Undergraduate Programs

The Mathematics Department awards both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts.

• The B.S. degree in mathematics is particularly appropriate for students who wish to proceed toward careers in industry concentrating on analytical problem solving or graduate schools in any mathematical science area. The B.S. degree is attractive as a second major for students whose primary interest is in computer science, economics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, management science, physics, and chemistry.
• The B.A. degree in mathematics is designed for students who need a traditional mathematics degree leading to careers in teaching, industry, business, and government. It is attractive as a second major for students whose primary interest is in the social sciences, business, humanities, or fine arts.

Within the mathematics major, there are a variety of specializations. The courses in these specializations are taken mainly in the junior and senior years. Each is intended to give students a deeper view of a particular area of mathematics based on the broad introductory courses of the first two years. For the BS major, students are required to take three 4000+ courses toward a concentration in pure, applied, or computational mathematics, plus three 3000+ advanced elective mathematical courses. For the BA major, students are required to take six advanced elective courses, two of which can be mathematically significant courses from other departments, such as computer science, operations research, statistics, etc.

For more information about majoring in mathematics, please contact Professor Weihua Geng (Director of Undergraduate Studies in Mathematics) in Room 135 Clements Hall or at wgeng@smu.edu.