The Honors Program at The Ohio State University is a unique opportunity to live and learn in a small community of dedicated scholars and students, while at the same time enjoying the advantages of being part of a major research university. Training in mathematics is at the core of any outstanding honors program in engineering, physical, biological or social sciences. With this in mind, the Ohio State Department of Mathematics has developed a unified four-year program of honors courses in mathematics serving the needs of a wide spectrum of honors undergraduate students. Both honors and non-honors students are eligible to enroll in honors math courses.

The foundation of the program is a one-year sequence in the calculus of one and several variables. The Department's appreciation of the varying levels and abilities of entering students is reflected in the availability of two honors sequences at this level. For those who are ready and eager to explore the deeper theoretical underpinnings of the calculus, the department offers the sequence Math 190H-191H-264H. This enriched sequence, which is the most rigorous of the calculus options, is intended to stimulate the development of mathematical thinking. It is designed to challenge talented, highly motivated students who enter the University already familiar with differential and integral calculus, regardless of their chosen major area of study. The typical student has earned a 4 or 5 on the BC Advanced Placement Exam and has a Math ACT score >= 32, or a Math SAT score >= 700.

For those who have demonstrated technical mastery of calculus and who would like deeper insights into some of the theory that makes it all work, we offer the sequence Math 161.01H-162.01H-263.01H. Students in this sequence will be exposed to proofs and held to higher standards of mathematical rigor than those in nonhonors versions. Although not as rigorous as 190H, both of these options assume mastery of differentiation of polynomial and trigonometric functions, and compress the typical four-quarter calculus sequence into three quarters.

Students who feel that 161.01H or 190H are appropriate course options should complete the math honors questionnaire and consult with the Math faculty member available at orientation.

Students successfully completing either 263.01H (345 recommended to be taken concurrently with it; permission necessary) or 264H and interested in an in-depth study of the mathematics which forms the mathematical heart-and-soul of chemistry, physics and engineering will want to enroll in the second year sequence: Math 520H-521H-522H. This sequence presents linear algebra, differential equations and complex analysis for honors students. While these courses are theory-and-proof oriented, they do not neglect the fundamental skills needed in scientific applications.  Math 264H also prepares students to take a one-quarter course in Rigorous Probability (Math 531H).

Successful completion of 520H qualifies a student for either the two-quarter sequence Math 540H - 541H or a sequence in number theory, Math 576H - 577H. Math 540H and 541H are courses on the geometry and topology of n-dimensional spaces and manifolds. This material is key to understanding the world of modern physics and is valuable for students pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics, physics and engineering. The other sequence, 576H - 577H, presents the queen of Mathematics - Number Theory - in its historical development stressing mutually perpetuating bridges between number theory and algebra, geometry, and analysis. These sequences are offered in alternating years. Finally, 520H prepares students for a three-quarter sequence in abstract algebra, Math 590H-591H-592H. 

Math 590H-591H-592H is a sequence in algebraic theory covering the major structures of groups, rings and fields. This background is a prerequisite to advanced study in mathematics and also provides an understanding of the mathematical language of symmetry and invariants essential to chemistry, quantum physics and electrical engineering. It also provides the context for exploring coding theory, modern electrical engineering and the world of computer and information science.

For students who love the challenge of brain-teasing mathematical problems, we offer two honors problems courses: 187.01H (for students without a calculus background) and 487H (for students with calculus expertise). These courses also serve as a training ground for the national Putnam Exam in Mathematics with the course instructor coaching the Putnam team. They also help prepare students for our in-house Rasor-Bareis-Gordon Math Competition, which is held each February.

All honors courses are taught in small classes (25 or fewer students) with faculty instructors who committed to the needs of each student. Classmates will be among the best students at The Ohio State University, all eager to learn and explore new ideas. Recent honors students have received national recognition for their scholarship by being awarded Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships and/or National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships. Within this University, our honors majors have been routinely elected to Phi Beta Kappa and earned "Excellence in Scholarship Awards", "President's Salute to Undergraduate Achievement" and other distinctions.

Graduation "With Distinction in Mathematics" may be accomplished by either researching a challenging problem in mathematics under the direction of one of our regular faculty members, or by completing selected graduate level course work. Recent graduates who pursued this option have gone on to successful doctoral studies in mathematics at Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, Berkeley, New York University, Michigan and other leading universities.

Undergraduate students can also engage in research activities by participating in one of the Working Groups.  These Working Groups are small groups of faculty and students who are interested in a common research venture.  Undergraduate students work directly with professors on interesting open-ended problems.  Each student will be mentored by a faculty member. By exploring their projects together with together students and faculty, students will not only delve into an active research area but also learn how to work and communicate with others.  In addition, opportunities exist for students to present research papers at various conferences around the country.

Another research opportunity exists with the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI).  The MBI fosters interactions between the biological, medical, and mathematical sciences and offers opportunities for undergraduates to participate in a research project each summer.  MBI receives major funding from the National Science Foundation. Further information on either program can be found at this website http://mbi.osu.edu.  MBI also has an additional opportunity for undergraduates called Research for Undergraduates:  Adventures in Mathematical Biology and its Applications (RUMBA).  RUMBA is an initiative to facilitate undergraduate research at the confluence of mathematics and biology.  OSU undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from enrolling in newly developed coursework to working as an Undergraduate Research Fellow (URF) in an intensive funded research experience.

This is the cornucopia of possibilities available in the Honors Program in Mathematics at the Ohio State University. We hope you will join us and share the honors experience!

For further information, contact:

Professor Vitaly Bergelson, Honors Chair

Department of Mathematics

231 W. 18th Avenue

Columbus, Ohio 43210

(614) 292-1180 or

Mathematics Counselors - (614) 292-6994