Degree Programs

The Major in Mathematics is the primary major of our department. When choosing this major, students must also choose one of the below three tracks. Although all are technically “Majors in Mathematics,” students often refer to (1) as the “Pure Math Major,” to (2) as the “Applied Math Major,” and to (3) as the “Statistics Major.”

1. Track in Pure Mathematics
2. Track in Applied Mathematics
3. Track in Statistics

Please note that our major was revised for the 2022-2023 academic year. Students who declared their math major prior to Fall 22 can continue to follow the old combined Pure and Applied Math track if they wish. (But they may also switch to the current version of the major if they like.)

Our department also offers five majors jointly with other departments in CAS. These are not double majors; they are single majors that draw on coursework from two departments, allowing students to obtain a greater breadth of knowledge in the timeframe of a single major.

• Economics and Mathematics
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Mathematics and Mathematics Education
• Mathematics and Philosophy
• Mathematics and Physics
• Statistics and Computer Science

• Students wishing to focus primarily on mathematics or statistics are encouraged to choose the Major in Mathematics. The requirements for this major consist of lower division courses (at the 100 and 200 level) and upper division courses (at the 300 level and above). The lower division requirements for the Pure, Applied, and Statistics tracks are quite similar, and so students often do not choose their track until they are beginning to register for upper division courses.
• Students who are not as interested in learning as much in-depth material about mathematics or statistics, but are instead interested in increasing their breadth of knowledge, are encouraged to consider choosing one of the Joint Majors. Fulfilling requirements for Joint Majors are also a reasonable way for students to choose courses when they are not yet sure about their preference between the two subjects. It is not uncommon for a student pursuing a Joint Major to later switch to a double major in the two subjects, or to switch to a major/minor pair involving the two subjects, once they have a better sense of what their interests are and how much time they have in their degree program for pursuing additional coursework.

Our department offers three minors: Mathematics Minor; Statistics Minor, Mathematical Statistics Track; and Statistics Minor, Statistical Methods Track. The difference between the two Statistics Minor tracks is that the Mathematical Statistics track provides a rigorous grounding in the theory and methods for the analysis of data, with a focus on probability theory and statistical principles, while the Statistical Methods track provides a firm background on a wide array of statistical methods to enable students to reason statistically across diverse application areas. 

Students may wish to add a minor to their degree program to indicate that they have a good background in mathematics or statistics, in addition to the area of their primary degree. Here you can find the general list of undergraduate courses and graduate courses offered through our department that can be used to fulfill minor requirements.

The Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs are linked bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in which the two degrees are conferred sequentially. Students entering the BA-to-MA in Mathematics program elect one of two options: mathematics or statistics. Please see the CAS Bachelor’s-to-Master’s page for further details, including admissions requirements and application instructions.

Please see our Courses and Registration page.