OSU Mathematics Undergraduate Majors and Minors
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The OSU Department of Mathematics offers Undergraduate Programs in several major and minor areas. Click the Information Page links below for more information.
- For information on Mathematics as a Field of Study, please see an overview of the Mathematics Major.
- For information on Career Options (including Graduate Study/Careers/Jobs), click here.
1. Students majoring in math who plan to graduate with Honors in the Arts and Sciences MUST take at least the 161.01H or 190H sequence and one other honors math sequence.
2. Honors students who are planning to do a math minor are required to do an Honors Math Minor.
3. ALERT: In the courses that constitute the majors or minors, students must have a C- or better and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in these courses.
4. Although the undergraduate 590H sequence uses the same text as the Graduate 670 sequence and the two courses may be taught in the same room at the same time, undergraduates must schedule for the 590H sequence.
5. Hopefully, effective Au09, the traditional math major and the math major applied option will be configured into six tracks: traditional, education, financial math, bio-math, applied math, applied discrete math. The actuarial science major remains the same.
6. Students who entered the university prior to Au09 may follow the old requirements (see the Math Advisors) or the new requirements (see below).
7. Students will be required to obtain written approval for some tracks prior to their junior year for their planned program of study from a faculty advisor, assigned by the Mathematics Counselors.
8. Departmental majors must embed a minimum of 60 hours of ASC or ASC-approved Upper Division course work.
9. In addition, students entering Au07 and beyond must complete a minimum of 181 credit hours. Sample programs do not include General Education requirements and do not necessarily add up to 181 credit hours. Students may need to take additional elective course work to reach the 181 minimum.
PROGRAM SELECTION
- Honors Program
The Department of Mathematics offers a strong four-year sequence of honors courses as well as enrichment courses and problem solving seminars. These courses are accelerated, more concept-oriented versions of the regular sequences designed to challenge the well-prepared, highly motivated student, not necessarily a math major. - Actuarial Sciences Major
Actuaries are experts in the design, financing, and operation of all kinds of insurance and pension plans. This major is designed to prepare a student for actuarial work by providing substantial course work in mathematics and statistics within the framework of a liberal arts education. - Information Page
- Scholarships available on the web
- FAQ about Actuarial Science and Financial Math
- Traditional Math Track
The traditional track is intended for students seeking a strong foundation in classical mathematics, in particular for students intending to pursue graduate study in mathematics. Students planning to pursue a PhD. in mathematics are strongly encouraged to take the honors version of the math courses listed below, whenever possible.
- Education Track
The Education Track is designed for students seeking secondary education licensure in mathematics. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required in the math courses and a minimum 3.0 GPA overall.
- Old Applied Math Track
NOTE: The new Math Major tracks are pending final Administrative approval and we are hopeful that they will be approved during Au09.
The tracks below are under construction and we are currently NOT doing advising for them.
- Financial Math Track
The Financial Math Track is designed for students seeking a career in quantitative finance or a related field. Students planning to pursue graduate studies in financial mathematics are strongly encouraged to take the honors versions of the mathematics courses, whenever possible.
- Bio-Math Track
"Mathematics is applicable to many different aspects of biology, and new applications are continually being found." This major is designed to prepare a student for research in mathematical biology or medicine. - Applied Math Track
This applied math option is intended for students seeking a strong foundation in mathematics and its application in physical science.
- Applied Discrete Math Track
The applied discrete math option is intended for students seeking a career in mathematics focusing on discrete mathematics and computation. This includes students intending to pursue a PhD in either combinatorics or mathematical logic. These students are strongly encouraged to take at least two algebra courses, two analysis courses, and the honors options of the courses, whenever possible.
- Mathematics Minor
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Mathematical methods are used today in the social sciences as well as the physical and biological sciences. A minor program in mathematics is a useful supplement to a major program in many widely differing areas.
- Statistics Minor for Math and Actuarial Science Majors
