The Mathematics Major (New Program)

The Department of Mathematics has recently revised the requirements for majoring in mathematics, in order to provide more guidance and make the program more relevant for the various career opportunities avaliable to the math major. These new requirements apply to all students who arrive at Northeastern University in Fall 1999 or later. Students who began their studies at Northeastern before that date may also follow this program, or may follow the old program. If you have any questions, consult a math adviser (see the list in 567LA).

Note: Beginning in the academic year 1999-2000, the upper division mathematics electives will mostly be scheduled during the winter and spring quarters. Students who participate in the Coop program should plan to be on campus during these quarters in order to take the courses for their program.

Math Core: Ten (10) Required Mathematics Courses

• MTH 1170: Mathematical Discovery and Computers (fall quarter, freshman year)
• MTH 1140, 1141, 1142*: Calculus 1-3 (freshman year)
• MTH 1243 and 1244: Multivariable Calculus** (sophomore year)
• MTH 1238: Combinatorial Mathematics (sophomore year)
• MTH 1301 : Linear Algebra (middler year)
• MTH 1311: Analysis (middler year)
• MTH 1387 : Probability 1 (middler year)

*Alternative sequences for Calculus 1-3 are: MTH 1123-5, or the honors versions MTH 1740-2 or MTH 1723-5.

**Note that MTH 1223 is not equivalent to MTH 1243.

Math Electives for B.S.: Eight (8) Additional Math Courses

These eight courses should be chosen according to the student's vocational track:
  1. Industrial/Applied Math,   2. Education,   or   3. Pure Math.

1. Industrial/Applied Math Track: For students interested in employment in industry, such as high tech companies, financial institutions, or actuarial firms.

Two (2) Strongly Recommended Courses:

• MTH 1245: Differential Equations 1
• MTH 1360: Seminar in Applied Mathematics, or MTH 1395: Actuarial Practice.

Six (6) Additional: Suggestions arranged according to the following specialties.

• Applied Analysis (for employment in high tech companies which use analysis and differential equations to model physical or financial systems): MTH 1246, MTH 1347, MTH 1349, MTH 1350.
• Discrete Mathematics (for employment in high tech companies that use discrete mathematics and algebra): MTH 1302, MTH 1321, MTH 1349.
• Probability & Statistics (for employment in industries, such as the actuarial firms, in which probability & statistics play a fundamental role): MTH 1302, MTH 1388, MTH 1390, MTH 1393, MTH 1395.

2. Education Track: For students interested in secondary teaching of mathematics.

Five (5) Strongly Recommended Courses:

• MTH 1203 : History of Mathematics
• MTH 1321: Groups and their Applications
• MTH 1330: Number Theory
• MTH 1367: Geometry
• MTH 1390: Statistics

Three (3) Additional from the MTH 12XX or 13XX list.

3. Pure Math Track: For students interested in preparing for graduate school in mathematics.

Four (4) Strongly Recommended Courses:

• MTH 1245: Differential Equations 1
• MTH 1321: Groups and their Applications
• MTH 1372: Topology
• MTH 13??: Seminar in Pure Mathematics

Four (4) Additional: Suggestions include MTH 1246, MTH 1322, MTH 1351, MTH 1352, MTH 1367, MTH 1330.

Math Electives for B.A.: Four (4) Additional Math Courses

These courses should be chosen from the following list:

• MTH 1245: Differential Equations 1   and/or   MTH 1246: Differential Equations 2
• Any math course numbered 13XX

Experiential Education Requirement:

This is a College of Arts & Sciences requirement (see CEA). Mathematics majors may satisfy it in one of the following ways:

• MTH 1360: Seminar in Applied Mathematics. This is particularly appropriate for students in the industrial/applied math track of the B.S. degree.
• MTH 1395: Actuarial Practice. This is particularly appropriate for students interested in becoming actuaries.
• Seminar in Pure Mathematics: This is particularly appropriate for students in the pure math track of the B.S. degree. (Will be made available when student interest warrants.)
• ED1417: Student Teaching. This is particularly appropriate for students minoring in education. Students on the education track but not minoring in education will do a special teaching project.
• MTH 1888: Experiential Education Directed Study. This is for math majors for whom the other course options are not appropriate.

(MTH courses taken to satisfy this requirement are also counted as math electives.)

The Core Curriculum is designed to give the student a broad-based education beyond their expertise in mathematics.

B.S. Degree in Mathematics	B.A. Degree in Mathematics
Category I: ENG 1110 ENG 1111 Category II: Two (2) courses one arts/humanities one social science Category III: One (1) course Category IV: One (1) course Category V: One (1) course Category VI: One (1) course	Category I: ENG 1110 ENG 1111 Foreign language through intermediate II Category II: Four (4) courses 2 arts/humanities 2 social science Category III: Two (2) courses Category IV: Two (2) courses Category V: Two (2) courses Category VI: Two (2) courses

Web page started by Robert McOwen on August 6, 1999; last modified on June 6, 2002. Comments or corrections to:   eigen@neu.edu

URL:   http://www.math.neu.edu/undergrad/newmathmajor.html