Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

  • PSYCH 100 (SB) – for those who may be interested in teaching
  • ECON 103-104 (SB) – for those interested in Actuarial Science
  • PHIL 163 (AT) - class on ethics in the context of Big Data

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Required prerequisites, including recommended sequence:
Calculus: MATH 131-132 (A grade of 'C' or better in Math 132 is needed for enrolling in certain upper-level classes)-233; Linear Algebra: MATH 235; CMPSCI 121

Advanced Placement:
Advanced placement is possible by achieving a score of “4” or “5” on the AP Calculus Exam. (see www.math.umass.edu/Undergrad/Program/credit.html)

How to Declare the Major

Students can drop by LGRT 1521E anytime to meet with an advisor to join the major.  Please visit www.math.umass.edu/~advise/ for the necessary information.  Majors must choose a concentration (sub-plan) by the end of their first year.  Concentrations and their requirements are listed here:  www.math.umass.edu/undergraduate/departmental-graduation-requirements.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

  • Lower Division: MATH 131, 132, 233, 235 and 300;
  • Junior Year Writing: MATH 370;
  • Computer Proficiency: CMP SCI 121;
  • Upper Division: Eight upper division Math courses, concentrated in one of the following tracks: Pure Math, Applied Math, Statistics, Teaching, Computing, Actuarial, or an individually-designed track

NOTE: a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in all major courses.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Yes. The same calculus/linear algebra sequence required for the major is required for the minor. Proficiency in a computer programming language and four upper-division courses are also required. For further details, see the Mathematics advisor or web page: www.math.umass.edu/Undergrad/Program/minor.html.

For further information, contact:
Undergraduate Advising Office
1521E LGRT; 545-2282
www.math.umass.edu/~advise/