University Catalog 2016-2017

University of Colorado Boulder
Menu

Mathematics

    The undergraduate degree in mathematics emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:

    • basic real analysis of one variable;
    • calculus of several variables and vector analysis;
    • basic linear algebra and the theory of vector spaces;
    • the structure of mathematical proofs and definitions; and
    • at least one additional specialized area of mathematics.   

    In addition, students completing a degree in mathematics are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:

    • move from concrete to abstract thinking and back with facility;
    • recognize patterns and connections between areas of mathematics and between mathematics and other subjects;
    • organize and construct a logical argument, provide evidence to support arguments and articulate arguments clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing.

    Course code for this program is MATH. 

    Bachelor's Degree Program(s)

    Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics

    The Department of Mathematics offers four tracks leading to a BA in mathematics. To earn a BA in mathematics, a student must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the six mathematics core courses and the five additional courses for one of the four tracks (described below). Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each of the mathematics core courses and the five additional courses, and have at least a C average for all attempted work in mathematics.

    Mathematics Core (required of all mathematics majors)

    Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours

    • Calculus 1 (e.g., MATH 1300, MATH 1310 or APPM 1350)—4-5
    • Calculus 2 (e.g., MATH 2300 or APPM 1360)—4-5
    • Calculus 3 (e.g., MATH 2400 or APPM 2350)—4
    • MATH 2001 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics—3
    • MATH 3001 Analysis 1—3
    • MATH 3130 Introduction to Linear Algebra—3

    Comprehensive Track

    Aimed at students seeking a general background in mathematics or intending to pursue graduate work in mathematics.

    Additional Courses Required

    • MATH 3140 Abstract Algebra 1—3
    • One of MATH 4140 Abstract Algebra 2 or MATH 4001 Analysis 2—3
    • Plus 3 upper-division MATH or approved APPM courses (at least one at the 4000-level)—9

    Applicable Track

    Aimed at students seeking a background in applied and/or applicable mathematics.

    Additional Courses Required

    • MATH 4510 Introduction to Probability Theory—3
    • MATH 3430 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations—3
    • One of MATH 4520 Mathematical Statistics or MATH 4470 Partial Differential Equations 1—3
    • Plus two upper-division MATH or approved APPM courses—6

    Secondary Education Track

    Aimed at students intending to teach mathematics at the secondary level. 

    Additional Courses Required

    • MATH 3110 Introduction to the Theory of Numbers or MATH 3140 Abstract Algebra 1—3
    • MATH 3120 Functions and Modeling—3
    • MATH 3210 Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry 1—3
    • MATH 3510 Introduction to Probability and Statistics—3
    • MATH 4820 History of Mathematical Ideas—3

    NOTE: Completion of the Secondary Education Track does not provide the student a teaching license. For information about the secondary education teaching licensure program, see the School of Education section.

    Computational Track

    Aimed at students interested in both mathematics and computation.

    Additional Courses Required

    • CSCI 1300 Computer Science 1: Programming—3
    • CSCI 2270 Computer Science 2: Programming—3
    • CSCI 3104 Algorithms—3
    • MATH/APPM 4650 Intermediate Numerical Analysis 1—3
    • Plus three MATH or approved APPM or approved CSCI courses, at least one of which must be at the 4000-level. At most one of these courses may be a computer science course—9

    Graduating in Four Years

    Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of “adequate progress,” as it is used here, refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in mathematics, students in each of the four tracks should meet the following requirements.

    Comprehensive Track 

    • Declare major by the beginning of the second semester.
    • Complete Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, MATH 2001, 3001 and 3130 by the end of the fourth semester.
    • Complete MATH 3140, 4140, or 4001 and one additional approved MATH or APPM course by the end of the sixth semester.
    • Complete the major by the end of the eighth semester.  

    Applicable Track

    • Declare major by the beginning of the second semester.
    • Complete Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, MATH 2001, 3001 and 3130 by the end of the fourth semester.
    • Complete MATH 4510 and 3430 and either MATH 4520 or 4470 by the end of the sixth semester.
    • Complete the major by the end of the eighth semester.

    Secondary Education Track

    • Declare major by the beginning of the second semester.
    • Complete Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, MATH 2001, 3001, 3120 and 3130 by the end of the fourth semester.
    • Complete MATH 3510 and 3210 and either MATH 3110 or 3140 by the end of the sixth semester.
    • Complete the major by taking MATH 4820 by the end of the eighth semester.

    Computational Track 

    • Declare major by beginning of the second semester.
    • Complete Computer Science 1, Computer Science 2, Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, MATH 2001, 3001 and 3130 by the end of the fourth semester.
    • Complete CSCI 3104 Algorithms, MATH/APPM 4650 and one of the additionally required upper-division MATH classes by the end of the sixth semester.
    • Complete the major by the end of the eighth semester.

    Minor Program

    A minor is offered in mathematics. Declaration of a minor is open to any student enrolled at CU-Boulder, regardless of college or school. To earn a minor in mathematics, students must complete the following courses with a grade of C- or better in each course, and they must have at least a C (2.00) average for all attempted work in mathematics.

    • Calculus 1 (e.g., MATH 1300 or APPM 1350)—4-5
    • Calculus 2 (e.g., MATH 2300 or APPM 1360)—4-5
    • Calculus 3 (e.g., MATH 2400 or APPM 2350)—4
    • MATH 2001 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics—3
    • MATH 3130 Introduction to Linear Algebra—3
    • Plus two upper-division MATH courses (at least one at the 4000-level)—6

    Graduate Degree Program(s)

    Graduate Study in Mathematics 

    The Department of Mathematics offers programs leading to the degrees MA or PhD in mathematics and MS in applied mathematics. Students interested in any of these programs should read carefully the materials describing the university requirements in the Graduate School section. The student is responsible for satisfying these requirements at the proper time.

    Applicants must have demonstrated mathematical maturity and accomplishment roughly at the level of a successful mathematics major at CU-Boulder. Applicants must also demonstrate mathematical potential: success in courses in advanced calculus and abstract algebra help demonstrate this potential. General and Mathematics GRE subject scores are required for PhD students.

    The basic requirements for the various degrees are summarized here, and full details are available in the department office or online at www.colorado.edu/math/graduate/graduate-info.html. For fulfillment of all course requirements, mathematics courses must be numbered 5000 or higher excluding MATH 5820.

    Master’s Degree in Mathematics

    • All master's degree students must complete 30 hours of approved credit. At least 24 hours must be completed at the 5000 level or above. A maximum of six credit hours may be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level if approved by the department.
    • All master’s degree students must take two two-semester sequences.  
    • To earn an MA or MS degree, a student must pass a master’s examination based on the particular program of the student.
    • For the MA or MS degree in mathematics, students can pursue a “thesis option,” which requires 4–6 credit hours of thesis work, and a thesis defense.
    • For the MS degree in applied mathematics, 6–12 credit hours must be in an approved minor program outside the mathematics department, and at least 18 credit hours must be approved inside the mathematics department. 

    Doctoral Degree in Mathematics

    Before being admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree in mathematics, a student must take two graduate courses each in algebra, real analysis and geometry/topology en route to passing two out of three preliminary exams in these fields. In addition, the student must take a course in complex analysis. The student must then pass a comprehensive exam. The basic requirements for a PhD degree in mathematics are as follows: 

    • Complete at least 30 credit hours of approved graduate coursework and 30 credit hours of thesis work
    • Prepare a written thesis that contains substantial original contributions to mathematics
    • Successfully complete a final examination.