Undergraduate Program
mathematics
Table of Contents |
Contacts
- Department Offices: Carney Hall, Rooms 301 and 318
- Department Phone: 617-552-3750
- Department Fax: 617-552-3789
- www.bc.edu/math
Undergraduate Program Description
The Mathematics Department offers two undergraduate degree programs, leading to the Bachelor of Science and to the Bachelor of Arts.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The Bachelor of Arts program in Mathematics is designed to provide a solid foundation in the main areas of mathematics and mathematical applications. Course work is offered in preparation for careers in the actuarial profession, applied areas of government and industry, and education. Students who succeed in the program make excellent candidates for law school and other professional schools.
Requirements for Mathematics B.A. for the Classes of 2014 and Following
The Mathematics B.A. major requires completion of at least 33 credits, including:
- MT 202 Multivariable Calculus
- MT 210 Linear Algebra
- MT 216 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
- MT 310 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
- MT 320 Introduction to Analysis
- Eighteen elective credits chosen from MT courses numbered 400 or higher
No more than three credits may be accumulated toward the major in courses granting fewer than three credits.
With the approval of the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs, advanced students may omit required courses, substituting three credits in MT courses numbered 400 or higher for each.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
The Bachelor of Science program in Mathematics is designed to give students a rigorous and thorough mathematical experience, one that includes connection to another area of scholarship in which mathematics is an essential tool. In particular, the program is strongly recommended for those who wish to pursue graduate study in mathematics.
Requirements for Mathematics B.S. Majors for the Classes of 2014 and Following
The Mathematics B.S. major requires completion of at least 36 credits, including:
- MT 202 Multivariable Calculus
- MT 210 Linear Algebra
- MT 216 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
- MT 311-312 Algebra I, II
- MT 321-322 Analysis I, II
- MT 460 Complex Variables
- Twelve elective credits in mathematics numbered 400 or above
- Twelve credits in natural science, computer science, or economics courses (listed below).
No more than three credits may be accumulated toward the major in courses granting fewer than three credits.
With the approval of the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs, advanced students may omit required courses, substituting three credits in MT courses numbered 400 or higher for each.
Corequisite Science Courses for B.S. in Mathematics
- BI 200 Molecules and Cells
- BI 202 Organisms and Populations
- BI 304 Cell Biology
- BI 305 Genetics
- BI 420 Introduction to Bioinformatics
- BI 524 Computational Foundations of Bioinformatics
- CH 109 (117)-110 (118) General (Modern) Chemistry I, II
- CH 351 Analytical Chemistry
- CH 575-576 Physical Chemistry I, II
- CS 227 Introduction to Scientific Computation
- CS 244 Randomness and Computation
- CS 381 Cryptography
- CS 383 Algorithms
- CS 385 Theory of Computation
- EC 228 Econometric Methods
- EC 308 Game Theory in Economics
- EC 311 Mathematics for Economists
- GE 132-134 Exploring the Earth I, II
- GE 391 Introduction to Geophysics
- PH 209 (211)-210 (212) Introduction to Physics (Calculus) I, II
- Any upper division course for majors in Physics.
Additional Major Requirement (all students)
A grade point average of at least 1.67 in the MT courses used to fulfill the major.
Some students may need to complete (or will benefit from completing) MT 102 Calculus I (Math/Science Majors) and Calculus II (Math/Science Majors), (numbered MT 105 in the Fall and MT 103 in the Spring) to prepare for the major. Well prepared students with a strong Calculus BC program may, and sometimes should, begin directly in MT 202. Exceptionally strong students may apply for the Honors Section of MT 202, and should contact the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs. More information about Calculus courses and suggestions for choosing the right Calculus course can be found at www.bc.edu/mathadvise.
Each student should consult directly with the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs or a Mathematics Advisor at Orientation to determine the appropriate and recommended Calculus choice for their situation.
Departmental Honors
Candidates for either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science who meet the following requirements will be awarded Departmental Honors in Mathematics:
- Completion of the mathematics requirements for the B.S. degree.
- A grade point average of at least 3.3 in all math courses numbered 300 and above.
- Completion, as one of the required electives, of an honors thesis course MT 498 or an independent study course MT 499 under the direction of a faculty member; or completion, as one of the required electives, of one graduate course at the 800 level; or participation, as one of the required electives, in the Honors Seminar MT 695.
Each student's honors program must be approved individually by the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs.
The Minor in Mathematics
The Mathematics Department also offers a program for majors in other disciplines leading to the Minor in Mathematics.
Requirements for the Minor in Mathematics for the Classes of 2014 and Following:
- MT 101 Calculus II, MT 103 Calculus II (Math/Science), or MT 105 Calculus II
- MT 202 Multivariable Calculus
- MT 210 Linear Algebra
- Nine elective credits, chosen from:
- MT 216 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
- MT 226 Probability for Bioinformatics
- MT 245 Discrete Mathematics
- MT 305 Advanced Calculus (Science majors)
- MT 310 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
- MT 311 Algebra I
- MT 320 Introduction to Analysis
- MT321 Analysis I
- MT major courses numbered 400 or higher
Only one of MT 226 and MT 426, only one of MT 305 and MT 410, only one of MT310 and MT311, and only one of MT320 and MT321 may be counted toward the Mathematics minor.
No more than three credits may be accumulated toward the minor in courses granting fewer than three credits.
Five-Year Combined B.A./M.A.
The Department offers a combined B.A./M.A. program, leading to the bachelor’s degree after four years, and the master’s degree after completion of a fifth year. In short, this program allows the student to complete a master’s degree in just one year, rather than the usual two years.
Applications to the combined program should be made during the Spring semester of junior year, and careful planning of undergraduate courses is essential to completion of the program. Interested students should consult with the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs.
Information for Study Abroad
Normally, Mathematics majors should have completed MT 103, MT 202, MT 210, and MT 216 before going abroad. For students abroad in the second semester of junior year only, you should also complete at least one of MT 310/MT 311 or MT 320/MT 321 before leaving.
Students usually may take no more than two mathematics courses for credit towards the mathematics major while abroad, although exceptions may be made if the host institution provides suitable offerings. All courses to be used for major credit must be approved beforehand.
There are no restrictions on what type of mathematics course you may take while abroad, but usually each will be counted as an elective. Choices most commonly available include courses in Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Graph Theory/Combinatorics, Number Theory, Complex Analysis, Probability and Statistics, Mathematical Modeling, and Operations Research.
Substitutes for the required 300-level courses in Algebra and Analysis may be available while abroad. However, these titles are generic, and thus it is extremely important that you check with the Department about taking either one of these two courses abroad, to be sure that the level of the course matches your background.
For course approval, contact the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs.
Choosing Courses and Fulfilling Core Requirements
All students at Boston College are required to complete one mathematics course as part of the University Core Curriculum. A score of 4 or higher on either the Calculus AB or BC Advanced Placement Exam (once recorded on your transcript by the Admissions Office) exempts you from this Core requirement.
Some schools or major programs, however, may require more than this minimum, or perhaps require a specific Calculus course or courses. Basic guidelines for students who fall into these categories (or who are seriously thinking about choosing majors in these categories) are as follows:
Majors in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science (B.S.), Geology, or Geophysics
Enroll in your first semester of freshman year in one of the Calculus courses MT 102 (Calculus I/Math and Science), MT 105 (Calculus II-AP/Math and Science), or MT 202 (Multivariable Calculus). If you have had a solid year of calculus, MT 105 is usually the most appropriate choice. Well prepared students with a strong Calculus BC program may, and sometimes should, begin directly in MT 202. Exceptionally strong students may apply for the Honors Section of MT 202, and should contact the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs.
Majors in Biology or Computer Science (B.A.), and all Premedical students
Enroll in your first semester of freshman year in one of the Calculus courses MT 100 (Calculus I), MT 101 (Calculus II), or MT 202 (Multivariable Calculus). If you have had a solid year of calculus (the AB curriculum), MT 101 is usually the most appropriate choice. Particularly well-prepared students should consider MT 202. If you have a strong interest in mathematics, you should consider choosing a Calculus course from the MT 102–MT 105–MT 202 sequence mentioned above.
Carroll School of Management students
If you have not received AP credit for Calculus, you should complete one of the Calculus courses MT 100 (Calculus I), MT 101 (Calculus II), or MT 202 (Multivariable Calculus) in one of the semesters of freshman year. If you have had a year of calculus, MT 101 is usually the most appropriate choice. Particularly well-prepared students should consider MT 202. If you have a strong interest in mathematics, you should consider choosing a Calculus course from the MT 102–MT 105–MT 202 sequence mentioned above.
Other students
For all other students seeking to fulfill the Core requirement in mathematics, you may take a Core-level mathematics course at any time--it need not be (and sometimes simply cannot be) completed right away in freshman year. You certainly have the option to elect a Calculus course for the Core requirement, but there often may be more appropriate course selections available to you, such as:
- MT 004 Finite Probability and Applications
- MT 007 Ideas in Mathematics
- MT 180 Principles of Statistics for the Health Sciences (CSON students)
- MT 190 Fundamentals of Mathematics I (LSOE students in Elementary Education or Human Development)
For more complete information on course selection, please visit the course selection area of the Mathematics Department website at www.bc.edu/mathadvise.