Supplement your studies with a degree in mathematics

The UI Department of Mathematics encourages students of other majors to take more math courses and attempt a BA or BS secondary major, or a secondary degree if your first major is outside CLAS, in mathematics. This will benefit your future career greatly as mathematics has become more and more important in technology and society. The Program in Math-Related Specializations offers a curricular path to achieve this goal.

The coursework for this consists of two parts: math courses and courses from other departments. There are general course requirements as outlined on this page.

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Requirements for math-related specializations

In addition to meeting the requirements for the BA or BS in Mathematics degree, there are courses in mathematics and education in the program for math-related specializations.

Note: There are different requirements depending on when you declared as a math major for the first time. If you declared in fall of 2023 or later, you'll use the 2023 requirements. If you declared in summer of 2023 or earlier, you'll follow the previous requirements.

Program requirements (since fall 2023)

Students can choose either core math courses or core math courses for the engineering track to satisfy this requirement.

Five core math courses
  • Calculus I and Calculus II, 8 semester hours
    • Note: Either sequence MATH:1550-1560 or MATH:1850-1860 is acceptable.
    • The coverages of these two sequences are different so that students should not mix and match unless there is a strong need with good preparation.
    • Advanced placement (AP), CLEP, and credits obtained through the Mathematics Incentive Program are acceptable for all or part of this calculus requirement.
  • MATH:2700 Introduction to Linear Algebra, 4 semester hours
  • MATH:2850 Calculus III, 4 semester hours
  • MATH:3720 Introduction to Abstract Algebra I, 4 semester hours or MATH:3770 Fundamental Properties of Spaces and Functions I, 4 semester hours

Higher-level math courses may be used to substitute for core math courses if approved by the Department of Mathematics Director of Undergraduate Studies in advance.

Six core math courses for engineering track
  • MATH:1550 Engineering Math I Single Variable Calculus, 4 semester hours
  • MATH:1560 Engineering Math II Multivariable Calculus, 4 semester hours
  • MATH:2550 Engineering Math III Matrix Algebra, 2 semester hours
  • MATH:2560 Engineering Math IV Differential Equations, 3 semester hours
  • MATH:3550 Engineering Math V Vector Calculus, 3 semester hours
  • MATH:3720 Introduction to Abstract Algebra I, 4 semester hours or MATH:3770 Fundamental Properties of Spaces and Functions I, 4 semester hours

Higher-level math courses may be used to substitute for core math courses if approved by the Department of Mathematics Director of Undergraduate Studies in advance.

  • For a BA degree, all students must take at least 6 to 7 electives from the Department of Mathematics and another department. The actual number of electives required depends on the specialization chosen.
  • For a BS degree, all students must take at least 8 electives from the Department of Mathematics and another department.

Each elective must have at least 3 semester hours. Combining lower semester-hour courses to satisfy one course requirement is not allowed.

Mathematics elective courses
  • For a BA degree, at least 3 of the 6-7 electives must be math courses as defined here.
  • For a BS degree, at least 4 of the 8 electives must be math courses as defined here.
  • Mathematics (MATH) courses: MATH: 3600 or higher, but excluding 3700, 3750, 3995-3997, 4010, 4020, and 4120.
  • Independent study, reading, topics, seminar, and project courses are not allowed unless approved by the Department of Mathematics Director of Undergraduate Study in advance.
Other electives

Approved electives from other departments are listed in templates for specializations. For specializations not listed, electives from other departments must be approved by the Department of Mathematics Director of Undergraduate Study in advance.

  • For a BA degree, at least 1 of the 3 math courses must be an upper-level math course.
  • For a BS degree, at least 2 of the 4 math courses must be upper-level math courses.
  • Upper-level math courses are MATH:3900 and MATH courses numbered 4000 or higher except MATH:4010, 4020, and 4120.
  • MATH courses numbered 6000 or above are not allowed unless approved by the Department of Mathematics Director of Undergraduate Study in advance.

  • Every student in this program must file a plan of study before the start of their senior year. With the help of their advisor, a student prepares a list of courses as their plan of study according the previous requirements. With advisor’s approval, this plan of study is then submitted to the Department of Mathematics Director of Undergraduate Study for approval. An approved plan of study will be uploaded and appear in MyUI.
  • If a student needs to change courses, a new plan of study must be submitted.
  • Please use this fillable PDF form for creating a plan of study.
  • If the specialization is listed, the student may follow the approved template plan of study.

Plan of study templates for each of the pre-approved areas of specialization are listed here. Students should prepare a proposed list of courses in consultation with a mathematics advisor. Students must complete the fillable plan of study form before their senior year.

The following templates must be used for the students who declared a math major for the first time at UI in fall of 2023 or later. The first two pages of each of the documents below outline the requirements previously stated. The third page is the template for the given area of specialization.

The following templates are for the students who declared a math major for the first time at UI in the fall of 2016 or later but at the latest declared a math major by summer of 2023.

Templates for biomathematics
  • Students who declared a math major prior to Summer 2021 may use either the 2016 or 2021 or 2023 template.
  • Students who declare math major for the first time in Fall 2021 or later but by Summer 2023 must use the 2021 or 2023 template, but not the 2016 template for Biomathematics.
  • Students who want to pursue U2G in Biomathematics are required to use a BS template due to the U2G structure.
Templates for biostatistics
  • Students may use either the 2016 or 2018 or 2023 template if they declared a math major prior to Fall 2018.
  • Students who declare math major for the first time in Fall 2018 or later but by Summer 2023 may use the 2018 or 2023 template, but not the 2016 template for Biostatistics.
  • For U2G in Biostatistics see the College of Public Health's website.

Former program requirements (for majors declared in summer 2023 or earlier)

Every student in this program must file a plan of study before the start of the senior year. In consultation with a mathematics advisor, a student prepares a proposed list of courses. The plan (with the advisor’s endorsement) is then forwarded to the department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies for approval. If the proposal follows one of the pre-approved established templates, then approval is automatic. If a student and advisor select courses that vary from the established templates or constitute a new area of specialization, the proposed plan of study must receive the approval of the Department of Mathematics Undergraduate Committee. The plans for BA courses usually have 11-12 courses, and the plans for BS courses usually have 13-14 courses (depending on the specialization).

All program course plans must fulfill the following four requirements.

  1. Each elective satisfying a course requirement must be at least 3 semester hours. Combining lower semester-hour courses to satisfy one course requirement is not allowed.
  2. Every math major must take at least one upper-level math course for a BA, and at least two upper-level math courses for a BS. Upper-level math courses are MATH:3900 or MATH courses numbered 4000 or higher but excluding MATH:4010, 4020, and 4120, (courses numbered 22M:096 or 22M:113 or higher excluding 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.
    1. BA: All students who declared a math major in Fall 2012 and after must take at least one upper-level math course for a BA in this program.
    2. BS: All students who declared a math major in Fall 2016 and after must take at least two upper level math courses for a BS in the program. The students who declared a math major in Fall 2012 and after, but before Fall 2016, must take at least one upper-level math course for a BS in the program.
  3. Every subtrack has a list of approved electives, and a certain number of these electives must be in the mathematical sciences. If an area of specialization requires additional courses beyond the five core mathematics courses, these additional courses are counted toward the electives. At least three of the approved electives that students can select must be in the mathematical sciences (mathematics, computer science, statistics and actuarial science or MCS), though not every course from these departments has been approved. See this list of approved mathematical sciences courses. These three mathematical sciences courses must also satisfy the following restrictions:
    1. BA: At least two of these three MCS courses must have MATH (22M) prefix, and must be post-calculus.
    2. BS: All students who declared a math major in Fall 2016 and after must take at least three post-calculus MATH courses including two upper level MATH courses for a BS. All BS students who declared a math major before Fall 2016 are allowed to use the BA option regarding the number of MATH electives.
  4. Students majoring in mathematics must satisfy the department’s residency requirement. Every math major must earn at least 15 semester hours at UI in post-calculus courses offered in mathematical sciences, and at least 12 semester hours of them must be offered by (or be cross-listed with) the Department of Mathematics. The post-calculus courses in mathematics are those MATH courses with numbers higher than 2000 excluding MATH:3700, 3750, 3995-3997, 4010, and 4020 (courses with numbers 22M:27 or higher excluding 22M:31, 32, 81, 104, 105, 109, 110 and 196-199 ). Acceptable post-calculus computer science, statistics, and actuarial science courses must have a calculus prerequisite. No transfer courses or credit by examination will be accepted for the post-calculus course requirement.

The following courses are required of all program students.

  • Calculus I and Calculus II, 8-10 semester hours
    • Starting in Spring 2014, all MATH Calculus I and II courses will each be 4 semester hours
    • Note: Either of the sequences MATH:1550-1560 (22M:031-032, 8 s.h.) or MATH:1850-1860 (22M:025-026, 8 or 10 semester hours) 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 semester hours
  • MATH:2850 (22M:028) Calculus III, 4 semester hours
  • MATH:3720 (22M:050) Introduction to Abstract Algebra I, 4 semester hours or MATH:3770 (22M:055) Fundamental Properties of Spaces and Functions I, 4 semester hours

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

Mathematics (MATH) courses
  • MATH: 3600 or higher, but excluding 3700, 3750, 3995-3997, 4010, 4020, and 4120 (22M:72 or higher excluding 22M: 081, 095, 104, 105, 107, 109, 110, 196-199)
  • Independent study, reading, topics, seminar, project courses are not allowed unless approved by the department in advance.
Computer science (CS) courses

Computer Sciences courses CS:1210 or higher that count toward an undergraduate major in computer science as given in the following list, excluding independent study, reading, topics, seminar, project courses unless approved by the department in advance:

  • CS: 1210, 2110, 2210, 2230, 2420, 2520, 2620, 2630, 2820, 3330, 3620, 3640, 3820, 4330, 4340, 4350, 4640
  • Advanced CS 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 as given in the following list, excluding independent study, reading, topics, seminar, project, exam preparation courses unless approved by the department in advance.

  • STAT:2020 (22S:039) or STAT:3100 (22S:130) or STAT:3120 (22S:120)*
  • STAT: 2010, 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, these courses are 22S:30, 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:130, 22S:120) can be counted; STAT:2020, STAT:3100 and STAT:3120 (22S:39, 22S:130, 22S:120) cannot be used if taken after STAT:4100 (22S:153).

Areas of specialization

Plan of study templates for each of the pre-approved areas of specialization are listed here. Students should prepare a proposed list of courses in consultation with a mathematics advisor. Students must complete the plan of study form before their senior year.

Plan of study

Fillable PDF form for plan of study for the program to be submitted through UI e-mail (example)

Specialization templates

The first two pages of each of the following documents listed outline the requirements previously stated. The third page is the template for the given area of specialization. The following templates are for the students who declared a math major for the first time at UI in fall of 2016 or later.

The Department of Mathematics is in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and therefore, students majoring in mathematics must also satisfy the college's graduation requirements. You will also need to choose whether or not to pursue a BA or BS degree and meet the requirements defined for those degrees.

Sample plan of study