Program Overview

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a Major in Mathematics

The Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a Major in Mathematics is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in mathematics. Upon completing the BS degree with a major in Mathematics, students will be able to achieve both practical and theoretical fluency in calculus and linear algebra, acquire a broad background at the undergraduate level in all the major areas of mathematics, and learn to read and write proofs.

Program Learning Outcomes for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics

The program learning outcomes for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics are:

1. Achieve both practical and theoretical fluency in calculus and linear algebra.
2. Acquire a broad background at the undergraduate level in all the major areas of mathematics, including analysis, algebra, and geometry.
3. Learn to read and write proofs.

Requirements for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BS degree with a major in Mathematics must complete:

• A minimum of 14-17 courses (42-51 credit hours), depending on course selection, to satisfy the major requirements.
• A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 11 courses (33 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.

Course Requirements

The following courses satisfy the requirements for this major:

Core Requirements

• Single Variable Calculus:
  • MATH 101: SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS I 1
  • MATH 102: SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS II 1
  • or MATH 105: AP/OTH CREDIT IN CALCULUS I
  • or MATH 106: AP/OTH CREDIT IN CALCULUS II
• Differential Equations:
  • Select 1 course from the following:
    • MATH 211: ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS AND LINEAR ALGEBRA
    • MATH 220: HONORS ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
    • MATH 381: INTRODUCTION TO PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
    • MATH 423 / CMOR 405: PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS I
• Multivariable Calculus:
  • Select 1 from the following:
    • MATH 212: MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS
    • MATH 221 & MATH 222: HONORS CALCULUS III and HONORS CALCULUS IV
    • MATH 232: HONORS MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS
    • MATH 322: INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS II 2
    • MATH 370: CALCULUS ON MANIFOLDS 3
• Linear Algebra:
  • Select 1 course from the following:
    • MATH 221: HONORS CALCULUS III
    • MATH 354: HONORS LINEAR ALGEBRA
    • MATH 355: LINEAR ALGEBRA
• Real Analysis:
  • Select 2 courses from the following:
    • MATH 321: INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS I
    • MATH 322: INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS II 2
    • MATH 331: HONORS ANALYSIS
    • MATH 425: INTEGRATION THEORY
• Algebra:
  • Select 2 courses from the following:
    • MATH 356: ABSTRACT ALGEBRA I
    • MATH 357: ABSTRACT ALGEBRA II
    • MATH 463: ADVANCED ALGEBRA I
• Geometry and Manifolds:
  • Select 1 course from the following:
    • MATH 370: CALCULUS ON MANIFOLDS 3
    • MATH 401: DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY OF CURVES AND SURFACES
    • MATH 402: DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY
    • MATH 451: DIFFERENTIABLE MANIFOLDS
    • MATH 452: RIEMANNIAN GEOMETRY
• Complex Analysis:
  • MATH 382: COMPUTATIONAL COMPLEX ANALYSIS
  • or MATH 427: COMPLEX ANALYSIS
• Topology:
  • Select 1 course from the following:
    • MATH 443: GENERAL TOPOLOGY
    • MATH 444: GEOMETRIC TOPOLOGY
    • MATH 445: ALGEBRAIC TOPOLOGY

Elective Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours from departmental (MATH) course offerings at the 300-level or above.

Policies for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics

Program Restrictions and Exclusions

• Students pursuing the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics should be aware of the following program restrictions:
  • Students may not obtain both a BA and a BS in the same major.
  • Students may not major and minor in the same subject.

Transfer Credit

• For Rice University's policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit.
• Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit.
• Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the designated transfer credit advisor for the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course.

Opportunities for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics

Academic Honors

• The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate's academic history at Rice.
• For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work.
• Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.