Departments & Programs
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The department offers the Indiana University Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with options in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, actuarial science (in person or online option), applied statistics (in person or online option) and secondary school teaching.
Graduate degrees offered include the Indiana University Master of Science, with concentrations in Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Applied Statistics, and the Indiana University Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics with all requirements completed on the IU Indianapolis campus. In addition, together with the Division of Biostatistics in the Indiana University School of Medicine, the department administers and offers an Indiana University Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics, with all requirements completed on the IU Indianapolis campus.
Bachelor of Science
Students are encouraged to declare a mathematics major in their freshman year, so they can receive proper academic advising. A grade point average of 2.50 with no grades below C in mathematics courses through MATH 35100 is a minimum indication of success in this major.
Degree Requirements
The baccalaureate degree general requirements, the area requirements are listed earlier in this bulletin (see the School of Science requirements under “Undergraduate Programs”). For a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, the following additional requirements and restrictions apply:
First-Year Experience Course
Beginning freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 19 credit hours are required to take SCI-I120 Windows on Science (1 cr.) or an equivalent first-year experience course.
Area I English Composition and Communication Competency
No additional requirements beyond School-level requirements, located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin. The second semester of English composition may be satisfied by ENG-W270, ENG-W231, ENG-W230, or ENG-W350.
Area II World Language Competency
All degree options require first year proficency (8 credit hours) in a modern world language. American sign language is acceptable.
Area IIIA Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Cultural Understanding Competencies (12 cr.)
List H course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
List S course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
One additional course from either List H or List S.
List C course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
For the most current list of courses in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Understanding, please refer to the IU Indianapolis General Education Curriculum.
Area IIIC Life and Physical Sciences Competency
Refer to specific mathematics option major requirements for any additional Area IIIC course requirement.
Note: Certain courses, such as CHEM-C101, CHEM-C102, CHEM-C110; PHYS-I100, PHYS-I200, PHYS-I218, and PHYS-I219, may not be used to fulfill the science requirement, Area IIIC, of the School of Science.
If in doubt about a particular course, the student should consult a mathematics department advisor.
Area IIID Analytical Reasoning Competency
See Area IV Major Requirements for required mathematics courses. Mathematics courses below MATH-I165 and those mathematics courses in which the student has received grades below C- do not count toward the degree. MATH-M118 will count as general elective.
The Area IIID computer programming requirement must be in a higher-level programming course (not BASIC). A grade of C (2.00) or better is required.
Note: Computer Science CSCI-N241 and CSCI-N299 do not count in Area IIID, but may count as a general elective.
Area IV Mathematical Sciences Major Requirements
Mathematics courses in which a student has received grades below C (2.00) do not count in Area IV. The Area IV requirements for the secondary area of concentration and the major for the four degree options—pure mathematics, applied mathematics, applied statistics, actuarial science, and secondary teaching—are described in the following sections. There is no single semester-by-semester plan of study for any of the options because flexibility is encouraged within the various programs. However, a sample program that shows one possible sequence of courses is given for each option. Variations from the sample program should be made in consultation with the student’s advisor. Because of the complexity of the requirements and because certain courses are not offered every semester, it is important that each student consult his or her assigned advisor as soon as possible in order to proceed through a proper plan of study for the chosen degree program. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 is required in all mathematics courses that count toward the major.
Area IV Secondary Area of Concentration Requirements
For each student to acquire some depth of study in a subject outside of the major area, the Department of Mathematical Sciences requires students to have a secondary area of concentration or minor outside of the department. The secondary area of concentration consists of at least 18 credit hours and includes at least three courses beyond the introductory level or a recognized minor from another department. It is subject to the approval of the student’s advisor. Although a second area of concentration is usually in one department, it may be from two or more if the advisor approves.
Courses may be used for the double purpose of fulfilling the general requirements and for fulfilling the secondary area of concentration requirements of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. For students in the Pure Mathematics Option, the Applied Mathematics Option, or the Applied Statistics Option, a secondary area in one of the physical sciences or in a subject that makes substantial use of mathematics, such as computer science, engineering, or economics, is desirable. Students in the Secondary School Teaching Option satisfy the requirements for a secondary area by the courses they take to meet the professional education requirement. Students in the Actuarial Science Option satisfy the requirements for a secondary area by the required economics and business courses they take.
The requirement of 18 credit hours in a secondary area of concentration does not, by itself, constitute an official minor that would be acknowledged on the student’s transcript. A minor must be offered through the department or school in which the minor is taken. Students in the Actuarial Science Option satisfy the requirements for a minor in economics by the economics courses they are required to take (Students must apply to the Economics Department to be awarded an official minor.).
In addition to the in-person degrees offered, two online Indiana University degrees can also be completed through the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
1. The IU Online BS in Actuarial Science is an Indiana University degree that offers instruction in mathematics, actuarial mathematics, probability and statistics, finance, statistical modeling, data analysis, and software application. More information can be found here.
2. The IU Online BS in Applied Statistics is an Indiana University degree that offers instructions in solving problems in calculus, linear algebra, and calculus-based probability using statistical methods and modeling. More information can be found here.
