Major Programs

We are pleased to hear of your interest in the Mathematics Department at The University of Georgia. We are proud of the work we've done to enhance the mathematics offerings for excellent mathematics students at The University of Georgia, and the major is a demanding and versatile one. 

Majoring in Mathematics

The major in Mathematics at the University of Georgia is demanding yet versatile.  Students benefit from the individual attention afforded by typically small class sizes, taking courses in linear algebra, geometry, sequences, differential equations, multivariable calculus, topology, number theory, probability, and others.  Undergraduate research is encouraged and available through the Vertical Integration of Research and Education (VIGRE) and the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO).  An active Math Club further supplements student learning and opportunity. 

There are three pathways to the math major:

General Mathematics:

To earn a mathematics major, you must complete (with a grade of C or better) eight 3- or 4-hour MATH courses at the 3000 level or above. (This includes 8000-level courses for the particularly well-prepared student, but includes only MATH 5200 and MATH 5210 at the 5000/7000-level.)  The standard mathematics major program may include no more than 6 credit hours among MATH 4760, 4780, 4790, 4850, 4900, and 4950, and must include:

• MATH 4000 (Modern Algebra and Geometry I), and
• at least one of MATH 4100 (Real Analysis), MATH 4150 (Complex Variables), or MATH 4250 (Differential Geometry).

Mathematics Major with Area of Emphasis in Applied Mathematics:

A major with the applied mathematics area of emphasis may include no more than 6 credit hours among MATH 4760, 4850, 4900, and 4950, and must include:

• MATH 3100 and MATH 4500
• at least two of MATH 4600, MATH 4700, and MATH 4720.

STAT 4510 may be substituted for MATH 4600.

Mathematics Major with Area of Emphasis in Financial Mathematics (effective August 1, 2022)

The requirements of the major with the financial mathematics area of emphasis (available beginning August 2022) will be:

• MATH 3000 or MATH 3300
• MATH 3100 and MATH 3200
• FINA 3001 and FINA 4310
• MATH 4500, MATH 4600, and MATH 4790
• one additional three- or four-credit hour mathematics course numbered 3000 or above, not including any 5000-level courses other than MATH 5200 or MATH 5210. 

It is strongly recommended that all mathematics majors complete 6 hours of coursework in a related field such as Computer Science, Physics, Statistics, Risk Management, or Management Sciences and Information Technology. You should also be aware that the university will require 15 hours further of 3000- and 4000-level elective courses. If you're not planning to take electives in mathematics or related subjects, you should plan ahead and have some ideas of how you will fulfill this requirement. Your advisors can help you choose the remaining courses to fit your interests and your career goals. 

University Requirements

Core requirements account for 60 of the 120 credit hours needed for graduation. There are three sources of these requirements, with significant overlap between the three sources:

System wide (see the Undergraduate Bulletin).

• Area I     (FOUNDATION COURSES: 9 hours)
• Area II    (SCIENCES: 7-8 hours)
• Area III   (QUANTITIVE REASONING:  3-4 hours)
• Area IV   (WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURES, HUMANITIES & THE ARTS: 12 hours)
• Area V    (SOCIAL SCIENCES: 9 hours)
• Area VI   (COURSES RELATED TO THE PROGRAM OF STUDY: 18 hours)

Franklin College Requirements :

• Foreign Language- proficiency through the third semester of study- overlap with Area IV
• Literature –overlap with Area IV
• Fine Arts/Philosophy/Religion (two courses)- overlap with Area IV
• Biological Science –overlap with Area II
• Physical Science- overlap with Area II
• History- overlap with Area V
• Social Sciences (two courses)- overlap with Area V
• Multicultural 

Departmental (as in the Bulletin):

• preferred courses for Core Areas II and III and constraints on Area VI choices.

Math majors will automatically fulfill the "basic math skills" requirement of Area I.  Three free elective hours will result if this is met by advanced placement or a course used in another core area.

Students should meet with their advisor to plan their coursework for fulfilling core and Franklin College requirements.

Core Area VI includes math and math-related courses that will prepare you for major-level classes. It comprises five courses which will typically break down as follows:

• Calculus II (MATH 2260 or MATH 2310H)
• Multivariable Calculus or Calculus III (MATH 2270, MATH 2500, or MATH 3500 and 3510)
• Differential Equations (MATH 2700)
• 2 additional courses chosen from the set {PHYS 1211, PHYS 1212, PHYS 1311, PHYS 1312, CSCI 1301, CSCI 1302, CSCI 2670, CSCI 2720, or STAT 4210}.

We recommend that you do more than the minimum in the last category. There are several reasons for this:

1. These courses provide opportunities to broaden and apply your mathematics experience.
2. They prepare you for upper division courses to be used in satisfying the 39 hour rule.
3. They add an extra dimension to your employability after graduation.

In particular, we recommend that most math majors desiring a "real world" job acquire experience with computer programming. The new physics sequence PHYS 1311(L)-1312(L) is particularly designed for students with a good mathematics background who want a more substantial, truly calculus-based experience with physics. As of now, the two-semester sequence starts in the spring semester.

The 39 hour rule states that you must take at least 39 semester hours of upper division courses to graduate. Since the Mathematics Major requires only 24 semester hours of MATH courses, this means that you will need to find 15 additional hours of upper division classes.

The easiest way to fulfill this requirement is to earn a minor in some other discipline. Of course, we encourage you to take mathematics courses beyond the required 24 hours and some students do. However, if you cannot handle that much math or are interested in a broader experience, you should explore other options.

Experiential Learning Requirement

Mathematics majors have a number of ways to satisfy the experiential learning requirement. Creative proposals from students are welcome: here are a few pathways, some of which are already approved and some of which are still making their way through the university process.

1. Mathcounts (not approved yet).
2. Work at a Peer Learning Assistant in the MATH 2250/PLA sections or the MATH 1113/Intensive sections (not approved yet).
3. Serve as a DAE Peer Tutor for the tutoring Center in Milledge Hall. (approved, search "DAE Peer Tutor" on Engage).
4. CURO Undegraduate Research Courses and Research assistantships. (approved, see Franklin College blanket approvals).
5. REUs and other research programs (not approved yet).
6. Internships (not approved yet).
7. Certain mathematics courses are approved as EL courses: 
   1. MATH 4950 Research in Mathematics
   2. MATH 4960H Directed Readings and/or Undergraduate Research (Honors)
   3. MATH 4970H Directed Readings and/or Undergraduate Research (Honors)
   4. MATH 4990H Honors Thesis 
8. UGA-approved study abroad programs (approved, see Franklin College blanket approvals).