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University of Montana Catalog 2025-2026

Mathematics B.A. - Pure Mathematics

This degree concentration differs from the BA in Mathematics without a concentration only in the Concentration Requirements.

General Graduate Program Requirements

Graduate School policies and standards can be found on the Graduate School Policies page

The minimum GPA for any graduate program is 3.0. Individual programs may require more than a 3.0 to remain in good standing. 

The minimum grade for a course to be accepted toward any master’s or doctoral requirement is C. The minimum grade for a course to be accepted toward a certificate program is B-. Individual programs may require higher grades for specific courses.

Bachelor of Arts - Mathematics; Pure Mathematics Concentration

Credit Requirements

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

  • 44 credits for students completing a second major, and
  • 47 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
M 172Calculus II4
or M 182
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
M 325
Number Theory
Discrete Optimization
Linear Optimization
Advanced Calculus
Partial Differential Equations
Deterministic Models
History of Mathematics 2
Abstract Algebra I
Abstract Algebra II
Euclidean and NonEuclidean Geometry
Numerical Analysis
M 445
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
Introduction to Computer Science
Interdisciplinary Computer Science I
Interdisciplinary Computer Science II
Pure Mathematics Concentration
These courses count toward the mathematics electives requirement
Complete four of the following courses:
Advanced Calculus
Abstract Algebra I
Abstract Algebra II
Introduction to Complex Analysis
Introduction to Real Analysis
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