Program A Requirements

Program A is the traditional and most general degree. This program is very flexible; it is designed to prepare students for a variety of career paths after graduation. One student might take electives specifically preparing for graduate work in math, while another might take courses emphasizing tools for applications, including Computer Science (CS), Statistics (STAT) or Actuarial Sciences (ACTS) electives.

This program requires 7 core courses plus electives within the mathematical sciences.  Students must also satisfy additional requirements set forth by the Math Department and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Core Courses

The following courses are required of all Program A students.

  • Calculus I and Calculus II, 8-10 s.h. (starting in Spring 2014, all MATH Calculus I and II courses will each be 4 s.h.) 

    NOTE: Either of the sequences MATH:1550-1560 (22M:031-032, 8 s.h.) or MATH:1850-1860 (22M:025-026, 8 or 10 s.h.) is acceptable. The sequences are distinct enough that the Department does not encourage students to switch from one version of Calculus I to a different version of Calculus II unless there is a strong need and good preparation.  Advanced placement credit, CLEP credit, and credit obtained through the Mathematics Incentive Program is accepted for all or part of the calculus requirement.

  • MATH:2700  (22M:027)  Introduction to Linear Algebra, 4 s.h.
  • MATH:2850  (22M:028)  Calculus III, 4 s.h.
  • MATH:3600  (22M:100)  Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations, 3 s.h.
  • MATH:3720  (22M:050)  Introduction to Abstract Algebra I, 4 s.h.
  • MATH:3770  (22M:055)  Fundamental Properties of Spaces and Functions I, 4 s.h.

Higher level courses may be substituted for core courses if approved by the Mathematics Department Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Electives

For the BA degree, students must take at least four elective courses (each 3-4 s.h.) from the following lists of mathematics, computer science, statistics and actuarial science courses, including at least one upper-level Mathematics course.

For the BS degree, students must take at least six elective courses from the lists, including at least three that are upper-level Mathematics courses. 

Mathematics (MATH) courses:
MATH:2150 (22M:070) or any MATH course numbered 3800 or higher except MATH:4010 and MATH:4020. 
(In the 3-digit numbering system, these courses are equivalent to those numbered 22M:070 or higher except 22M:081, 22M:095, 22M:104, 22M:105, 22M:109, and 22M:110.)

Upper-level Math courses are MATH:3900 and MATH courses numbered 4000 or higher except MATH:4010, 4020, and 4120.  (In the 3-digit numbering system, upper-level math courses are 22M:096 and any 22M course numbered 113 or higher except 22M:196-199.)  The Schedule of Course Offerings indicates which courses are upper-level courses and which semesters they are offered to help with academic planning.

Computer Science (CS) courses:
Any CS course numbered 1210 or higher that count toward an undergraduate major in Computer Science, excluding independent study, reading, topics, seminar, project courses, unless approved by the Mathematics Department in advance.

List of CS courses
CS:1210, 2110, 2210, 2230, 2420, 2520, 2620, 2630, 2820, 3330, 3620, 3640, 3820, 4330, 4340, 4350, 4640, and advanced electives between 3620-4990 except 3910, 3980, 3990, and 4980. 
(In the 3-digit numbering system, these courses are 22C:16, 19, 21, 22, 31, 60, 80, 82, 84, 86, 111, 112, 118, 131, 135, 169, 188, and advanced electives)

Statistics (STAT) and Actuarial Science (ACTS) courses:
Statistics and Actuarial Science courses that count toward an undergraduate major in Statistics or Actuarial Science, excluding independent study, reading, topics, seminar, project, exam preparation courses, unless approved by the Math Department in advance.

List of STAT and ACTS courses
STAT:2020 (22S:039) OR STAT:3100 (22S:120) OR STAT:3120 (22S:130)  (See note below.)
STAT:3101, 3200, 3210, 3620, 4100, 4101, 4510, 4520, 4740, 5100, 5101, 5120
ACTS:3080, 3085, 4130, 4180, 4230, 4280, 4380
(In the 3-digit numbering system, these courses correspond to 22S:131, 133, 138, 150, 152, 153, 154, 158, 169, 174, 175, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 190, 193, 194)

NOTE: At most one of STAT:2020, STAT:3100 and STAT:3120 (22S:039, 22S:120, 22S:130) can be counted; STAT:2020, STAT:3100 and STAT:3120 (22S:39, 22S:120, 22S:130) cannot be used if taken after STAT:4100 (22S:153).

Additional Requirements

Students earning a degree in mathematics must also satisfy the department’s rules and the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  More information about CLAS regulations can be found in the University of Iowa College Catalog.