Transferring from Engineering to Math

This page provides information for students wishing to transfer from the College of Engineering to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to pursue a major in mathematics.  Students who wish to transfer to the College of Engineering should talk with an advisor from the College of Engineering to see how previous math courses count toward Engineering credits and requirements. 

Please read about Duplication and the Second-Grade Only (SGO) options for the engineering math courses and the standard math courses, as well as the reduction of credit for partial duplication in the absence of SGO. In general, students staying in only one sequence (standard or engineering) is advised.  The two sequences are:

  • Standard Math Sequence: MATH:1850, 1860, 2700, 2850, 3600 (total of 19 sh)
  • Engineering Math Sequence: MATH:1550, 1560, 2550, 2560, 3550 (total of 16 sh)

If changing from one sequence to the other is better for the student, then it should be done only once. Going back and forth between sequences is not advisable, due to the loss of semester hours and time. The substitutions mentioned below are not automatic for math majors.  For example, in order for MATH:1550 and 1560 to satisfy the MATH:1850 and 1860 requirement for a math major, the Department of Mathematics needs to inform the Registrar.  Requests for substitutions need to be initiated by the student talking to the student’s math advisor.  Requests should be sent to Prof. Yangbo Ye, Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Mathematics. 

The core courses for the Program A Mathematics are the courses from the standard math sequence: MATH:1850, 1860, 2700, 2850, 3600 (total of 19 sh) and the two proofs courses: MATH:3720 and 3770.  In general, we encourage students to move forward and not take courses duplicating some of the engineering sequence. Please follow the recommendations in the table below for completing the MATH:1850, 1860, 2700, 2850, 3600 requirements. Also, make sure to take the proofs courses MATH:3720 and 3770, which have no engineering versions.

For Program B or C, consult the Math Department. Particularly for Program C, students should learn about the Engineering subtrack.

If student completed only: Then:
MATH:1550
  • Do not take MATH:1850
  • Take MATH:1860 and the rest of the standard math sequence.
MATH:1550 and MATH:1560
  • Do not take MATH:1850 or MATH:1860.
  • Take MATH:2700 and the rest of the standard math sequence.
MATH:1550, MATH:1560, and MATH:2550
  • Do not take MATH:1850 or MATH:1860.
  • Choose one of the following.
    • Take MATH:2700 for an additional 2 semester hours.
    • Take an additional post-calculus course.
    • Take MATH:4040 if a solid basis in linear algebra is required (for example, if student is going to grad school in math, sciences, or engineering).
  • Take MATH:2850 and MATH:3600.
MATH:1550, MATH:1560, MATH:2550, and MATH:2560

Option I

  • Do not take MATH:1850 or 1860 or 3600
  • Choose one of the options:
    • (i) take MATH:2700 for an additional 2 sh, OR
    • (ii) take an additional post-calculus course (such as MATH:3800), OR
    • (iii) take MATH:4040 if you need to have a solid basis in linear algebra (such as going to grad school in math or sciences or engineering).
  • Take MATH:2850 for a solid background in multivariable calculus.

Option II

  • Do not take MATH:1850 or 1860 or 2700 or 3600
  • Choose two courses from the list MATH:3800, 4040, 4500, 4610, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5810. Rationale: Count the semester hours, you have taken 13 sh in engineering math, but the standard math sequence is 19 sh.
MATH:1550, MATH:1560, MATH:2550, MATH:2560, and MATH:3550
  • Do not take MATH:1850 or 1860 or 2700 or 2850 or 3600
  • Choose one course from the list MATH:3800, 4040, 4500, 4610, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5810. Rationale: Count the semester hours, you have taken 16 sh in engineering math, but the standard math sequence is 19 sh.

If the above recommendations are not followed, you may have one or more of the following combinations with substantial overlap.  The Department of Mathematics counts these combinations with a reduction in the total credits (if there is no SGO involved) for students seeking a major or minor in math.  Please see the MATH Duplication, Regression and Second-Grade-Only Option page for additional information.

  • MATH:1560 and MATH:1860 is 6 semester hours total
  • MATH:1560 and MATH:2850 is 6 semester hours total
  • MATH:1560, MATH:1860, and MATH:2850 is 8 semester hours total (since all of MATH:1560 is covered in MATH:1860 or MATH:2850)
  • MATH:2550 and MATH:2700 is 4 semester hours total (since all of MATH:2550 is covered in MATH:2700)
  • MATH:3550 and MATH:2850 is 5 semester hours total (since most of MATH:3550 is included in MATH:2850)
  • MATH:1560, MATH:3550, and MATH:2850 is 7 semester hours total