Mathematics Major and Minor
www.Mathematics.Pitt.edu
Revised: 10/2021
Mathematics has been described as the queen of the sciences. Mathematics is the language of quantitative information and structure.
Quantitative information is acquired, classified, and processed according to mathematical models of physical phenomena with
mathematical tools. There is a wide range of applications even of the most pure of mathematical disciplines. Cryptography is based on
algebra, signal processing is based on Fourier analysis, and important applications from topology to physics exist as well. In our
department, we offer unique research opportunities for undergraduates in mathematical biology, scientific computing, and financial
mathematics as well as algebra, geometry, and analysis.
The Department of Mathematics offers bachelor degree programs in mathematics, applied mathematics, actuarial mathematics, and
mathematical biology. We also offer a joint major in mathematics-economics. Each of the department’s majors has its own philosophy
and its own formal requirements. For additional information, visit the Department of Mathematics Web site.
Required courses for the Mathematics major Upper-level elective courses; choose three of the
The mathematics major requires the completion of 41 credits in following courses
mathematics distributed as follows. MATH 1020 Applied Elementary Number Theory
MATH 1025 Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography
Calculus courses MATH 1050 Combinatorial Mathematics
MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 MATH 1070 Numerical Mathematical Analysis
MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 MATH 1080 Numerical Linear Algebra
MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 MATH 1100 Linear Programming
MATH 1101 Introduction to Optimization
Introductory theoretical courses MATH 1110 Industrial Mathematics
MATH 0413 Introduction to Theoretical Mathematics (W-course) MATH 1250 Abstract Algebra
MATH 0420 Introduction to Theory 1-Variable Calculus MATH 1280 Ordinary Differential Equations 2
MATH 0430 Introduction to Abstract Algebraic Systems MATH 1290 Topics in Geometry
MATH 1310 Graph Theory
Professional Development MATH 1350 Introduction to Differential Geometry
MATH 1360 Modeling in Applied Math 1
MATH 0500 Professional Development
MATH 1370 Computational Neuroscience
MATH 1380 Mathematical Biology
Upper-level required courses MATH 1410 Introduction to Foundations of Mathematics
Required course MATH 1470 Partial Differential Equations 1
MATH 1270 Ordinary Differential Equations 1 MATH 1510 Probability
MATH 1530 Advanced Calculus 1
One of the following MATH 1540 Advanced Calculus 2
MATH 1180 Linear Algebra 1 MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications
MATH 1185 Honors Linear Algebra MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications
One of the following MATH 1570 Transform Methods in Applied Math
MATH 1020 Applied Elementary Number Theory MATH 1700 Introduction to Topology
MATH 1025 Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography MATH 1800 Advanced Topics in Mathematics
MATH 1050 Combinatorial Mathematics MATH 2XXX, 3XXX any 3-credit graduate level course
MATH 1250 Abstract Algebra STAT 1631 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics 1
MATH 1310 Graph Theory STAT 1632 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics 2
Physics course
PHYS 0174 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1
Programming course; choose one Upper-Level Required Courses
CS 0007 Introduction to Computer Programming
CS 0008 Introduction to Computer Programming with Python One of the following
CS 0010 Introduction to Computing for Systems Engineers _______ MATH 1180
CS 0011 Introduction to Computing for Scientists _______ MATH 1185 (UHC)
CS 0012 Introduction to Computing for the Humanities
CS 0401 Intermediate Programming Using Java Required course
_______ MATH 1270
Recommended courses
Students interested in graduate study in mathematics are advised
to take MATH 1530 and MATH 1540. Those interested in pursuing One of the following
secondary education certification in mathematics are required to _______ MATH 1020 _______ MATH 1250
take MATH 1020, MATH 1230, and MATH 1290. MATH 1230 _______ MATH 1025 _______ MATH 1310
does not count toward the major. _______ MATH 1050
Grade requirements Professional Development
A grade of C or better is required in each course that is to count _______ MATH 0500
toward the major. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses
is required for graduation. Upper-level elective courses
Three courses from the list on the front of this sheet
_______ MATH _______ _______ STAT _______
Satisfactory/No Credit option _______ MATH _______ _______ STAT _______
Only MATH 0500 may be taken on an S/NC basis. All other _______ MATH _______
courses must be taken on a letter grade basis.
Physics course
Writing (W) requirement _______ PHYS 0174
Students must complete at least one W-course in the major.
MATH 0413 satisfies this requirement. Programming course; choose one
_______ CS 0007
Honors major requirements _______ CS 0008
Honors in mathematics is granted if the student: _______ CS 0010
• Completes these courses with a grade of B or better: _______ CS 0011
o MATH 1250 Abstract Algebra _______ CS 0012
o MATH 1530 Advanced Calculus 1 _______ CS 0401
o MATH 1540 Advanced Calculus 2
o One 2000 level MATH course as an upper level elective; Checklist for the Mathematics minor
• Completes an honors thesis under the direction of a member
of the mathematics faculty or earns a grade of B or higher in a At least nine credits in MATH courses numbered 0250
second 2000 level mathematics course in lieu of the honors or higher
thesis; and _______ MATH _______ (0250 or higher)
• Completes all other requirements for the major. _______ MATH _______ (0250 or higher)
_______ MATH _______ (0250 or higher)
Advising
Jason DeBlois At least six credits in MATH courses numbered 1000 or
THACK 407 higher
UGDMath@Pitt.edu _______ MATH _______ (1000 or higher)
_______ MATH _______ (1000 or higher)
Checklist for the Mathematics major
• Students may not count MATH 0400 toward the minor.
Calculus courses • Students may not count both MATH 0280 and MATH 1180
_______ MATH 0220 toward the minor.
_______ MATH 0230 / MATH 0235 (UHC) • Students may not count both MATH 0290 and MATH 1270
_______ MATH 0240 toward the minor.
Note: MATH 0235 (UHC) can replace both MATH 0220 and MATH 0230.
Grade requirements
Introductory theoretical courses A letter grade of C or higher is required in each course for
_______ MATH 0413 completion of this minor. Students may not take any course for the
_______ MATH 0420 minor on an S/NC basis.
_______ MATH 0430
Note: Students who successfully complete MATH 0450 (UHC) are Note: Students must apply for any official minor they will complete or have
exempted from MATH 0420. completed at the time they apply for graduation.
