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Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
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Undergraduate degrees

 

General Information

The department offers several undergraduate degrees in math, applied math, and statistics (BS degrees and BA degrees), as well as several minors (Minor in mathematics). If you are unsure of which degree to pursue, you should check with a math department advisor. All degrees share a common core of five courses: three semester of Calculus (MAT 270-272), a course in reading and writing mathematical proofs (MAT 300), and a course in linear algebra (MAT 342). Switching between degree programs is relatively easy, especially early on in your undergraduate studies.

The most important difference between BA and BS requirements is that the BS requires much more in the way of theoretical, proof oriented, math classes. A good starting point for this deciding between BA and BS is therefore to see how well you do in MAT 300, a course devoted entirely to reading and writing proofs.

  • If you pass MAT 300 with a C, or need more than one attempt to pass MAT 300, you should take MAT 370 instead of MAT 371 and pursue a BA degree.
  • If, on the other hand, you get an A or a B in MAT 300, then take MAT 371 - it counts towards either the BA or the BS.
Your final decision between BA and BS degrees depends on how rigorous you want your program to be. The more challenging BS degree can make you more marketable to graduate schools and some employers.
 

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science
2007-2008 catalog requirements

BS degrees include additional advanced courses compared to BA degrees. The BS provides majors with the mathematical tools to work in any technical field, often in manufacturing/production positions.
BS graduates typically go on to research positions in industry, labs, graduate school (not necessarily in math). Many BS majors are dual majors in a more applied field (physics, engineering,...)
 
Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Statistics (BS-Stats)
2007-2008 catalog requirements

A concentration in Statistics is also useful in preparing for actuarial careers. See this web page for more information.
 
Bachelor of Science in Computational Mathematical Sciences (BS-CMS)
2007-2008 catalog requirements

The BS-CMS is an interdisciplinary degree, with components in mathematics, science, and computer science, and a focus on computational and numerical aspects. It is designed for students interested in scientific computing and simulation of applied problems and is intended as a preparation for a career in industry.
 
Bachelor of Science with (BS-MA)

How to obtain both BS and Masters of Arts degrees in 5 years. You may want to also contact the graduate office.
 
Bachelor of Science with (BS-BAE)

Leads to certification for teaching mathematics in a secondary school. Students in this program are enrolled in the College of Education, but take many of their classes like math majors getting a BA or a BS.
 
Program in Cryptology
Cryptology Program

The fields of cryptography and cryptanalysis have always been important, but have exploded with the emergence of the internet. Large corporations, as well as the federal government hire mathematicians to work on problems in cryptology.
 

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2007-2008 catalog requirements

The BA provides a general background in Mathematics. BA graduates typically go on to get an MA in a more applied field (e.g. social sciences) or an MBA, and typically move on to "social" careers (social scientist, politics, education,...) BA majors have a foreign language requirement.
 
Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE)
2007-2008 catalog requirements

The BAE leads to teaching careers in high-schools. Many of the course math BAE majors must take are the same as other math majors, including core course requirements. If you are interested in a BAE but want to keep your options open, start with a BA or BS. The SCISM program enables BA or BS math majors in their junior year to obtain secondary certification while completing their degree. It is also possible for BA or BS graduates in mathematics to obtain relatively easily a certification in secondary math teaching as a post-baccalaureate student, see Initial Teacher Certification programs in the College of Education.
 

Minor in Mathematics

The department of Mathematics & Statistics at ASU Main also offers three minors: in Mathematics, in Statistics, and in Computational Mathematical Sciences: