Major Requirements

Coursework Requirements

Students majoring in mathematics must complete MATH 115 and one of 116/120 (or the equivalent) and at least eight units of 200-level and 300-level courses. These eight units must include 205, 206, 302, 305, and two additional 300-level courses. (Thus a student who places out of 115/116 and starts in 205 requires only eight courses.) At most two of 206, 210 and 215 may be counted towards the major. These courses must be completed for the mathematics major:

  • Math 115: Calculus I and Math 116: Calculus II, or the equivalent
  • Math 205: Multivariable Calculus
  • Math 206: Linear Algebra
  • Math 302: Elements of Analysis I
  • Math 305: Abstract Algebra
  • At least two elective 300-level courses not counting any of 350, 360, 370.

A student may count Math 215/Phys 215 towards her mathematics major. However, she may count at most two of the course 206, 210, and 215 toward the major. Credit for Math 216/Phys 216 satisfies the requirement that a math major take 205, but cannot be counted as one of the 200- or 300-level units required for the major.

Major Presentation Requirement

Majors are also required to present one classroom talk in either their junior or senior year. This requirement can be satisfied with a presentation in the student seminar, but it can also be fulfilled by giving a talk in one of the courses whose catalog description says"Majors can fulfill the major presentation requirement in this course." In addition, a limited number of students may be able to fulfill the presentation requirement in other courses, with permission of the instructor.

Upcoming Events

 

Monday, Sept 30, SCI 362/364

Laura Bruno is this week's speaker in the student seminar. She'll give a talked entitled School's in Session: The Locker Problem. We'll meet in 362 for lunch around 12:20, then head over to 364 around 12:35 to hear the talk.
 

Thursday, Oct 17, SCI 362/396

Ruth Charney from the Brandeis will give the 12th annual Heard Lecture.  The title of her talk is Robotics and Geometry. We'll meet around 3:45 for some refreshments and socializing before heading to room 396 for the talk at 4:15.  Everyone is welcome to attend!  Afterward the department will hold a banquet dinner in honor of the speakers.  Students who are interested in joining us for the dinner should speak with a professor or with Melanie.

 

Want e-updates?

Want to hear about the latest events in the math department via email?  Join the department's Google group by signing up here!