The Mathematics Undergraduate Program
OVERVIEW
Students majoring in mathematics may follow a program leading to either
the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.
After completing basic introductory courses such as calculus and linear
algebra, students plan an upper division program in consultation with a
faculty adviser. The upper division course offering is grouped into
entry level, core, and enrichment courses. Entry level courses are
designed to serve as a bridge between the concrete mathematics of the
lower division and the more abstract concepts taught in upper division
courses. The core classes are intended to provide the basic mathematical
techniques, whereas the enrichment choices allow students to further
their mathematical knowledge and skills that feature their research or
career interests. This individualized program can lead to graduate study
in pure or applied mathematics, to elementary or secondary level
teaching, or to other professional goals. It can also reflect a special
interest such as computational and applied mathematics, computer
science, or statistics, or may be combined with a major in some other field.
Career Alternatives. An undergraduate degree in mathematics provides
entry to many careers in addition to teaching. For instance, operations
research, systems analysis, computing, actuarial work, insurance, and
financial services are only a few such careers. Mathematics is also a
sound basis for graduate work in a variety of fields, such as law,
medicine, engineering, and economics.
For more information regarding mathematical careers, consult
our Careers in Mathematics web page.
THE MAJORS
Mathematics. This major is most suitable for students who like
to learn the abstract way of thinking that mathematics offers. There
are two plans within this major, each with a different selection of
courses. The General Mathematics option is for students who intend to
continue to study mathematics in graduate school or plan to pursue
a career that utilizes mathematics. The Secondary Teaching option
is for those who are interested in primary or secondary teaching.
To see the required courses for each major, you can download the forms
from the Degree Requirements area of our web page.
Mathematical and Scientific Computation.
This major is intended for students who like the interaction between
mathematics and computers. There are two different emphases in this
major. The Computational and Mathematical Emphasis is for students who
prefer connections to computer science, and the Computational and
Mathematical Biology Emphasis is for those with interests in mathematical
and computational biology. Both emphases require some courses outside
the Department of Mathematics.
Applied Mathematics.
Students who are interested in applications of mathematics to engineering
and other applied sciences should consider this major. It requires one
upper division course outside the Department of Mathematics.
For more information about each of these majors, consult the
Degree Requirements page on our website, as well
as the
UC
Davis Online Catalog
section for the
Department
of Mathematics
(to see Math courses, use the link at the TOP of this page), which
includes course descriptions
and other general degree requirements. The 2006-2008 Catalog will be available
online and in the Bookstore on June 21, 2006.
For current information on our courses,
consult the
Courses page of our web site.
THE MINOR
A minor in the Department of Mathematics consists of completing 20 units
in upper division mathematics courses exclusive of MAT 192, 197TC, 198,
and 199. To request certification of a minor, you must have a grade
point average of 2.0 in all courses required for the minor. View the
Minor Requirements
page for more complete information.
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