Students who are interested in the math major should visit a faculty advisor. During the fall and spring semesters faculty advisors have regular office hours. Students are encouraged to make appointments, but drop in advising is also welcome. During the winter break and the summer semester there are no fixed advising hours. Students should contact one of the advisors directly to set up an appointment. The current list of advisors, their schedule of office hours, and available appointments can be found at the Math advising page.
For advice on college algebra, pre-calculus, and calculus, see the placement advising pages of the department.
Transition courses
All majors are required to complete at least one of the following. It is suggested that majors (and those interested in the major) complete such a course as soon in their academic career as possible.
Course List| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
MATH 341 | Linear Algebra | |
MATH 321 & MATH 322 | Applied Mathematical Analysis and Applied Mathematical Analysis | |
MATH 375 | Topics in Multi-Variable Calculus and Linear Algebra | |
MATH 421 | The Theory of Single Variable Calculus | |
MATH 467 | Introduction to Number Theory | |
Graduate Study
Students preparing for graduate work in mathematics should take the following courses:
Course List| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
| MATH 341 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 375 | Topics in Multi-Variable Calculus and Linear Algebra |
| MATH 521 | Analysis I | 3 |
| MATH 522 | Analysis II | 3 |
| MATH 541 | Modern Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 542 | Modern Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 551 | Elementary Topology | 3 |
| or MATH 561 | Differential Geometry |
| Select at least two other courses at the 500 level or higher | |
Students who plan to enter a mathematics Ph.D. program should acquire a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language as early as possible. For mathematics study, the most useful languages are French, German, and Russian.
In recent years graduating math majors have obtained employment in a variety of jobs in business, industry, and governmental agencies and also have obtained teaching positions at the secondary school level (such teaching positions normally require teaching certification). Others have continued their education at the graduate level in mathematics and other fields. Departments in a variety of fields which use mathematics, including the social and biological sciences as well as in engineering and the physical sciences, are interested in attracting math majors into their graduate programs. Math Ph.D.'s obtain academic positions at the college and university level and nonacademic positions entailing consulting and research. The math major requirements are flexible enough to allow preparation for various goals.
L&S career resources
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students leverage the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and liberal arts degree; explore and try out different career paths; participate in internships; prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications; and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers). In short, SuccessWorks helps students in the College of Letters & Science discover themselves, find opportunities, and develop the skills they need for success after graduation.
SuccessWorks can also assist students in career advising, résumé and cover letter writing, networking opportunities, and interview skills, as well as course offerings for undergraduates to begin their career exploration early in their undergraduate career.
Students should set up their profiles in Handshake to take care of everything they need to explore career events, manage their campus interviews, and apply to jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers around the country.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit, targeted to first- and second-year students)—for more information, see Inter-LS 210: Career Development, Taking Initiative
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Com B General Education Requirement)
- Handshake
- Learn how we’re transforming career preparation: L&S Career Initiative