Honors in Math

Honors in the Major

Students majoring in mathematics have the opportunity to graduate with honors in the major. Students must maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33, as required by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; additionally, students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a of at least 3.40 in the major, a g.p.a. set by the Department of Mathematics. Membership in the UI Honors Program is not required to earn honors in the mathematics major. However, honors in mathematics can be applied toward UI Honors Program requirements. It is recommended that students who earn honors in mathematics pursue the B.S. degree.

To graduate with honors in the major, students also must complete one of the options below.

Option 1: complete four of the courses below, including a two-course sequence; and at least one 5000 level course, with a B average for the four courses.

Course List

Code

Title

Hours

MATH:3900

Introduction to Mathematics Research

3

MATH:4090

A Rigorous Introduction to Abstract Algebra

4

MATH:4210

Foundations of Analysis

4

MATH:4610

Continuous Mathematical Models

3

MATH:4750

Introduction to Mathematical Biology

3

MATH:4820

Optimization Techniques

3

MATH:5000 & MATH:5010

Abstract Algebra I-II

8

MATH:5200 & MATH:5210

Introduction to Analysis I-II

8

MATH:5400 & MATH:5410

General Topology - Introduction to Smooth Manifolds

8

MATH:5600 & MATH:5700

Nonlinear Dynamics with Numerical Methods - Partial Differential Equations with Numerical Methods

8

MATH:5750 & MATH:5760

Mathematical Biology I-II

8

MATH:5800 & MATH:5810

Numerical Analysis: Nonlinear Equations and Approximation Theory - Numerical Analysis: Differential Equations and Linear Algebra

8

Mathematics courses (prefix MATH) numbered 6000 or above, to be approved by the mathematics honors advisor in advance

  

 

 

A two-course sequence is a choice of two courses from one of following groups:

  • MATH 4090-5000-5010
  • MATH 4210-5200-5210
  • MATH 4210-5400-5410
  • MATH 4610-5600-5700
  • MATH 4750-5600-5700
  • MATH 4750-5750-5760
  • MATH 4820-5800-5810

Option 2: complete an honors project comparable to taking several of the courses above, approved by the mathematics honors advisor and the thesis supervisor. Students who choose this option typically register for MATH:3996 Individual Study and Honors in Mathematics for 3 s.h. or more. They must find a faculty member willing to supervise their project; contact the department for help finding a project supervisor. Contact the Department of Mathematics honors advisor, Prof. Yangbo Ye, for more information.

University of Iowa Honors Program

In addition to honors in the major, students have opportunities for honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program. Visit Honors at Iowa to learn about the University's honors program. Honors in mathematics is awarded by the Department of Mathematics and is separate from the University of Iowa Honors Program.

Membership in the UI Honors Program is not required to earn honors in the mathematics major. However, honors in mathematics can be applied toward UI Honors Program requirements.