Mathematics Major
Major Requirements
The Mathematics major requirements accommodate a wide variety of student interests and career goals. Courses provide broad training in undergraduate mathematics, preparing majors for graduate study and for positions in a wide variety of careers, such as government, industry, and the teaching profession.
Core
Complete the following courses:
- 1
MATH 221 Introduction to Abstraction Introduction to Abstraction must be taken at Bates, and can only be taken after a full semester at Bates. The department encourages students to take this course during the sophomore year, at which time it can count toward the [W2] requirement.
Analysis or Algebra
Complete at least one course from the following:
A student may take both of these courses, but one of them must be taken at Bates. The second course will count towards the 300- and 400-Level Electives requirement. The department encourages students to fulfill this requirement before beginning a senior thesis or senior seminar.
Electives
300- and 400-Level Electives
Complete at least 2 300- and/or 400-Level Mathematics courses or courses cross-listed with Mathematics, and which may not include MATH 360 Independent Study, MATH S50 Independent Study, MATH 457 Senior Thesis, MATH 458 Senior Thesis, MATH 495 Senior Seminar, or any Short Term course.
Modeling and Differential Equations
Complete at least one course from the following:
- MATH 219 Differential Equations
- Any MATH 255 series course
- Any MATH 355 series course
If a student takes a course in the MATH 355 series, this fulfills one course in the 300- and 400-Level Electives requirement and the Modeling and Differential Equations requirement simultaneously.
Additional Electives
Complete at least 2 additional elective Mathematics courses or courses cross-listed with Mathematics numbered 200 or higher during a semester, or 30 or higher during Short Term, and which may not include MATH 360 Independent Study, MATH S50 Independent Study, MATH 457 Senior Thesis, MATH 458 Senior Thesis, or MATH 495 Senior Seminar.
One course from the following (but not both) may also count as one of these electives:
An important note about electives: Although a course may satisfy two or more stipulations, a student must still take five distinct elective courses.
Senior Capstone
Complete at least one of the following:
The selection of Senior Thesis or Senior Seminar requires departmental approval. The senior thesis or senior seminar requirement must be completed during the student's last year at Bates. Students satisfy their [W3] requirement by successful completion of either a senior thesis or a senior seminar.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates
Subject to the pre-approval of the department chair, students may apply up to four courses taken at other institutions or in off-campus study programs toward the major. However, no more than two Non-Bates courses may be applied toward the Electives requirement. Students may not apply Non-Bates credit to the MATH 221 Introduction to Abstraction, Analysis or Algebra, and Senior Capstone requirements.
Pass/Fail
Pass/Fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major in Mathematics.
Restricted Declarations
Students who have declared the Mathematics major may not declare the following:
- Mathematics minor
- Applying Mathematical Methods (C006) GEC
Other Considerations
None.