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 BA/MA program offers students with a strong academic record the opportunity to complete a BA and an MA as part of a joint program, while potentially taking fewer courses than if the two degrees were completed separately. Students can choose to complete this program either in Mathematics or in Statistics.

In order to apply to the BA/MA program, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, students must have completed at least two mathematics or statistics courses at the 500 level or above, and those courses must be relevant to the MA track they are applying for. The application should be submitted no earlier than the fourth semester and no later than the sixth semester of their studies. Please consult this information about applying to the BA/MA program, which includes all relevant forms and deadlines. In particular, the application must include:

1. A completed study plan, available at the above link, signed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
2. Two letters of recommendation from faculty. See the above link for the faculty recommendation forms. For students in the Mathematics track, one of these must be from the student’s proposed mentor for their MA Thesis (ie comprehensive exam), and that letter must discuss the subject of the thesis project.
3. An unofficial transcript.
4. The completed online application form, available at the above link.

In order to successfully complete the BA/MA program students must meet the following requirements:

• The BA/MA program requires that students complete the CAS BA requirements (e.g., the HUB and the requirements of the major), as well as 8 additional courses at the 500 level or above for the MA which do not overlap with the courses used in completing the major requirements. The total number of credits required for the BA and MA degree is 144 (or 36 four credit courses). Note that completing a BA and MA separately requires 160 credits. Although some students are able to complete this BA/MA program in four years, many students do so in five years.
• Students must pass the comprehensive exam (in either Mathematics or Statistics, depending on the track of the MA) at the MA level; see this page on the MA in Mathematics or this page on the MA in Statistics for more details.
• Courses taken for the MA portion of the BA/MA program must be passed with a grade of B- or above.

Further remarks:

• It is possible to complete the BA and MA portions in different tracks within the major. For instance, a student may complete the BA portion in Applied Mathematics and the MA portion in Statistics.
• The BA/MA program is generally not available for joint majors. An exception is the BA/MA Program in Economics and Mathematics, where the MA portion of the degree is in Economics.

Please see our Courses and Registration page.