Honors in Mathematics Major
Students must complete ten courses plus the capstone and a second major or minor.
Required:
- Math 151 Calculus I (QUANT)
- Math 152 Calculus II (QUANT)
- Math 251 Calculus III (QUANT)
- Math 265 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics (CRITTHNK, WRITCOM)
- CmSc 150 Introduction to Programming (QUANT)
200-Level Electives: One of the following courses
- Math 245 Mathematical Modeling (WRITCOM, INFOLIT)
- Math 255 Linear Algebra (ORALCOM)
Capstone: Both of the following courses
- Math 385 Senior Research Seminar (minimum grade of A)
- Math 398 Honors Research in Mathematics (minimum grade of A)
Second Major or Minor in a mathematics-related discipline
Electives: Four additional 4-credit 300-level mathematics courses from the following list:
- Math 315 Graph Theory
- Math 325 Topology
- Math 331 Real Analysis
- Math 335 Probability and Statistics I
- Math 336 Probability and Statistics II
- Math 345 Differential Equations
- Math 350 Abstract Algebra
- Math 360 Complex Variables
- Math 375 Geometry
- Math 390 Special Topics in Mathematics
- CmSc 365 Theory of Computation
A student cannot get a Mathematics major, an Actuarial Science major or a Mathematics minor in addition to the Honors in Mathematics major.
A general 4-year plan for the Honors in Mathematics major appears below. Some students enter Simpson with college or AP credit for Calculus I and/or Calculus II and are prepared to start Calculus II or III in their first semester.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
| First Year | Math 151 Calculus I | Math 152 Calculus II |
| CmSc 150 Introduction to Programming (either in fall or spring) |
||
| Second Year |
One or two of the following courses: | One or two of the other courses from the fall list |
| Math 245 Mathematical Modeling | ||
| Math 251 Calculus III | ||
| Math 255 Linear Algebra | ||
| Math 265 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics | ||
| Third Year | One or two 300-level mathematics electives | One or two 300-level mathematics electives |
| Fourth Year | One 300-level mathematics elective | Math 398 Honors Research in Mathematics |
| Math 385 Senior Research Seminar |
Most 300-level electives are offered once every other year. The usual two-year rotation for those classes appears below. Math 385 Senior Research Seminar and Math 398 Honors Research in Mathematics are offered every semester.
| Fall Semester in Odd-Numbered Years | Spring Semester in Even-Numbered Years |
| Math 325 Topology | Math 315 Graph Theory |
| Math 335 Probability and Statistics I | Math 336 Probability and Statistics II |
| Math 345 Differential Equations | |
| Fall Semester in Even-Numbered Years | Spring Semester in Odd-Numbered Years |
| Math 331 Real Analysis | Math 345 Differential Equations |
| Math 375 Geometry | Math 350 Abstract Algebra |
| Math 360 Complex Variables |
Additional Requirements for the Honors in Mathematics major:
- A student will typically apply for the Honors in Mathematics major in the fall of his or her junior year. The student submits the Application for Honors in Mathematics to the chair of the math department, who then passes the application on to all of the math faculty for consideration. The student must complete 3 semesters of work at Simpson after approval of the major.
- A GPA of 3.5 or higher must be earned in the courses for the major.
- A grade of A- or better must be earned in five of the 200-level courses or 300-level electives.
- Minimum grade of A in Math 385 Senior Research Seminar.
- Minimum grade of A in Math 398 Honors Research in Mathematics.
- The student must write and defend an honors thesis (completed during Math 385 Senior Research Seminar and Math 398 Honors Research in Mathematics).
- The student must be active in a variety of math-related extracurricular activities. A minimum of four extracurricular activities is required prior to applying for the major. Choices include, but are not limited to, a math-related internship, summer research experience, the mathematical modeling contests, the Putnam Competition and the presentation of a math paper at a state, regional, or national conference.