Post-Baccalaureate Program
Do you wish you had taken more mathematics in college? Would you like to strengthen your quantitative and problem-solving skills?
The Post-Baccalaureate program is intended for students with bachelor's degrees (in any field) who would like to expand or deepen their mathematical skills for use in the workplace or in preparation for graduate programs in mathematics, science or social science. The program is flexible and can accommodate students with a wide range of backgrounds and goals. Students are expected to have strong skills in high-school level algebra and to have taken a full year of calculus before entering the program. Students may begin the Post-Baccalaureate program in either the fall or spring semester.
Curriculum
The program consists of three mathematics courses in each of two semesters. These must include two core requirements: linear algebra (MATH 15a) and multivariable calculus (MATH 20a). The remaining courses will be selected from a wide range of electives in consultation with the Director of Graduate Study. Students who have taken linear algebra and/or multivariable calculus prior to entering the program may substitute additional electives for these two courses. At most one cross-listed course may be used to fulfill the elective requirements. A description of courses may be found in the Brandeis University Bulletin.
Typical Programs
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A typical program for students with bachelor's degrees in mathematics or science who are preparing for graduate school should consist of three classes to be chosen according to prior background. Particularly relevant classes for fall semester courses are:
- The foundational courses: MATH 15a (Applied Linear Algebra), MATH 20a (Multi-variable Calculus), and MATH 23b (Introduction to Proofs);
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And/or for students having already covered the foundational courses, elective classes such as 36a (Probability), 37a (Differential Equations), 39a (Introduction to Combinatorics).
- For the most advanced students, the 100-level courses such as 100a (Introduction to Algebra), and 110a (Introduction to Real analysis, Part A) are also interesting options.
Particularly relevant classes for spring semester courses are:
- Three electives such as the ones listed above or 36b (Mathematical Statistics), 35a (Advanced Calculus and Fourier Analysis), any 100-level course, any cross-listed course (at most one).
- Occasionally, some motivated post-bac students take one or two of the first year graduate classes offered at Brandeis.
A typical program for students with bachelor's degrees in another field who wish to expand their quantitative skills might consist of:
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Fall term: MATH 15a (Applied Linear Algebra), MATH 20a (Multi-variable Calculus), MATH 36a (Probability)
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Spring term: MATH 36b (Mathematical Statistics) and two additional electives
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Suggested electives: MATH 23b (Introduction to Proofs), 28a (Introduction to Groups), 28b (Introduction to Rings and Fields), 35a (Advanced Calculus and Fourier Analysis), 37a (Differential Equations), 39a (Introduction to Combinatorics), Math 40 (Introduction to Applied Mathematics), MATH 121a (Mathematics for Natural Sciences), Math 123a (Principles of Mathematical Modeling and Applications to Biology), MATH 124a (Convex Optimization) and any cross-listed course (at most one)
Transfer and Undergraduate Credits
All students are required to take six courses to complete the program. Courses taken prior to entering the program may be used to determine appropriate placement and selection of electives, but will not count toward completion of the six-course requirement.