Mathematics (BS)
The bachelor of science in mathematics is our most flexible curriculum. The mathematics and science requirements in the program along with the General Education Program in the humanities and social sciences ensure that graduates receive a broad education with a technical slant. At the same time, the large number of elective choices within the program makes it an appropriate curriculum for students with a variety of interests and career goals.
Undergraduate research opportunities include:
- Budapest Semester in Mathematics
- Society for Undergraduate Mathematics
- NC State Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Mathematics
- The Mathematical Biology Research Training Group
- SUM Club
For more information about this program visit our website.
Contact
Department of Mathematics
North Carolina State University
Campus Box 8205
Raleigh, NC 27695
Dr. Alina Duca
Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs in Mathematics
SAS Hall 2108B
919.515.1875
anduca@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation (Verify Requirement) * | |||
| COS 100 | Science of Change | 0 | |
| or E 115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | ||
| Communications and Advanced Writing | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 | |
| Select one of the following Communications courses (Verify Requirement): * | 0 | ||
| Public Speaking | |||
| Interpersonal Communication | |||
| Argumentation and Advocacy | |||
| Science Communication and Public Engagement | |||
| Select one of the following Advanced Writing courses: | 3 | ||
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | |||
| Communication for Business and Management | |||
| Communication for Science and Research | |||
| Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing | |||
| Basic Mathematics | |||
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 | |
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 | |
| MA 242 | Calculus III 1 | 4 | |
| MA 225 | Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 1 | 3 | |
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| Basic Sciences 2 | |||
| Select one of the following two options for the Chemistry requirement: | 4 | ||
| Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | |||
| General Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences and General Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences | |||
| Select one of the following two options for the Physics requirement: | 4 | ||
| University Physics I | |||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | |||
| Select one of the following four options for the Additional Basic Science requirement: | 4 | ||
| Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | |||
| Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | |||
| Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | |||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | |||
| Select one of the following Statistics courses: 3 | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | |||
| Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression | |||
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I | |||
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II | |||
| Select one of the following introductory Programming courses: | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Computing: Python | |||
| Introduction to Computing-FORTRAN | |||
| Introduction to Computing - MATLAB | |||
| Statistical Programming | |||
| Introduction to Scientific Programming (Math) | |||
| Introduction to Computing - Java | |||
| Introduction to Scientific Computing | |||
| Advanced Mathematics | |||
| MA 405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| MA 407 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors | 3 | |
| MA 425 | Mathematical Analysis I | 3 | |
| Math Electives 2 | 18 | ||
| Select one of the following three options for the Major Paper Requirement | 1 | ||
| Major Paper in Mathematics | |||
| Reading in Honors Mathematics | |||
| Independent Research in Mathematics | |||
| Major Electives | |||
| Science/Engineering/Business/Statistics Electives | 15 | ||
Students are advised to utilize their Major and Free Electives credits to explore a minor or a second major. Please be aware that several courses listed as Major Electives may have prerequisites or specific restrictions. | |||
Science/Engineering/Business/Statistics courses must be selected from the following: BIO/ZO 160, BIO 18*, BIO 200>, CE ***, CH ***, DSC ***, ECE ***, ECI 305, ECI 416, EMS 470, EMS 480, GN ***, ISE ***, MAE ***, MB ***, MEA ***, NE ***, NTR ***, OR ***, PY 200>, PB ***, ZO ***, ACC ***, BUS ***, EC ***, CSC ***, ST 300> (except CH 100, CH 111, CSC 100, CSC 200, CSC 226) | |||
| GEP Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Free Electives (Max 12 Hr S/U) | 12 | ||
Students are encouraged to use Free Electives credits to pursue a minor or second major. | |||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 1
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 2
At most one passing letter grade below C- is allowed.
- 3
Students are strongly encouraged to complete a two-course sequence in Statistics. The preferred statistics sequence is ST 371 followed by ST 372, in which case ST 372 can be used as a Science/Engineering/Bus/Stat elective. Alternatives include: (MA 421 and ST 422) or (ST 421 and ST 422). If MA 421 is taken as an advanced math elective then ST 422 will satisfy the ST requirement. If ST421 is taken as ST elective then ST 422 can be used as a Science/Engineering/Bus/Stat elective. ST 370 will be accepted only for students transferring into the Mathematics major having already taken ST 370.
- *
The Orientation and Communication verify requirements are satisfied by some General Education Program courses which could potentially double count.
- **
-
No more than 6 total credits from undergraduate research (MA 491), independent study (MA 499), or credit by examination may be used to meet program requirements (credit from AP exams or transfer credits is not included under this restriction).
Math Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA 325 | Introduction to Applied Mathematics | 3 | |
| MA 326 | Mathematical Foundations of Data Science | 3 | |
| MA 335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 | |
| LOG 335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 | |
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| MA 351 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models | 3 | |
| MA 401 | Applied Differential Equations II | 3 | |
| MA 402 | Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 3 | |
| MA 408 | Foundations of Euclidean Geometry | 3 | |
| MA 410 | Theory of Numbers | 3 | |
| MA 412 | Long-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| ST 412 | Long-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| MA 413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| ST 413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| MA 414 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| CSC 414 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| MA 416 | Introduction to Combinatorics | 3 | |
| CSC 416 | Introduction to Combinatorics | 3 | |
| MA 421 | Introduction to Probability | 3 | |
| MA 426 | Mathematical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA 427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| CSC 427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| CSC 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA 432 | Mathematical Models in Life Sciences | 3 | |
| MA 437 | Applications of Algebra | 3 | |
| MA 450 | Methods of Applied Mathematics I | 3 | |
| MA 451 | Methods of Applied Mathematics II | 3 | |
| MA 491 | Reading in Honors Mathematics | 1-3 | |
| MA 501 | Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I | 3 | |
| MA 504 | Introduction to Mathematical Programming | 3 | |
| OR 504 | Introduction to Mathematical Programming | 3 | |
| MA 505 | Linear Programming | 3 | |
| ISE 505 | Linear Programming | 3 | |
| OR 505 | Linear Programming | 3 | |
| MA 513 | Introduction To Complex Variables | 3 | |
| MA 514 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| CSC 514 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| MA 515 | Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA 518 | Geometry of Curves and Surfaces | 3 | |
| MA 520 | Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| MA 521 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 | |
| MA 522 | Computer Algebra | 3 | |
| MA 523 | Linear Transformations and Matrix Theory | 3 | |
| MA 524 | Combinatorics I | 3 | |
| MA 526 | Mathematical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA 528 | Options and Derivatives Pricing | 3 | |
| FIM 528 | Options and Derivatives Pricing | 3 | |
| ECG 528 | Options and Derivatives Pricing | 3 | |
| MBA 528 | Options and Derivatives Pricing | 3 | |
| MA 531 | Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control I | 3 | |
| E 531 | Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control I | 3 | |
| OR 531 | Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control I | 3 | |
| MA 532 | Ordinary Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| MA 534 | Introduction To Partial Differential Equations | 3 | |
| MA 537 | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | 3 | |
| MA 540 | Uncertainty Quantification for Physical and Biological Models | 3 | |
| MA 544 | Computer Experiments In Mathematical Probability | 3 | |
| MA 546 | Probability and Stochastic Processes I | 3 | |
| ST 546 | Probability and Stochastic Processes I | 3 | |
| MA 547 | Stochastic Calculus for Finance | 3 | |
| MA 548 | Monte Carlo Methods for Financial Math | 3 | |
| FIM 548 | Monte Carlo Methods for Financial Math | 3 | |
| MA 549 | Financial Risk Analysis | 3 | |
| FIM 549 | Financial Risk Analysis | 3 | |
| MA 551 | Introduction to Topology | 3 | |
| MA 555 | Introduction to Manifold Theory | 3 | |
| MA 561 | Set Theory and Foundations Of Mathematics | 3 | |
| MA 565 | Graph Theory | 3 | |
| CSC 565 | Graph Theory | 3 | |
| OR 565 | Graph Theory | 3 | |
| MA 573 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I | 3 | |
| BMA 573 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I | 3 | |
| MA 574 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II | 3 | |
| BMA 574 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II | 3 | |
| MA 580 | Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| CSC 580 | Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA 583 | Introduction to Parallel Computing | 3 | |
| CSC 583 | Introduction to Parallel Computing | 3 | |
| MA 584 | Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations--Finite Difference Methods | 3 | |
| MA 587 | Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations--Finite Element Method | 3 | |
| MA 591 | Special Topics | 1-6 |
Major Paper Co-Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA 402 | Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 3 | |
| MA 427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| CSC 427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| CSC 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA 432 | Mathematical Models in Life Sciences | 3 | |
| MA 437 | Applications of Algebra | 3 | |
| MA 491 | Reading in Honors Mathematics | 1-6 | |
| MA 494 | Major Paper in Mathematics | 1 | |
| MA 573 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I | 3 | |
| MA 574 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II | 3 | |
| BMA 573 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I | 3 | |
| BMA 574 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II | 3 |
In-Depth Co-Req (Verify Requirement)
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA 325 & MA 341 | Introduction to Applied Mathematics and Applied Differential Equations I | 0 | |
| MA 326 & MA 402 | Mathematical Foundations of Data Science and Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 0 | |
| MA 341 & MA 401 | Applied Differential Equations I and Applied Differential Equations II | 0 | |
| or MA 501 | Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I | ||
| MA 341 & MA 432 | Applied Differential Equations I and Mathematical Models in Life Sciences | 0 | |
| MA 401 & MA 450 | Applied Differential Equations II and Methods of Applied Mathematics I | 0 | |
| or MA 451 | Methods of Applied Mathematics II | ||
| MA 407 & MA 437 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors and Applications of Algebra | 0 | |
| or MA 521 | Abstract Algebra I | ||
| MA 405 & MA 520 | Introduction to Linear Algebra and Linear Algebra | 0 | |
| or MA 523 | Linear Transformations and Matrix Theory | ||
| MA 407 & MA 414 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors and Foundations of Cryptography | 0 | |
| or CSC 414 | Foundations of Cryptography | ||
| MA 407 & MA 521 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors and Abstract Algebra I | 0 | |
| MA 407 & MA 514 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors and Foundations of Cryptography | 0 | |
| or CSC 514 | Foundations of Cryptography | ||
| MA 408 & MA 518 | Foundations of Euclidean Geometry and Geometry of Curves and Surfaces | 0 | |
| MA 410 & MA 416 | Theory of Numbers and Introduction to Combinatorics | 0 | |
| MA 412 & MA 413 | Long-Term Actuarial Models and Short-Term Actuarial Models | 0 | |
| MA 416 & MA 524 | Introduction to Combinatorics and Combinatorics I | 0 | |
| MA 421 & MA 412 | Introduction to Probability and Long-Term Actuarial Models | 0 | |
| or MA 413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | ||
| MA 425 & MA 426 | Mathematical Analysis I and Mathematical Analysis II | 0 | |
| or MA 526 | Mathematical Analysis II | ||
| MA 425 & MA 513 | Mathematical Analysis I and Introduction To Complex Variables | 0 | |
| or MA 515 | Analysis I | ||
| MA 427 & MA 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I and Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 0 | |
| MA 450 & MA 451 | Methods of Applied Mathematics I and Methods of Applied Mathematics II | 0 | |
| MA 515 & MA 551 | Analysis I and Introduction to Topology | 0 | |
| MA 532 & MA 534 | Ordinary Differential Equations I and Introduction To Partial Differential Equations | 0 | |
| MA 546 & MA 547 | Probability and Stochastic Processes I and Stochastic Calculus for Finance | 0 | |
| MA 548 & MA 549 | Monte Carlo Methods for Financial Math and Financial Risk Analysis | 0 | |
| MA 573 & MA 574 | Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I and Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II | 0 | |
| MA 580 & MA 583 | Numerical Analysis I and Introduction to Parallel Computing | 0 | |
| MA 584 & MA 587 | Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations--Finite Difference Methods and Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations--Finite Element Method | 0 | |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1,2 | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| COS 100 | Science of Change | 2 |
| GEP requirement | 3 | |
| Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1,2 | 4 |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Introduction to Programming Elective 3 | 3 | |
| COM 289 | Science Communication and Public Engagement | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MA 242 | Calculus III 1,2 | 4 |
| MA 225 | Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 1,2 | 3 |
| PY 205 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I | 3 |
| PY 206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | 1 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I 1,2 | 3 |
| MA 405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra 2 | 3 |
| ST 371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | 3 |
| Science/Engineering/ Business/Statistics Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MA 407 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors 2 | 3 |
| Advanced Mathematics Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Advanced Writing Elective | 3 | |
| PY 208 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | 3 |
| PY 209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 1 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MA 425 | Mathematical Analysis I 2 | 3 |
| Science/Engineering/ Business/Statistics Elective | 3 | |
| Advanced Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Mathematical Analysis II | ||
| Advanced Mathematics Elective 2 | 3 | |
| MA 494 | Major Paper in Mathematics | 1 |
| Science/Engineering/ Business/Statistics Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Advanced Mathematics Elective1 2 | 6 | |
| Science/Engineering/ Business/Statistics Elective | 3 | |
| 3 | ||
| Free Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
At most one grade below a C- is permitted in Advanced Mathematics Electives. No grades below a C are permitted in MA 141, MA 241, MA 242, and MA 225.
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