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2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Requirements for a Major in Mathematics - Theoretical Mathematics Emphasis

Students planning a major in mathematics with theoretical mathematics emphasis must complete a total of 15 courses (49-53 credits) divided into three categories; Core courses, Elective courses, and Computer Science/Statistics courses. These are described as follows:

Core courses

All students with a major in mathematics with theoretical mathematics emphasis must complete the following 10 core courses (34 credits):

Elective courses

Take additional elective courses (9-11 credits) from the following list for a total of 13 courses. At least 12 of the core/elective courses must be in mathematics (MTH) and at least one additional 400-level MTH course must be taken besides the required courses: The required capstone course may not be counted as an elective.

If you are a double major, see your math faculty advisor to discuss substituting one course from your other major with a substantial math prerequisite (at least MTH 201 or MTH 204) in place of one class on this list.

Computer Science/Statistics courses

All students seeking a major in mathematics with theoretical mathematics emphasis must complete the following 2 courses (6-8 credits):

Preparation for Graduate Work in Theoretical Mathematics

Majors who plan to complete graduate work in mathematics are encouraged to

  • take as many upper-division mathematics courses as possible from the elective courses list;
  • take MTH 450 or MTH 409 as one additional 400-level course; and
  • consult with their advisor about other courses that might be appropriate for their interests and about procedures for applying to graduate school.

Requirements for a Major in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics Emphasis

All students with a major in mathematics with applied mathematics emphasis must complete a total of 15 courses (48-53 credits) divided into three categories; Core courses, Elective courses, and computer science/statistics courses. These are described as follows:

Core courses

All students with a major in mathematics with applied mathematics emphasis must complete the following 11 core courses (36-37 credits):

Elective courses

Take additional elective courses (6-8 credits) from the following list for a total of 13 core/elective courses. At least one from this list must be a 400-level MTH course, and at most one from this list can have a non-MTH prefix. The required capstone course may not be counted as an elective.

If you are a double major, see your math faculty advisor to discuss substituting one course from your other major with a substantial math prerequisite (at least MTH 201 or MTH 204) in place of one class on this list.

Computer Science/Statistics courses

All students seeking a major in mathematics with applied mathematics emphasis must complete the following 2 courses (6-8 credits):

Requirements for a Major in Mathematics - Secondary Certification Emphasis (45-46 Credits)

The Major in mathematics with secondary certification emphasis is designed for students seeking certification to teach mathematics in the middle grades (5-9), high school (7-12), or both. Students in the secondary certification emphasis will choose between two tracks: dual band (grades 5-12; 45 credits) or single band (grades 5-9; 45-46 credits). In either case, students earn a major in mathematics and complete coursework that builds robust mathematical and pedagogical knowledge for teaching mathematics in the certification band(s).

Associated Programs

Secondary Education Major. In order to achieve certification, all students must also complete a major in Secondary Education through the College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI). Together, the two majors meet the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Standards for the Preparation of Teachers of Mathematics (endorsement code EQ). Candidates must also pass the corresponding Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) tests to earn their teacher certificate and endorsements.

Requirements for the Secondary Certification Emphasis - Core Courses

The major in mathematics with secondary certification emphasis must be completed with a GPA of 2.7 to apply for the secondary teacher apprenticeship, secondary teacher internship, and required concurrent courses.

All mathematics majors with secondary certification emphasis will complete the following required core 9 courses (30 credits):

Additional Course Requirements - Secondary Cert., Dual Band (5-12)

Mathematics majors in the secondary certification emphasis who choose the dual band (5-12) track will complete the following additional 4 courses (12 credits):

AND one elective from the following list (3 credits); the elective course must be different from the Capstone course.

Additional Course Requirements - Secondary Cert., Single Band (5-9)

Mathematics majors in the secondary certification emphasis who choose the single band (5-9) track will complete the following additional 5 courses (15 credits):

Elective List A:

Elective List B:

B.S. Requirements

Students complete the Bachelor of Science requirements through the following required courses:

B.A. Requirements

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in the mathematics major will have additional requirements. B.A. students must demonstrate third-semester proficiency in a foreign language by successfully completing a 201-level language course, passing a proficiency exam in the language chosen, or through AP credit.

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Mathematics

The following sample mathematics schedules assume the student is in contact with an advisor for appropriate general education requirements and has a strong mathematics background. Students who do not begin with MTH 201 will need to make appropriate changes.

Mathematics Majors with Theoretical Mathematics Emphasis

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

Mathematics Majors with Applied Mathematics Emphasis

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

Mathematics Major with Secondary Certification Emphasis, Dual Band (5-12) Track

Year One (5-12 Track):

Year Two (5-12 Track)

Year Three (5-12 track):

Year Four (5-12 track):

Mathematics Major with Secondary Certification Emphasis, Single Band (9-12) Track

Year One (5-9 track):

Year Two (5-9 track):

Year Three (5-9 track):

Year Four (5-9 track):

Click here for the program description.


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