Mathematics Major

Requirements for Mathematics are:

1. Discrete Mathematics: the introductory course MATH 136 . Exceptionally well-prepared students may replace this course with a second course from 3 or 4, below.
2. Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus: the two courses MATH 236  and MATH 237 . We recommend that these be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
3. Discrete Core: At least one of: MATH 373 , MATH 376 , MATH 379 .
4. Continuous Core: At least one of: MATH 312 , MATH 371 , MATH 377 .
5. Depth Course: At least one of the following, which must be taken at Macalester: MATH 432 , MATH 437 , MATH 469 , MATH 471 , MATH 476 , MATH 477 , MATH 478  .
6. Elective: At least two other Mathematics course numbered
   MATH 254
    , 300–489, or MATH 494 .
7. Supporting Courses:
   • A Computer Science course that is not cross-listed as a Mathematics course. We recommend that this course be taken by the end of the sophomore year.
   • The statistics course MATH 155 , taken after MATH 236  or MATH 237 .
8. Capstone: The College’s capstone graduation requirement in Mathematics will be satisfied by
   
   • passing an approved capstone course (MATH 353 , MATH 355, MATH 373 , MATH 432 , MATH 437 , MATH 469 , MATH 471 , MATH 476 , MATH 477 , or MATH 478 ) or registering for an Independent Study associated with an Honors thesis, and
   • giving a public presentation of your work to a general audience on Capstone Day in April.
   • The capstone course must be taken junior or senior year. Each course designated as such will include a serious semester project, and each math major must pass the project part of the class. Additionally, each capstone-designated course will require students to attend at least two departmental seminars.

Note to students preparing for graduate work in mathematics: You should take MATH 376 , MATH 377 , and several courses chosen from MATH 471 , MATH 476 , MATH 477 , MATH 478 . Take the GREs during the fall of your senior year.

Requirements in Applied Mathematics and Statistics are:

An Applied Mathematics and Statistics major consists of at least nine courses.

1. The three introductory courses: MATH 155  (S), MATH 236  , and MATH 237  .
2. At least five intermediate or advanced courses, chosen from this list:
   
   • MATH 253  (S, C), MATH 254  (S), MATH 312 , MATH 353  (S), MATH 355 (S), MATH 365  (S, C), MATH 377 , MATH 432 , MATH 437 , MATH 455 , MATH 469 ;
   • COMP 302  (S, C), COMP 484  (S, C);
   • A topics course (MATH 294 , MATH 394 , MATH 494 ) specifically identified as fulfilling the requirement;
   • At most one of the following courses from allied departments:
     • ECON 381 - Introduction to Econometrics  or ECON 481 - Advanced Econometrics  (S)
     • PSYC 202 - Research in Psychology II
         (S)
     • A 400-level Physics course.
     • CHEM 312 - Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
         or
       CHEM 320 - Computational Chemistry
        
3. Two or more courses with a Computation (C) designation:
   • COMP 120  or COMP 123 
   • An additional Computation course (which may meet other requirements of the major) chosen from MATH 253 , COMP 124 , COMP 221 , COMP 302 , COMP 340 , COMP 346 ,
     MATH 365
       or COMP 365 , or COMP 484 .
4. Three or more courses with a Statistical (S) designation, which may meet other requirements of the major.
5. Integrative Experience in the form of at least one of the following:
   • An internship or summer research project approved by the department;
   • A minor or major in another department tied to applied mathematics or statistics (e.g., physics, economics, psychology, sociology, chemistry, biology, geology, geography, environmental studies) approved on a case-by-case basis by the department.
   • A preceptorship in two of the courses included in the applied mathematics requirement;

6. Capstone: The College’s capstone graduation requirement in Applied Mathematics will be satisified by
   • passing an approved capstone course (MATH 353 , MATH 355, MATH 432 , MATH 437 , MATH 469 , or other capstone courses as approved by the department on a case-by-case basis) or registering for an Independent Study associated with an Honors thesis, and
   • giving a public presentation of your work to a general audience on Capstone Day in April.
   • The capstone course must be taken junior or senior year. Each course designated as such will include a serious semester project, and each AMS major must pass the project part of the class. Additionally, each capstone-designated course will require students to attend at least two departmental seminars. The capstone-designated course may meet other requirements of the Applied Mathematics and Statistics major.

Note to students preparing for graduate work: You should plan your major with consideration of the entrance requirements for your specific field in consultation with a faculty member in the department. Take the GREs during the fall of your senior year.