will be required for the major. MA221 will have MA120 as a prerequisite.  Starting in 2024-25, these two courses will replace MA220 (Linear Algebra) which will no longer be offered. This change should not affect any student that has already declared a major or minor in mathematics. But if you have already taken MA220 (Linear Algebra), please talk to your academic advisor to discuss any potential changes in your plans. 

MA275 (Sequences and Series)

MA275 (Sequences and Series) is a new course that will be a prerequisite for many upper-level courses beginning in 2024-25.  If you have not already taken MA375 (Real Analysis), you should take MA275 as soon as possible.

Math Major Requirements

Total courses required, assuming no prior credit: 14.

Required Introductory Courses

  • MA120: Applied Linear Algebra
  • MA125: Pre-Calculus & Calculus or MA126: Calculus 1
  • MA129: Calculus 2

Required Mid-Level Courses

  • MA204: Calculus 3
  • MA221: Advanced Linear Algebra
  • MA275: Sequences and Series
  • ONE OF: MA201: Discrete Math, MA237: Statistical Methods 1, or MA251: Number Theory

Required Upper-Level Courses

  • ONE OF: MA321: Abstract Algebra 1 or MA375: Real Analysis 1
  • ONE OF: MA313: Probability or MA315: Ordinary Differential Equations

Electives

  • Four one-unit elective courses, at the 200-level or above (not taken as required courses)
  • At most one course can be at the 200 level. The department maintains a list of non-mathematics courses that can substitute for this 200-level elective
  • At least one of these electives must be at the 400-level
  • Independent study course (MA255, MA355, MA455) cannot be used to satisfy this requirement

Thesis

  • Students must complete a senior thesis, which includes taking MA499 and presenting their work in a written thesis as well as a departmental talk or poster.

Talk Attendance

Prerequisite Revisions

Existing Math courses and their new prerequisites for the 2024-25 academic school year

Course

Prerequisites Beginning in 2024-25

MA110: Mathematical Explorations

None

MA117: Elem Prob and Stats

None

MA120: Applied Linear Algebra

None

MA125/MA126: Calculus 1

None

MA129: Calculus 2

MA125 or MA126

MA201: Foundations of Discrete Mathematics

Any two of: MA117, MA217, MA120, MA125, MA126, MA129 or equivalent

MA204: Calculus 3

MA129

MA217: Intro Probability and Statistics

MA125 or MA126. No Credit after MA117

MA221: Advanced Linear Algebra

MA120 Applied Linear Algebra and one of: MA117, MA217, MA125, MA126, MA129 or equivalent

MA237: Statistical Methods 1

MA217 or (MA117 and either MA125 or MA126)

MA251: Number Theory

Any two of: MA117, MA217, MA120, MA125, MA126, MA129 or equivalent

MA256: Mathematical Biology

MA120, either MA125 or MA126 and 1 college biology course

MA275: Sequences and Series

MA129

MA300: Geometry

MA120 and any two of: MA201, MA221, MA251, MA275

MA313: Probability

MA120 and MA204

MA315: Ordinary Differential Equations

MA120 and MA275

MA321: Abstract Algebra 1

MA221 and MA251

MA325: Graph Theory

MA120 and either MA201 or MA251

MA375: Real Analysis 1

MA204 and MA275 and one of (MA201, MA221 or MA251)

MA400: Topology

Mathematics 375

MA408: History of Mathematics

(Mathematics 321 and 375) or one of these courses and consent of instructor

MA410: Complex Analysis

consent of instructor or Mathematics 375.

MA416: Partial Differential Equations

Mathematics 315 or some experience with ordinary differential equations with consent of instructor

MA417: Mathematical Statistics

MA313 and either MA117 or MA217

MA418: Numerical Analysis

Mathematics 315 or some experience of ordinary differential equations with consent of instructor

MA421: Abstract Algebra 2

MA321

MA475: Real Analysis 2

MA375

Report an issue - Last updated: 08/12/2024