Majors

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers two majors. The A.B. major is designed for students planning graduate study or employment outside mathematics (medicine, law, business, finance, journalism, government service, or precollege teaching). The B.S. major is designed for students planning graduate study or employment in mathematics. Any student contemplating a math major or minor, and whose faculty advisor is not in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, is strongly urged to consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

It is recommended that students considering majoring in mathematics take Introduction to Proof and Problem Solving (2800) following Calculus II and no later than Fall of their Sophomore year. This course gives students a good understanding of what is involved in higher mathematics and will help them decide if they want to be a math major.

Majors may consider applying for Mathematics Honors in which they perform a research project in their senior year with a mathematics faculty mentor leading to a substantial paper and an oral presentation.

Note: Effective Fall 2023, all main campus courses have been renumbered using a new 4-digit numbering system.

https://schedule.georgetown.edu/course-renumbering-crosswalk/m/#math

A.B. Mathematics Major

The AB degree requires a total of 10 courses.

  • MATH-1360 Calculus II (Prerequisite: Calculus I (MATH-1350), four credits of Calculus AP credit, or passing a departmental exam.)
  • MATH-2250 Linear Algebra
  • MATH-2370 Multivariable Calculus
  • MATH-2410 Ordinary Differential Equations (Prerequisite: MATH-2370; Co-requisite: MATH-2250)
  • MATH-2800 Introduction to Proof and Problem Solving (Prerequisite: B or better in MATH-1360 or department approval)
  • MATH-3210 Abstract Algebra (Prerequisite: MATH-2800 or permission of instructor)
  • MATH-3310 Analysis I (Prerequisite: MATH-2800 or permission of instructor)
  • 3 Mathematics electives at the 2000+ level

The four core courses, Calculus II (MATH-1360), Linear Algebra (MATH-2250), Multivariable Calculus (MATH-2370), and Introduction to Proof and Problem Solving (MATH-2800), introduce basic mathematical concepts as well as develop students’ mathematical reasoning and communication skills. Students will further develop abstract reasoning skills in the required upper level courses Abstract Algebra (MATH-3210) and Analysis I (MATH-3310).

An upper level course may be substituted for Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus, or Linear Algebra for students passing the corresponding departmental waiver test.

B.S. Mathematics Major

The BS degree is normally for students interested in graduate studies in a quantitative subject, and as such, students with this major are expected to keep at least a B average in their mathematics courses. This degree requires a total of 13 courses.

  • MATH-1360 Calculus II (Prerequisite: Calculus I (MATH-1350), four credits of Calculus AP credit, or passing a departmental exam.
  • MATH-2140 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics.  DSAN-5100 may be used as a substitute for MATH-2140. Students who have taken ECON-2110 should take one Statistics elective at the 2000+ level instead of MATH-2140.
  • MATH-2250 Linear Algebra
  • MATH-2370 Multivariable Calculus
  • MATH-2410 Ordinary Differential Equations (Prerequisite: MATH-2370; Co-requisite: MATH-2250)
  • MATH-2800 Introduction to Proof and Problem Solving (Prerequisite: B or better in MATH-1360 or department approval.)
  • MATH-3210 Abstract Algebra (Prerequisite: MATH-2800 or permission of instructor)
  • MATH-3310 Analysis I (Prerequisite: MATH-2800 or permission of instructor)
  • MATH-3320 Complex Analysis or MATH 4534 Complex Variables (Prerequisite: MATH-3310 or permission of instructor)
  • 3 Mathematics electives at the 2000+ level

Corollary Course Requirement:

  • Programming course: MATH-1510, COSC-1010, or COSC-1020 or equivalent

The four core courses, Calculus II (MATH-1360), Linear Algebra (MATH-2250), Multivariable Calculus (MATH-2370), and Introduction to Proof and Problem Solving (MATH-2800), introduce basic mathematical concepts as well as develop students’ mathematical reasoning and communication skills. Students will further develop abstract reasoning skills in the required upper level courses Abstract Algebra (MATH-3210), Analysis I (MATH-3310), and Complex Analysis (MATH-3320). In addition, students will gain a basic statistical understanding in Mathematical Statistics (MATH-2140).

An upper level course may be substituted for Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus, or Linear Algebra for students passing the corresponding departmental waiver test.

To encourage the serious math major to see some significant applications of mathematics, one of the three electives for the BS degree can be a mathematically intensive course in another discipline (approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies), such as Game Theory (ECON-4059), Data Analysis (ECON-5554), Relativity and Quantum Physics (PHYS-2103), Modeling of Biological Populations (BIOL-4220), and Symbolic Logic (PHIL-4000).