Undergraduate Studies

Major & Minors

student studying in the libraryMajor Program

The Department of Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mathematics. Learn more about the degree requirements in the UA Undergraduate Catalog.

Learn when math courses are typically offered on the course offerings page.

Optional Concentrations

Students who wish to enhance their knowledge in a particular area of study within the mathematical sciences may elect to organize their coursework around the four concentrations listed below. Though not required, these concentrations allow the students to develop an area of specialization within the major and would be part of their required upper division sequence and/or electives listed in the major.

Pure Mathematics

The concentration in Pure Mathematics focuses on studying the underlying structure of mathematics. The concept of proof is an essential component of this concentration. This concentration is of particular interest to students wishing to pursue graduate degrees in mathematics or theoretical physics, and those students focusing on areas such as cryptography in computer science.

Applied Mathematics

The Applied Mathematics concentration is composed of several courses to give students a background in the applications of mathematics. All students completing this concentration must take Theory of Probability and Introduction to Complex Variables to gain an understanding of these tools that are used in many different fields. Additionally, students need to complete a sequence in one of the areas of applied mathematics that focus on either modeling through differential equations, modeling through optimization techniques, or the study of numerical techniques. This concentration pairs well with majors in Engineering and Sciences and studies much of the mathematics needed for further studies in those fields.

Mathematical Statistics and Optimization

Our information based economy involves problems that require the ability to analyze large amounts of data. This concentration teaches students the mathematical techniques necessary for large scale data analysis from probabilistic, statistical, and/or optimization perspectives. This concentration would be beneficial for students interested in pursuing careers in actuarial science, business analytics, statistics, and other fields that involve data analysis.

Mathematics Education

This concentration is designed to prepare students to have the content knowledge needed to teach mathematics at the secondary level. This concentration does not lead to teacher certification. Students interested in earning teacher certification must be admitted through the College of Education and should either complete the Secondary Education-Mathematics Major, or the Mathematics Education Minor and the Alternative Certification Masters program in conjunctions with these courses.

Double Majors

Many mathematics majors choose to complete second majors in computer science, electrical engineering, economics, and finance, among other fields.

Minor Programs

We offer four minor programs: two generalized minors designed for students pursuing non-education degrees, one specifically for College of Education students, and one for students interested in actuarial science.

Read about specific requirements for any of these minors in the Department of Mathematics section of the UA Undergraduate Catalog.

Generalized Minors

The Department of Mathematics offers two general minors, both of which require 21 semester hours of math courses:

Math Education Minor

A minor in mathematics education is available to education students pursuing the mathematics major (mathematics education track). Read detailed requirements in the UA Undergraduate Catalog.

Actuarial Science

The Department of Mathematics has partnered with the Culverhouse College of Business to create an Actuarial Science minor.