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 in mathematics typically begins in the Directed Reading Program.  An active Math Club further supplements student learning and opportunities.

There are five different pathways through the math major: a mathematics student can complete the General Mathematics program or one of four Areas of Emphasis, in Mathematics and Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, or  Theoretical Mathematics. 

General Mathematics is intended primarily for double majors, while Mathematics and Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, and Theoretical Mathematics are best for students completing Mathematics as their sole major. Students planning to attend graduate school in mathematics or a related field should strongly consider completing the Area of Emphasis in Theoretical Mathematics. 

All five pathways share the same Area VI requirements (see below) which include Calculus II and III and Differential Equations, as well as the following core 3000-level classes:

Core Mathematics Major Courses (9 hours):

• Introduction to Higher Mathematics (MATH 3200)
• Linear Algebra (MATH 3000 or MATH 3300 or MATH 3510)
• Introduction to Analysis (MATH 3100)

Students who complete the two-semester Multivariable Mathematics sequence (MATH 3500(H)/3510(H)) can have their linear algebra and MATH 3200 requirements waived.  Students considering taking MATH 3500 and MATH 3510 should first discuss with their advisor and the course instructor to determine whether these very challenging courses are right for them.

The additional upper level courses required in the five versions of the major are as follows:

General Mathematics (15 hours)

• MATH 4000 (Modern Algebra I)
• Choose one of 
  
  • MATH 4100 (Real Analysis)
  • MATH 4150 (Complex Variables)
• Choose one of 
  
  • MATH 4500 (Numerical Analysis I)
  • MATH 4600 (Probability) or STAT 4510 (Mathematical Statistics I) (not both)
  • MATH 4700 (Qualitative Ordinary Differential Equations)
  • MATH 4720 (Introduction to Partial Differential Equations)
• Two additional math electives numbered 3510 or above 
  • This requirement is not satisfied by any of MATH 3220, MATH 4801, MATH 4950, MATH 4960R, MATH 4970R, MATH 4980R, or MATH 4990R.  The only 5000-level courses that satisfy the requirement are MATH 5200 and MATH 5210.

Mathematics and Data Science (22 hours)

• MATH 4500/6500 (Numerical Analysis I)
• MATH 4600/6600 (Probability) or STAT 4510/6510 (Mathematical Statistics I) (not both)STAT 2360 (Programming and Data Literacy Using R, counts for Area VI)
• Choose two of the following: 
  
  • MATH 4510/6510 (Numerical Analysis II)
  • MATH 4740/6740 (Optimization and Data Analysis) 
  • MATH 4750/6750 (Matrix and Integral Transforms with Applications) 
  • MATH 4780/6780 (Mathematical Biology)
  • MATH 4790/6790 (Mathematics of Option Pricing)
  • MATH4802/6802 (Industrial Mathematics)
• STAT 4210 (Statistical Methods) or STAT 4110H (Honors Applied Statistics)
• CSCI 3360 (Data Science I)
• STAT 4230/6230 (Applied Regression Analysis)
• STAT 4365/6365 (Modern Statistical Programming)CSCI 1301 or 1360 is also needed due to prerequisite for CSCI 3360
• STAT 2000 is also needed due to prerequisite for STAT 2360

Applied Mathematics (15 hours):

• MATH 4500 (Numerical Analysis I)
• Choose two from: 
  
  • MATH 4600 (Probability) or STAT 4510 (Mathematical Statistics I) (not both) 
  • MATH 4700 (Qualitative Ordinary Differential Equations) 
  • MATH 4720 (Partial Differential Equations)
• recommended: MATH 4500 and MATH 4600, either 4700 or 4720
• two additional math courses at the 3000-level or above
  
  • MATH 3220, MATH 4801, MATH 4950, MATH 4960R, MATH 4970R, MATH 4980R, and MATH 4990R do not satisfy this requirement. No 5000-level MATH courses, except MATH 5200/7200 and MATH 5210/7210, satisfy this requirement.

Financial Mathematics (18 hours): 

• FINA 3001 (Financial Management) 
• FINA 4310 (Survey of Investments)
• MATH 4500 (Numerical Analysis I)
• MATH 4600 (Probability) or STAT 4510 (Mathematical Statistics I) (not both) 
• MATH 4790 (Mathematics of Option Pricing)
• one additional three- or four-credit hour mathematics course numbered 3000 or above 
  
  • MATH 3220, MATH 4801, MATH 4950, MATH 4960R, MATH 4970R, MATH 4980R, and MATH 4990R do not satisfy this requirement. No 5000-level MATH courses, except MATH 5200/7200 and MATH 5210/7210, satisfy this requirement.
• ACCT 1160 or ACCT 2101 also needed due to prerequisites for FINA 3001
• recommend taking a coding course for Area VI since MATH 4500 requires STAT 2360 or CSCI 1301 or CSCI 1360

Additional Coursework Recommendations

It is strongly recommended that all mathematics majors complete 6 hours of coursework in a related field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Physics, Statistics, Risk Management, or Management Sciences and Information Technology. 

You will need to take additional courses beyond the minimum major requirements at the 3000- and 4000-level to earn 39 upper-level credits to satisfy degree requirements. 

If you are 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 advisor 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)
• Calculus III (MATH 2270, MATH 2500, or MATH 3500 and 3510)
• Differential Equations (MATH 2700)
• Choose 2 from: 
  • CSCI 1301 
  • CSCI 1302 
  • CSCI 1360
  • CSCI 2670 
  • CSCI 2720 
  • PHYS 1211 
  • PHYS 1212
  • PHYS 1251
  • PHYS 1311 
  • PHYS 1312
  • STAT 2360
  • STAT 4210

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 between 24 and 27 credit hours of MATH courses, this means that you will need to find 8 to 15 additional hours of upper division classes. We encourage you to take mathematics courses beyond the required hours. Another way to fulfill this requirement is to complete coursework in another discipline via a minor or a certificate program.

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 have blanket approvals and some of which will need to be approved on a case-by-case basis.  See also https://el.uga.edu/ for more information about experiential learning at UGA and other ways of satisfying the requirement.

1. Mathcounts (approval needed)
2. Serve as a DAE Peer Tutor for the tutoring Center in Milledge Hall (approved, search "DAE Peer Tutor" on Engage).
3. Serve as a Peer Learning Assistant through DAE.
4. CURO Undegraduate Research Courses and Research assistantships.
5. REUs and other research programs (approval needed).
6. Internships, can enroll in MATH 4801 to obtain course credit and automatically obtain EL requirement
7. Certain mathematics courses are approved as EL courses:
   1. MATH 4802 Industrial Mathematics
   2. MATH 4950 Research in Mathematics
   3. MATH 4960R Faculty-Mentored Undergraduate Research
8. UGA-approved study abroad programs.