Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Mathematics
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Mathematics Major

Overview

Two degrees in Mathematics are offered: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. B.A. is the more flexible study program; B.S. is more extensive.

Students who consider majoring in mathematics are strongly encouraged to talk to a mathematics major advisor as soon as possible. There are no prerequisites for declaring the mathematics major.

Students who wish to teach mathematics at the secondary school level should satisfy the requirements for the B.S. in mathematics and dually enroll in the School of Education. For further information about mathematics education, see "Education/Arts and Sciences (dual program)" in the SU catalog.

Students who plan to pursue graduate study in mathematics should obtain the B.S. degree and consider taking at least one first-year graduate (600-level) course.

Preliminary Requirements

As a preliminary requirement for the mathematics major, students complete 18 credits in the following classes with no grade below a C: MAT 295, 296, 331, 397, and MAT 275. These courses are prerequisites for most upper-division courses. The following sequence is recommended: MAT 295 in the first semester; MAT 296 in the second semester; MAT 331, 397 in the third semester; and MAT 275 when appropriate (as advised by a math major advisor). Computer science students (only) who have credit for CIS 275, and are pursuing a dual major in mathematics, need not take MAT 275.

However, students with knowledge of trigonometry and a year of high school calculus may be able to enter the sequence at MAT 296 or even MAT 397; students with less preparation may be advised to complete MAT 194 before beginning the calculus sequence.

B.A. Degree Requirements

In addition to the preliminary requirement described above, students are required to complete with an average of at least 2.0 and no grade below D, MAT 412 and 15 additional credits in upper division mathematics (MAT) courses numbered 400 or higher except 485, at least two of which are from a single one of the groupings below.

With consent of the advisor, these groupings may be altered.

B.S. Degree Requirements

Students interested in pursuing the B.S. degree in mathematics, obtain, in advance, the approval of a mathematics advisor and the department chair with a petition to the effect that the upper division courses to be taken satisfy the requirement for a B.S. degree.

To complete a BS degree, in addition to the preliminary requirement described above, the student is required to complete the following courses with an average of at least 2.0 and no grade below a D:

With the prior approval of the mathematics major advisor, a student may substitute another mathematics (MAT) course numbered 490 or higher for the MAT 412 requirement. Up to 6 credits in advanced courses in other departments that have been approved in advance by the student's mathematics major advisor may be included in the 12 credits.

Distinction in Mathematics is awarded by the Mathematics Department upon completion of a B.S. in Mathematics with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4, a minimum GPA of 3.6 in mathematics (MAT) courses at the 300+ level, and either an A or A- in the Senior Seminar or a high-quality Honors Thesis. See the Mathematics Department undergraduate advisor for additional requirements.