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Courses posts, Math major

Major requirements

Bachelors Degrees in Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics offers both a BA and a BS degree in Mathematics. The requirements for these are listed below. Additional information for both degrees can be found after the BS requirements section.

The first step in planning your pathway, however, is to first go through the College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Success Center’s Online Orientation.

We have also prepared some sample pathways that could help you plan your degree:

BACHELORS OF ARTS

BA Requirements: 

Students must complete MATH 244, or MATH 253A, as well as 23 credit hours: MATH 480 and 21 credit hours in mathematics courses numbered between 300 and 479¹, which must include:

  • MATH 311 or MATH 307
  • MATH 321
  • MATH 331
  • 3 credit hours in writing-intensive mathematics courses
  • 6 credit hours in mathematics courses 400 or above

MATH 480 should be taken in the student’s final Spring semester before graduation.

¹This interval is imposed in order to exclude certain seminars and reading courses such as 480, 490, 499, 500, 511.

BACHELORS OF SCIENCES

BS Requirements: 

Students must complete PHYS 170/170L and 272/272L, as well as MATH 244, or MATH 253A. In addition, students must complete 41 credit hours: MATH 480 and 39 credit hours in mathematics courses numbered between 300 and 479¹, which must include:

  • MATH 311 or MATH 307
  • MATH 321
  • MATH 331
  • 6 credit hours in writing-intensive mathematics courses
  • 6 credit hours in mathematics courses 400 or above

MATH 480 should be taken in the student’s final Spring semester before graduation.

¹This interval is imposed in order to exclude certain seminars and reading courses such as 480, 490, 499, 500, 511.

At most 15 of the 39 credit hours in mathematics courses numbered from 300 to 479 may be replaced by appropriate non-introductory courses in the natural sciences (see below).

In addition, students must demonstrate an understanding of algorithms and logic, as well as precision of thinking. Courses to satisfy this requirement are MATH 190, 301, 304L, 305L, 407; EE 160; ICS 110c, 110d, 110p, 111, 211; GG250; PHYS 305; ME 360; CEE 417.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION FOR BA AND BS MATHEMATICS MAJORS:

  • All courses counting toward the major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
  • A cumulative 2.0 GPA in all completed 300 and above mathematics courses is required. If a course is repeated, the last attempt counts toward the GPA.
  • MATH 311, 321, 331 can be used for the writing intensive requirement as long as they meet the WI focus. The other writing intensive courses are MATH 412, 413, 420, 431, and 432.
  • MATH 499 may count towards degree requirements only with approval.
  • The UH policy that does not allow double dipping requirements between two majors is applicable, except under special agreements.
  • All mathematics majors are required to see a mathematics advisor each semester prior to registration. If you are unsure about what advising entails, please ask the staff in Keller Hall 419 for details.

Appropriate non-introductory courses in the natural or information sciences

The following science courses may be included in the BS requirement of 15 hours in additional upper division mathematics courses or appropriate non-introductory courses in the natural or information sciences:

  • Chemistry 272 and above
  • ICS 211 and above
  • Physics 274 and above
  • Courses numbered 300 and above in:
    • College of Natural Sciences
    • College of Engineering
    • Marine Biology
    • School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
    • Molecular Bio-sciences and Bio-engineering

All BS mathematics majors are required to receive approval from a mathematics advisor for their 15 credit related courses credit hours.

Courses with content overlap

There are a number of courses in computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics with content overlap. Only one course of each pair shown below may be counted toward mathematics degree requirements. If a mathematics course is included in the 24 required upper division mathematics credits, then the non-mathematics course paired with it may not be used to satisfy the related 15 credits. Neither may both courses in a pair be used to satisfy the related 15 credits.

  • MATH 302 and ME 403
  • MATH 303 and PHYS 400
  • MATH 307 and GG312
  • MATH 373² and ICS 471
  • MATH 407 and (CEE 417, ME 360 or PHYS 305)
  • MATH 471 and EE 342
  • ICS 412 and EE 468
  • ICS 471 and MATH 373²
  • PHYS 305 and (CEE 417, MATH 407 or ME 360)
  • PHYS 400 and MATH 303
  • PHYS 430 and ME 311
  • CEE 417 and (MATH 407, ME 360 or PHYS 305)
  • EE 342 and MATH 471
  • EE 468 and ICS 412
  • ME 311 and PHYS 430
  • ME 360 and (CEE 417, MATH 407 or PHYS 305)
  • ME 403 and MATH 302
  • GG 312 and MATH 307

²MATH 373 last offered Fall 2015.