Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a Major in Mathematics

Program Learning Outcomes for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics

Upon completing the BS degree with a major in Mathematics, students will be able to:

  1. Achieve both practical and theoretical fluency in calculus and linear algebra.
  2. Acquire a broad background at the undergraduate level in all the major areas of mathematics, including analysis, algebra, and geometry.
  3. Learn to read and write proofs.

Requirements for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics 

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BS degree with a major in Mathematics must complete:

  • A minimum of 14-17 courses (42-51 credit hours), depending on course selection, to satisfy the major requirements.
  • A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
  • A minimum of 11 courses (33 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above. 

Students receive advanced placement (AP) credit by achieving a score of 4 or 5 on the AP AB-level test or by achieving a score of 4 or 5 on the BC-level test. The credit is articulated as MATH 105 or MATH 105 and MATH 106. Entering students should enroll in the most advanced course commensurate with their background; advice is available from the mathematics faculty during Orientation Week and at other times.

The chair of the MATH department's undergraduate committee may modify requirements to meet the needs of specific advanced students. If a MATH course is repeatable for credit, the course may only be repeated once.  

The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the major’s academic advisor, or where applicable, the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.

Summary

Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Mathematics 42-51
Total Credit Hours Required for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics 120

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements
Single Variable Calculus
MATH 101SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS I 13
or MATH 105 AP/OTH CREDIT IN CALCULUS I
MATH 102SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS II 13
or MATH 106 AP/OTH CREDIT IN CALCULUS II
Differential Equations
Select 1 course from the following:3
ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS AND LINEAR ALGEBRA
HONORS ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS I
Multivariable Calculus
Select 1 from the following:3-6
MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS
HONORS CALCULUS III
and HONORS CALCULUS IV
HONORS MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS
INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS II 2
CALCULUS ON MANIFOLDS 3
Linear Algebra
Select 1 course from the following:3
HONORS CALCULUS III
HONORS LINEAR ALGEBRA
LINEAR ALGEBRA
Real Analysis
Select 2 courses from the following:6
INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS I
INTRODUCTION TO ANALYSIS II 2
HONORS ANALYSIS
INTEGRATION THEORY
Algebra
Select 2 courses from the following:6
ABSTRACT ALGEBRA I
ABSTRACT ALGEBRA II
ADVANCED ALGEBRA I
Geometry and Manifolds
Select 1 course from the following:3
CALCULUS ON MANIFOLDS 3
DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY OF CURVES AND SURFACES
DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY
DIFFERENTIABLE MANIFOLDS
RIEMANNIAN GEOMETRY
Complex Analysis
MATH 382COMPUTATIONAL COMPLEX ANALYSIS3
or MATH 427 COMPLEX ANALYSIS
Topology
Select 1 course from the following:3
GENERAL TOPOLOGY
GEOMETRIC TOPOLOGY
ALGEBRAIC TOPOLOGY
Elective Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours from departmental (MATH) course offerings at the 300-level or above. 433
Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Mathematics 42-51
Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements *38-47
University Graduation Requirements *31
Total Credit Hours120

Footnotes and Additional Information 

Policies for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics

Program Restrictions and Exclusions

Students pursuing the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics should be aware of the following program restrictions:

  • As noted in Majors, Minors, and Certificates under Declaring Majors, Minors and Certificates, students may not obtain both a BA and a BS in the same major. Students pursuing the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics may not additionally pursue the BA Degree with a Major in Mathematics.

Transfer Credit 

For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. The Office of Academic Advising maintains the university’s official list of transfer credit advisors on their website: https://oaa.rice.edu. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s transfer credit advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities. 

Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines

Students pursuing the major in Mathematics should be aware of the following departmental transfer credit guidelines:

  • Requests for transfer credit will be considered by the program director (and/or the program’s official transfer credit advisor) on an individual case-by-case basis.

Additional Information 

For additional information, please see the Mathematics website: https://math.rice.edu/

Opportunities for the BS Degree with a Major in Mathematics

Academic Honors

The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate’s academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.

Additional Information 

For additional information, please see the Mathematics website: https://math.rice.edu/