Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

For Students in the College of Arts and Sciences

Your intended major or associated program usually determines which mathematics course(s) you should take. Students in the Lynch School of Education who major in Secondary Education should follow the guidelines on these pages as well, according to their selection of an Arts and Science major.

Choose the first description below that best fits what you major will or is highly likely to be. Don't worry about how exact the description is at this point; just pick the first major or program description that comes closest to matching your situation.

Students majoring in Mathematics complete a core of five or seven courses, depending on degree program, plus a number of electives.

Core Courses for Math Majors

The core courses for the B.A. program are:

The core courses for the B.S. program are:

Notes for Freshman Majors

  1. Students with no Calculus AP credit or with no Calculus background will usually prepare by taking MATH1102 Calculus I (Math and Science Majors), and continuing to MATH1103 Calculus II (Math and Science Majors).
  2. Students with Calculus AP credit and a year of a "Calculus AB" curriculum will usually prepare with MATH1105 Calculus II-AP (Math and Science Majors).
  3. Students who studied a year of a "Calculus BC" curriculum and achieved a score of five on the Calculus BC Advanced placement exam should consider enrolling directly in MATH2202 Multivariable Calculus.
  4. More complete information on choosing your first course from among the Calculus courses MATH1102, MATH1103, MATH1105, and MATH2202 is available on our Math and Science Calculus Information pages.
  5. In a handful of special cases, it may be both possible and reasonable to bypass the Calculus sequence altogether and begin either with the MATH2210 Linear Algebra course, or even the MATH2216 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics course. We highly recommend that you talk to the Assistant Chair for Undergraduates, or e-mail the Department directly if you think this might be appropriate for you.
  6. Our recent experience has shown that about one third of eventual majors take MATH2202 as a first course at BC; slightly more take MATH1103/MATH1105 as a first course at BC; and slightly fewer take MATH1102 as a first course.  

Elective Courses for Math Majors

The major is completed with electives, the number and nature of which depend on the degree program.

More information about elective courses can be found through our Department website on the Math Major Requirements page. 

Physics, Geology-Geophysics, Geophysics, and Chemistry majors have the following math requirements. Please be sure that you visit the Math & Physical Sciences Major subsection of the Calculus area on this website to help choose the Calculus course that's right for you.

Geophysics, Geology-Geophysics, and Physics Majors

Your major requires that you complete the ordinary Calculus sequence and then MT305, usually in this order:

  • MT102 Calculus I (Math and Science Majors)
  • MT103 Calculus II (Math and Science Majors) -- MT105 Calculus II-AP (Math and Science Majors) may substitute
  • MT202 Multivariable Calculus
  • MT305 Advanced Calculus (Science Majors)

Note

  • Students with no Calculus AP credit or with no Calculus background should begin Calculus with MT102 Calculus I (Math and Science Majors).
  • Students with Calculus AP credit and a year of a "Calculus AB" curriculum should enroll directly in MT105 Calculus II-AP (Math and Science Majors).
  • Students who have studied a year of a "Calculus BC" curriculum and who achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC Advanced Placement exam should consider enrolling directly in MT202 Multivariable Calculus.

Chemistry Majors

Your major requires that you complete the Calculus sequence:

  • MT102 Calculus I (Math and Science Majors)
  • MT103 Calculus II (Math and Science Majors) -- MT105 Calculus II-AP (Math and Science Majors) may substitute
  • MT202 Multivariable Calculus.

Note

  • Students with no Calculus AP credit or with no Calculus background should begin Calculus with MT102 Calculus I (Math and Science Majors).
  • Students with Calculus AP credit and a year of a "Calculus AB" curriculum should enroll directly in MT105 Calculus II-AP (Math and Science Majors).
  • Students who have studied a year of a "Calculus BC" curriculum and who achieved a score of 5 on the Calculus BC Advanced Placement exam should consider enrolling directly in MT202 Multivariable Calculus.
  • It is recommended, but not required, that Chemistry majors also complete MT305 Advanced Calculus (Science Majors).

Computer Science offers both a B.A. degree and a B.S. degree. Different Mathematics co-requisite courses are required for these programs: the B.S. program generally requires stronger Calculus courses, together with additional math courses.

If you're not sure which degree program is best for you, follow the Mathematics recommendations for the B.S. program and then "drop back" to those of the B.A. program if you change your mind. If you begin working towards the B.A. program, transitioning later to the requirements of the B.S. program will be difficult.

The B.A. Program in Computer Science

Students in the B.A. program are required to complete a Mathematics co-requisite of calculus at the level of MT101 Calculus II, MT103 Calculus II (Math and Science Majors), MT105 Calculus II-AP (Math and Science Majors), or higher.

Students with no Calculus AP credit or with no Calculus background will usually take MT100 Calculus I, and follow with MT101 Calculus II, to complete this co-requisite.

Please be sure that you visit the Calculus Advisement pages on this website for more information on your Calculus options for the B.A. Program.

The B.S. Program in Computer Science

Students in the B.S. program are required to complete Mathematics co-requisites of:

  • MT103 Calculus II (for Math and Science Majors) -- MT105 Calculus II-AP (for Math and Science Majors)
  • MT202 Multivariable Calculus
  • Two Mathematics electives chosen from among MT210, MT216, or any MT course numbered 300 or higher.

Please visit the Calculus Advisement pages for Math and Physical Sciences for more information on your Calculus options for the B.S. Program.

The Department of Biology offers programs leading to a B.A.degree and a B.S. degree. Slightly different Mathematics co-requisite courses are suggested for these programs. Mathematics co-requisites for Biochemistry are the same as those for the B.S. degree in Biology.

The B.A. Program in Biology

Students who have AP credit in Calculus (a score of 4 or higher on either the AB or the BC examination) are exempted from the mathematics co-requisite for the B.A. program. Otherwise, students are required to complete one semester of Calculus, usually with one of these courses:

Note

  • If you are required to, or wish to, take a Calculus course, please visit the Calculus Advisement on this website for more information on your Calculus options.

The B.S. Program in Biology

Students in the B.S. program in Biology must complete Calculus through the level of Calculus II. This is usually done through one of the following courses:

  • MT101 Calculus II; 
  • MT103 Calculus II for Math and Science Majors
  • MT105 Calculus II - AP for Math and Science Majors
  • MT202 Multivariable Calculus.

 

  • Students in the B.S. program must complete Calculus II before they can enroll in Physics.
  • This co-reequisite can be satisfied by a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam.
  • Please visit the Calculus Advisement on this website for students taking Biology for more information on your Calculus options.

The Biochemistry Major Students in Biochemistry must complete Calculus through the level of Calculus II.

Note

  • Please check all the Notes above listed above for the B.S. in Biology.
  • For further information on the Biochemistry major, please contact either Professor Kantrowitz in Merkert 239 or Professor Annunziato in Higgins 422.

The Geology Major

Students majoring in Geology will usually complete two semesters of Calculus, either by completing the Calculus for Math and Science Major sequence MT102 - MT103, or its near equivalent sequence, MT100 - MT101. Please visit our Calculus Advisement page to learn more about the difference between these two sequences and which is more appropriate for you.

Note
  • Well-prepared and highly-motivated students are encouraged to take the Calculus for Math and Science Major sequence MT102 - MT103. For students who have successfully studied a "Calculus BC" curriculum and earned a score of 5 on the Calculus BC placement exam, please consider enrolling directly in MT202 Multivariable Calculus.
  • The MT102 - MT103 sequence is strongly suggested for any student who thinks that he or she may eventually move to a Geophysics or Geology-Geophysics program. Transitioning from the MT100 - MT101 sequence to the Math and Science major sequence becomes more difficult as you move farther into the MT100 - MT101 sequence.
  • Students having AP credit in Mathematics should consult the Geology Department for options in handling AP credit.

The Environmental Geosciences Major

You are exempted from the Mathematics Core Curriculum Requirement if you received a score of 4 or higher on either the Calculus AB or Calculus BC placement exam, and the result has been recorded on your transcript.

Otherwise, because there is no formal Mathematics requirement for students in Environmental Geosciences, you may fulfill the Core Curriculum Requirement in Mathematics by taking any core-level Mathematics courses (MT004 Finite Probability and Applications, MT005 Linear Mathematics, or MT007 Ideas in Mathematics) or any Calculus course (MT100 Calculus I or higher).

Nevertheless, Environmental Geosciences students are highly encouraged to complete a Calculus course such as MT100 Calculus I or MT101 Calculus II. Please visit our Calculus page (for non-Math, non-Physical Sciences majors) to learn more about the MT100 and MT101 courses and which is right for you.

Note
  • Students having AP credit in Calculus should consider directly entering MT101 Calculus II, since this course can substitute as an elective for the Environmental Geosciences major.
  • The MT102 - MT103 sequence is strongly suggested for any student who thinks that he or she may eventually move to a Geophysics or Geology-Geophysics program. Transitioning from the MT100 - MT101 sequence to the Math and Science major sequence becomes more difficult as you move farther into the MT100 - MT101 sequence.

For students in the Pre-medical, Pre-dental, and Pre-veterinarian programs, one year of mathematics is usually strongly recommended. Some medical schools specifically require one year of Calculus.

For the most part, we recommend any one of the following options for students in these pre-professional programs to complete both their Core Curriculum Requirement in Mathematics and follow the guidelines of these programs:

  • Take MT100 Calculus I, followed by MT101 Calculus II; or
  • Take MT101 Calculus II, followed by MT202 Multivariable Calculus; or
  • Take MT101 Calculus II, followed by BI230 BioStatistics.

Please visit our Calculus Advisement page for more information on the MT100-MT101 sequence of Calculus courses, which closely mirrors the "AB" high school Calculus curriculum.

Note

  • A majority of students in these programs (most are Biology majors) will take MT100 Calculus I in Fall semester, followed by MT101 Calculus II in Spring semester.
  • Students with strong mathematical backgrounds and AP credit should consider taking MT101 Calculus II in the Fall semester, followed by either BI230 BioStatistics or MT202 Multivariable Calculus. This allows you to get more quickly involved in intellectually-challenging, upper-level courses. However, this suggestion must be balanced against the fact that the first year of college is often a significant period of adjustment, which -- when combined with taking two science courses with laboratory -- suggests for some students the more conservative option of taking MT100 Calculus I in Fall semester, followed by MT101 Calculus II in Spring semester (even if this choice repeats material already learned in high school).
  • Please note that pre-medical/pre-dental/pre-veterinary requirements may or may not coincide with the requirements of your major. In particular, students majoring in Chemistry, Geology-Geophysics, Geophysics, Mathematics, or Physics should complete Calculus courses for Math and Science majors (MT102 and MT103, instead of MT100 and MT101), due to requirements for these majors.
  • Health professions graduate schools vary in their attitudes toward advanced placement, so students should contact individual schools if they have questions concerning how advanced placement in Mathematics is viewed. Generally, if you have received the equivalent of one year's worth of advanced placement in Mathematics, most schools will accept this and there is usually no need for you to take additional upper level math courses.
  • If you are considering taking advantage of advanced placement, check with the Premedical Office and your proposed major department. Be sure as well to visit the Health Professions Graduate Studies home page for additional program guidance.

You are exempted from the Mathematics Core Curriculum Requirement if you received a score of 4 or higher on either the Calculus AB or Calculus BC placement exam, and the result has been recorded on your transcript.

Otherwise, you must complete at least one Mathematics core-level course. We highly recommend that you complete:

  • Any Calculus course - MT100 Calculus I or higher

Note

  • All Economics majors should know how to take derivatives of simple functions and to solve maximum and minimum problems. MT100 Calculus I, and many high school calculus courses provide the basic elements of calculus needed for the Economics major. The Micro and Macro Theory courses (EC201 and EC202) and the 300-level electives will use basic elements of Calculus.
  • We recommend that any student with a serious interest in Economics reach at least the level of integral Calculus found in MT101 Calculus II.
  • Students looking for a deeper mathematical preparation -- e.g., for those thinking about graduate work in Economics or participating in the Economics Department Honors Program -- should consider instead taking MT102 Calculus I (Math and Science Majors) and MT103 Calculus II (Math and Science Majors). Completing MT202 Multivariable Calculus and possibly even a Mathematics minor would be advantageous.
  • Please visit the Calculus Advisement pages on this website for more information on Calculus course options and how AP credit might apply to selecting the right Calculus course.

Beginning with the class of 2010 (freshmen entering in September, 2006), Psychology majors have no discipline-specific mathematics corequisite requirement; but majors still must fulfill the ordinary Mathematics core curriculum requirement. Please consult our pagefor the core curriculum requirements for students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Otherwise, the Psychology major requires that students in the classes of 2009 and earlier complete two courses from the following list:

  • CS021 Computers in Management (formerly MC021)
  • MT004 Finite Probability and Applications
  • MT005 Linear Mathematics
  • MT007 Ideas in Mathematics
  • MT100 Calculus I
  • MT101 Calculus II
  • MT Courses numbered MT102 and higher, with Psychology Department permission

 

Note

 

  • If you have AP credit in math, then you are exempted from one semester of your two-semester mathematics corequisite.
  • Students with a strong mathematics background (e.g., a year of Calculus in high school) should consider taking MT101Calculus II first, and then either MT202 Multivariable Calculus or CS021 Computers in Management (depending on your interest in studying higher Mathematics).
  • Students with some Calculus in their background (or even a strong, pre-Calculus experience) should consider taking MT100Calculus I and then either MT101 Calculus II or CS021 Computers in Management.
  • Students with no Calculus in their background will usually find MT004 Finite Probability and Applications and then either MT005 Linear Mathematics or CS021 Computers in Management appropriate.
  • If you do choose to take Calculus, please visit the Calculus page on this website for more help in picking the level of Calculus that best matches your preparation, abilities, and interest in Mathematics.

You are exempted from the Mathematics Core Curriculum Requirement if you received a score of 4 or higher on either the Calculus AB or Calculus BC placement exam, and the result has been recorded on your transcript.

Otherwise, you must complete at least one Mathematics core-level course. Any course found in the following list will satisfy your Math requirement:

  • MT004 Finite Probability and Applications
  • MT005 Linear Mathematics
  • MT007 Ideas in Mathematics
  • Any Calculus course - MT100 Calculus I or higher
  • CS074 The Digital World: An Introduction to Information and Computing

For those students who are mathematically inclined and/or have a strong mathematical preparation, you are encouraged to consider fulfilling your core math requirement with a Calculus course.

Note

  • Generally, the earlier you take a Math course, the better. We suggest that you complete your Math requirement no later than sophomore year, unless there's reason to do otherwise.
  • Given current enrollment trends, students in the humanities and certain social sciences may not have a realistic registration opportunity to take a Math course until sophomore year.
  • If you choose to take a Calculus course, it is recommended that you complete it in freshman year.
  • Be sure to visit the Calculus area of our website to see if there are Calculus options you'd prefer to taking a core-level Mathematics course.
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