BA in Mathematics
Degree Program Description
Mathematics is part of the foundation of all the sciences, engineering, statistics, and many social sciences. A degree in mathematics provides one with both the applied mathematics knowledge necessary to engage in these disciplines, and formal reasoning skills that can be applied in any area. The major is well suited for those interested in mathematics alone, or for those looking to supplement another major. Our students go on to jobs or further study in all the above disciplines, as well as many others (medical school or law school, for instance).
Major Program Requirements
Arts and Science Breadth and Depth requirements (for the BA) must be satisfied, in addition to the Department Level Requirements. The foreign language requirement must be satisfied either by taking a foreign language for 4 years in high school or by completing a language sequence at MU. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
Students may apply to be Math majors upon meeting the following criteria:
- Completion of ENGLSH 1000 and MATH 2300
- Both cumulative GPA and GPA in Math courses numbered 1500 and above (expect for 2100) of 2.5 or above.
All math courses required for the degree must be passed with a grade of C- or above.
| Core Math Requirements for all Math degrees (24 credits) | ||
| MATH 1500 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 1700 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 2300 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MATH 3000 | Introduction to Advanced Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 4100 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 4140 | Matrix Theory | 3 |
| INFOTC 1040 | Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming | 3 |
| or CMP_SC 1050 | Algorithm Design and Programming I | |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
Additional requirements for the BA degree
- MATH 4700 Advanced Calculus of One Real Variable I
- MATH 4720 Introduction to Abstract Algebra I
- Four approved 4000 level Math electives
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 1500 | 5 | MATH 1700 | 5 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts Course | 3 | Second language I | 4-6 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Course | 3 |
| HIST 1100, 1200, or POL_SC 1100 | 3 | Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science Course (Not taught by the Math Department) | 4 |
| Elective Course | |||
| 14 | 16-18 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 2300 | 3 | MATH 4100 | 3 |
| INFOTC 1040 | 3 | MATH 4140 | 3 |
| Second language II | 4-6 | Second language III | 3-4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts Course | 3 | Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science Course (Not taught by the Math Department) | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | BIO SC course | 3 |
| 16-18 | 15-16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 3000 | 3 | MATH 4700 | 3 |
| 4000-level MATH elective | 3 | 4000-level MATH elective | 3 |
| 4000-level MATH elective | 3 | Social Science Course (in a field different from the History or Political Science Course taken in Fall I) | 3 |
| Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science Course (Not taught by the Math Department) | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 4720 | 3 | 4000-level Math Elective | 3 |
| Behavioral Science Course 2000-level | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Course 2000-level | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts Course | 3 | Social Science Course | 3 |
| Social Science Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 118-123 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.