| Welcome |
| YOU are special: A successful math major represents
a combination of creativity and analytic rigor that is respected worldwide.
Those of us who "do" mathematics are constantly excited by the combination
of internal beauty and powerful applicability that motivate our studies. It's
simply great stuff---challenging, fun, and vitally important to society.
Mathematics is a basic tool for understanding the world, and is, in particular, a crucial requirement for many careers in science, engineering, business and the professions. It is also a living, dynamic subject; the present level of research is the highest in history. We offer a broad range of programs and courses to meet these needs. There are many paths to a mathematics degree, so the lists of options and rules look confusing; just remember, you need eleven (11) courses for a BA (13 for BS), regardless of which program you follow. (The programs differ in which particular courses are required or recommended.) A minimum g.p.a. of 2.0 in the major is required to obtain a degree in mathematics, but you should aim much higher. The major in mathematics is designed around a core requirement of courses in calculus, linear algebra, basic analysis and basic abstract algebra. (The core requirements for the different programs are slightly different.) Then come higher level courses in pure or applied mathematics as well as certain courses in statistics or computer science. We also encourage you to pursue interests in some of the many fields in which mathematics is useful, including business, social sciences, and natural sciences. An undergraduate degree in mathematics can prepare you for a variety of careers in government and business, for secondary teaching, for graduate study, and (with proper planning) for a variety of professional programs. Graduate study is advisable for certain industrial and governmental positions and for college and university teaching and research. The undergraduate program information available on the web includes a description of how to set up programs of study appropriate to these different goals, offers some tips and useful information about scheduling, and provides information about opportunities for scholarships and other financial aid, cooperative and foreign study, and preparation for graduate school. The Department of Mathematics is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, so mathematics majors need to meet CLAS requirements as spelled out in the University Catalog. The undergraduate program information available on the web can also be found in the Handbook for Undergraduate Majors, available in the Mathematics Department office. Please give your suggestions for improving this web resource to Professor Weimin Han, B1D MLH, 335-0770, whan@math.uiowa.edu. |
