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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 1500Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
MATH 1700Calculus II5
MATH 2300Calculus III3
MATH 3000Introduction to Advanced Mathematics3
MATH 4100Differential Equations3
MATH 4140Matrix Theory3
INFOTC 1040Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming3
or CMP_SC 1050 Algorithm Design and Programming I
Total Credits25

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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 15005MATH 17005
Humanities/Fine Arts Course3Second language I4-6
ENGLSH 10003Humanities/Fine Arts Course3
HIST 1100, 1200, or POL_SC 11003Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science Course (Not taught by the Math Department)4
Elective Course  
 14 16-18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 23003MATH 41003
INFOTC 10403MATH 41403
Second language II4-6Second language III3-4
Humanities/Fine Arts Course3Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science Course (Not taught by the Math Department)3
Elective Course3BIO SC course3
 16-18 15-16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 30003MATH 47003
4000-level MATH elective34000-level MATH elective3
4000-level MATH elective3Social 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)3Elective Course3
Elective Course3Elective Course3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 472034000-level Math Elective3
Behavioral Science Course 2000-level3Humanities/Fine Arts Course 2000-level3
Humanities/Fine Arts Course3Social Science Course3
Social Science Course3Elective Course3
Elective Course3 
 15 12
Total Credits: 118-123

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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/.

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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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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