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University of Montana Catalog 2024-2025

Mathematics B.A.

This degree is the BA in Mathematics without a concentration. Students can add one or more of the concentrations in Applied Mathematics, Combinatorics & Optimization, Pure Mathematics, or Statistics and Data Science to this degree by fulfilling the respective Concentration Requirements (achieved by taking specific Upper-Division Elective Courses). Typically, students declare one of these four concentrations during their sophomore or junior year. Note that the requirements for the Mathematics Education concentration are extensive and differ substantially from the requirements for the other concentrations. Students interested in Mathematics Education are encouraged to declare this concentration as early as possible, preferably during their first year at UM.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must complete successfully, in addition to any other requirements, the University of Montana General Education Requirements. Please refer to the General Education Requirements page for more information. 

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

BACHELOR OF ARTS - MATHEMATICS

Credit Requirements

The major specific credits are much lower for double-majors and for students completing a minor in another subject:

  • 41 credits for students completing a second major, and
  • 46 credits for students completing a minor.

GPA requirement

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for all courses used to fulfill major requirements.
  • In addition, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for all mathematical sciences courses used to fulfill major requirements. (Mathematical sciences courses are those with a prefix of M or STAT.)

Course Requirements

Core Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
M 171Calculus I4
or M 181 Honors Calculus I
M 172Calculus II4
or M 182 Honors Calculus II
M 210Introduction to Mathematical Software3
M 221Introduction to Linear Algebra4
M 273Multivariable Calculus4
M 300Undergraduate Mathematics Seminar1
M 307Introduction to Abstract Mathematics3
Electives 1
Complete 18-23 credits (6-7 courses) of the following courses. At least three courses must be at the 400 level. See note below about the elective credit requirement.18-23
Introduction to Differential Equations
Teaching Mathematics with Technology
Discrete Mathematics
Number Theory
Discrete Optimization
Linear Optimization
Advanced Calculus I
Partial Differential Equations
Deterministic Models
History of Mathematics 2
Abstract Algebra I
Abstract Algebra II
Euclidean and NonEuclidean Geometry
Numerical Analysis
Statistical, Dynamical, and Computational Modeling
Data Science Analytics
Theoretical Basics of Big Data Analytics and Real Time Computation Algorithms
Introduction to Complex Analysis
Introduction to Real Analysis
Graph Theory
Probability and Simulation
Probability Theory
Mathematical Statistics
Statistical Methods II
Science Requirement 3
Complete 18 credits in at most 3 areas selected from astronomy (ASTR), biology (BIO*), chemistry (CHMY), computer science (CSCI, except CSCI TR*), economics (ECNS), forestry (FORS, WILD), geosciences (GEO), management information systems (BMIS), and physics (PHSX).18
Language/Computer Science Requirement 4
Complete either the General Education Language Requirement or complete one of the following courses:3
Computation in the Sciences with Calculus
Introduction to Computer Science
Interdisciplinary Computer Science I
Interdisciplinary Computer Science II
Total Hours62-67
1

Students completing a second major need take only 18 credits. Students completing a minor in another subject need take only 20 credits. All other students must complete 23 credits and 7 courses. At least 4 of the courses in this category must be taken at UM-Missoula (only 3 if M 307 is taken at UM-Missoula).

2

M 429 is also an advanced college writing course. Most Mathematics majors use M 429 to meet the advanced college writing general education requirement.

3

Students completing a minor in another subject or a second major are exempt from this requirement. Transfer courses listed on the transcript as CSCI TR* may include course work in other areas such as Computer Applications (CAPP) and therefore do not count towards this requirement unless a student successfully petitions the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

4

Students completing a second major are exempt from this requirement.

 
Elective Computer Labs and Independent Study Courses
Computer labs and independent study courses from the following list are optional; if taken (0-2 credits), they count toward the total number of credits required for the Mathematics Elective requirement.
Linear Optimization Laboratory
Independent Study
Independent Study
Computer Data Analysis I
Computer Data Analysis II

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