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 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 (both tracks) will be satisfied by
   
   • passing an approved capstone course (these courses will be identified in the course catalog descriptions, with the sentence “This course will count towards the capstone.”) 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 - Introduction to Statistical Modeling  (S), MATH 236 - Linear Algebra , and MATH 237 - Multivariable Calculus .
2. At least five intermediate or advanced courses, chosen from this list:
   
   • MATH 253  (S), MATH 312 , MATH 353  (S), MATH 354  (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.
     • Physical Chemistry II or Computational Chemistry
3. Two or more courses with a Computation (C) designation:
   • Either COMP 121  or COMP 123 
   • An additional Computation course (i.e. COMP 124 , COMP 221 , COMP 302 , COMP 340 , COMP 346 , COMP 365  or COMP 484 ), which may meet other requirements of the major
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 Mathematics (both tracks) will be satisified by
   • passing an approved capstone course (these courses will be identified in the course catalog descriptions, with the sentence “This course will count towards the capstone.”) 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. 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. For example, graduate applied mathematics departments often expect MATH 377 . Take the GREs during the fall of your senior year.