Department of Mathematics

The following apply to all Math majors. Course requirements for specific degree programs are listed in the drop-down menus below.

• Foundational Literacies: As part of completing the major, students must:

  • Fulfill the writing intensive requirement by successfully completing one of the following: MATH 23b or MATH 47a.
  • Fulfill the oral communication requirement by successfully completing: MATH 16b or MATH 40a.
  • Fulfill the digital literacy requirement by successfully completing: MATH 16b, COSI 10a, COSI 12b, or COSI 21a.

  No grade below a C- will be given credit toward the majors, honors, or the teacher preparation track.

  No course taken pass/fail may count towards the majors, honors, or the teacher preparation track requirements.

• No grade below a C- will be given credit toward the majors, honors, or the teacher preparation track.
• No course taken pass/fail may count towards the majors, honors, or the teacher preparation track requirements.

• Foundational Literacies: As part of completing either major major, students must:

  • Fulfill the writing intensive requirement by successfully completing one of the following: MATH 23b or MATH 47a.
  • Fulfill the oral communication requirement by successfully completing: MATH 16b or MATH 40a.
  • Fulfill the digital literacy requirement by successfully completing: MATH 16b, COSI 10a, COSI 12b, or COSI 21a.

Foundational Literacies, Quantitative Reasoning: All students will take one course that is designated to meet the quantitative reasoning requirement and complete it with a satisfactory letter grade. Quantitative reasoning courses taken with the pass/fail grading option cannot be used to satisfy the requirement. Courses that satisfy the requirement in a particular semester are designated "qr" in the Schedule of Classes for that semester. A list of quantitative reasoning courses is available in the Courses of Instruction.

• These math courses meet the quantitative reasoning requirement:
  Math 8a "Introduction to Probability and Statistics"
  Math 36a "Probability"
  Math 36b "Mathematical Statistics"
  Math 161a "Advanced Bifurcation Analysis in Dynamical Systems"

The following is a list of required courses for the majors in mathematics; the official description of the requirements is in the University Bulletin.

Bachelor's Degrees in Mathematics

All Bachelor's degrees in Mathematics require the following core classes:

1. MATH 15a or 22a; MATH 20a or 22b.
2. MATH 23b or exemption. Students should normally take MATH 23b before taking upper-level pure mathematics courses (i.e., those which require 23b as a prerequisite). For many students this means taking MATH 23b concurrently with MATH 15a or MATH 20a or MATH 22a or b. Students may also take MATH 23b concurrently with MATH 35a and MATH 36a as these do not have MATH 23b as a prerequisite. A student may be exempted from the requirement of taking MATH 23b by satisfactory performance on an exemption exam. The exemption exam will be given at the beginning of the fall semester.
3. MATH 35a, 110a, or 115a.
4. MATH 28a, 28b, or 100a.

Cross-Listed Courses: All degrees in Mathematics have the following restrictions on cross-listed courses:

• No more than two cross-listed courses may be used to satisfy major requirements
• Only cross-listed courses in Mathematics (and not in Applied Mathematics) may be used
  
  

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics

In addition to the requirements for all degrees, a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics requires four additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses in Mathematics.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

In addition to the requirements for all degrees, a degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics requires seven additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses in Mathematics.

At least twelve semester courses are required, including the following:

1. Three foundational courses: MATH 15a or MATH 22a, MATH 20a or MATH 22b, and MATH 36a.
2. MATH 23b or an exemption.
3. MATH 36b or MATH 40a.
4. Two of the following analysis courses: MATH 35a, MATH 37a, MATH 110a or MATH 115a.
5. Two of the following: MATH 121a, MATH 122a, MATH 123a, MATH 124a or MATH 126a.
6. One additional mathematics course numbered 27 or higher or a course cross-listed in Applied Mathematics.
7. Two courses must be taken from another department from the following list: BCHM 102a, BCHM 104a, BCHM 145a, CHEM 141a, CHEM 142a, CHEM 146b, COSI 21a, COSI 112a, COSI 123a, COSI 130a, COSI 177a, COSI 180a, ECON 80a, ECON 161a, ECON 181b, ECON 182a, ECON 184b, NBIO 136b, NPHY 115a, any PHYS course numbered 20 or higher, and QBIO 110a.
8. No grade below a C- will be given credit toward the Bachelor of Science degree.
9. No course taken pass/fail may count towards the Bachelor of Science degree.

Following is a list of required courses for the minor in mathematics; the official description of the requirements is in the University Bulletin. Please note that we do not offer a minor in applied mathematics.

One of the following:

1. MATH 15a Applied Linear Algebra OR MATH 22a Linear Algebra and Intermediate Calculus, Part I

2. MATH 20a Techniques of Calculus: Calculus of Several Variables OR MATH 22b Linear Algebra and Intermediate Calculus, Part II

Three additional semester courses: 

1. Three additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses in Mathematics. Only cross-listed courses in Mathematics and not in Applied Mathematics may be used. Many, but not all, math courses numbered 27 or higher require Math 23b as a prerequisite. Check course listings for specific requirements.

Academic Notes

1. Students interested in analysis, physics or applied mathematics are advised to choose additional courses from among MATH 35a,  36a, 36b, 37a and 115a. Students interested in algebra or computer science are advised to consider MATH 28a, 28b, 100a, 100b, and 108b.

2. A course used to satisfy the requirements for the major must be passed with a grade of C-minus or higher.

3. No course taken pass/fail may count towards the major requirements.

4. No more than one cross-listed course may be used to satisfy the requirements for the minor. Only cross-listed courses in Mathematics and not in Applied Mathematics may be used.

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with Honors

In addition to the requirements for all degrees, a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with Honors  requires six additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses in Mathematics, and courses must meet the additional honors standards.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Honors

In addition to the requirements for all degrees, a degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with honors requires seven additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses in Mathematics, which meets the honors standards. In addition to the seven courses, one of the following must be completed:

• Two MATH courses numbered 130 or higher. (Cross-listed courses do not count toward this requirement). These two courses count toward the four courses required to satisfy the Honors Standards.
• Or, completion and defense of a senior honors thesis. Students considering this option should enroll in MATH 99a and MATH 99b and follow all rules for the Senior Honors Thesis.

Honors Standards

Honors in Mathematics: Along with the additional courses required, all candidates for a
degree with honors must satisfy the following:

• All courses used to satisfy major requirements must be passed with a grade of B or higher.
• At least four of the courses used to satisfy the major requirements must be MATH courses numbered 100 or higher, excluding MATH 121a, 122a, and 123a. (Cross-listed courses do not count toward this requirement.)

The following is a list of required courses to graduate with honors in applied mathematics; the official description of the requirements is in the University Bulletin.

A degree in Applied Mathematics with honors requires satisfactory completion of all of the requirements for the Major in Applied Mathematics, as well as one of the following:

• Two MATH courses numbered 130 or higher. (Cross-listed courses do not count toward this requirement).
• Or, completion and defense of a senior honors thesis. Students considering this option should enroll in MATH 99a and MATH 99b and follow all rules for the senior honors thesis.

Students who complete the Brandeis program for Massachusetts High School Teacher Licensure (see the Education Program website) may earn a bachelor's degree in mathematics by satisfying the following requirements; the official description of the requirements is in the University Bulletin.

One of the following:

1. MATH 15a Applied Linear Algebra OR MATH 22a Linear Algebra and Intermediate Calculus, Part I

2. MATH 20a Techniques of Calculus: Calculus of Several Variables OR MATH 22b Linear Algebra and Intermediate Calculus, Part II

3. MATH 23b Introduction to Proofs OR exemption

4. MATH 35a Advanced Calculus OR MATH 110a Introduction to Real Analysis, Part I OR MATH 115a Introduction to Complex Analysis

5. MATH 28a Introduction to Groups OR MATH 28b Introduction to Rings and Fields OR MATH 100a Introduction to Algebra, Part I

6. MATH 8a Introduction to Probability and Statistics OR MATH 36a Probability

7. A computer science course numbered 10 or higher

Two of the following:

1. MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses. Only cross-listed courses in Mathematics and not in Applied Mathematics may be used.

Completion of the following:

1. High School Teacher Licensure Program