Course Suggestions for Math Majors

Mathematics has always been at the heart of liberal arts education, and the field is both broad and deep. Our major requirements give students the flexibility to explore the breadth of mathematics and statistics or to focus more narrowly on one area. Students who want to be prepared for a specific pathway after graduation should consider choosing courses that will help prepare them for that pathway. The following suggestions include courses that you may already be planning to take to meet the major requirements, or they may include additional courses not required for the major. Some of the suggested course lists are quite extensive and represent the ideal preparation for graduate school or a career pathway. Please keep in mind that you should not consider any doors closed if you are not able to take all the recommended courses; our alumni have gone on to succeed in many different career paths with a wide variety of backgrounds. For more information, please consult your advisor or any other faculty members in the department.

Graduate School in Pure Mathematics

Graduate School in Applied Mathematics

  • MA321 (Abstract Algebra I)
  • MA375 and MA475 (Real Analysis I and II)
  • MA313 (Probability)
  • MA315 (Ordinary Differential Equations)
  • MA416 (Partial Differential Equations)
  • MA418 (Numerical Analysis)
  • A selection of courses in statistics and/or computer programming

Graduate School in Statistics

  • MA217 (Intro. Probability and Statistics)
  • MA237 (Statistical Methods)
  • MA313 (Probability)
  • MA417 (Mathematical Statistics)
  • MA375 (Real Analysis I)
  • A selection of additional courses in statistics and/or computer programming

Teaching High School

  • MA201 (Discrete Mathematics)
  • MA217 (Intro. Probability and Statistics)
  • MA251 (Number Theory)
  • MA300 (Geometry)
  • MA408 (History of Mathematics)
  • A selection of: MA256 (Mathematical Biology), MA315 (Ordinary Differential Equations), MA325 (Graph Theory)

Actuarial Sciences

  • MA217 (Intro. Probability and Statistics)
  • MA237 (Statistical Methods)
  • MA313 (Probability)
  • MA417 (Mathematical Statistics)
Report an issue - Last updated: 01/16/2025