Undergraduate Program Admission

Students are encouraged to declare a mathematics major in the freshman year so they can receive proper academic advising. Admission to the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the School of Science requires a C+ or higher in Math 16500, or a GPA of at least 2.5 in math courses beginning with Math 16500. The student must also meet School of Science requirements for admission. Beginning students can be admitted directly to the mathematics program if they meet the admission criteria based on high school grades and SAT/ACT scores.

Prospective IUPUI students

See IUPUI Admission Information for more detailed information on applying to IUPUI. You will have the opportunity on the application form to declare your interest in a mathematics major.

Current IUPUI students

Current students who wish to apply for admission to the mathematics program: Go to the Dean's Office for the School of Science (LD 222) and request an application form. It's that easy! We also strongly encourage interested students to schedule an appointment with a mathematics advisor prior to applying - send an email to the Math Department, or call 274-6918.

Degree Requirements (2008-2010 IUPUI Campus Bulletin)

These requirements and regulations are from the 2008-2010 IUPUI Campus Bulletin and are in effect for students who are admitted to the School of Science from August 2008 through May 2010. Students who enter after this period may be subject to different requirements; students who entered prior to August 2008 may elect to follow the graduation requirements that were in effect at the time of their admission to their degree program or the graduation requirements that became effective thereafter. However, the requirements chosen must be from only one bulletin. Please consult the appropriate IUPUI Campus Bulletin.

First-Year Experience Course

Each beginning freshman and transfer student (with less than 18 credit hours) is required to take either SCI I120 Windows on Science (1 cr.) or an equivalent freshman experience course.

Area I: English Composition and Communication Skills

• ENG W131 (or W140)
• COMM R110
• Second course in English composition (ENG W132 or W150, Eng W231, or TCM 32000)

Area II: Foreign Language

All degree options require 5 credit hours in a modern foreign language, which can be satisfied in two different ways:

1. Complete one or two first-year courses (totaling 5-6 hours) of a foreign language, including American Sign Language.
2. Take a placement test and place into a 200-level foreign language course or higher.

Area III:

Humanities, Social Sciences, and Comparative World Cultures

• HIST H114
• One course from List H
• One course from List S
• One course from List C

Physical and Biological Sciences

• At least four courses, totaling at least 12 credit hours.
• At least one course must contain a laboratory.
• A grade of C- or better required in each course, except for at most one grade of D+ or D.

The following courses are not acceptable: all AGR courses; AST A130; BIOL N100, N120, N200; CHEM C100, C101, C102, C110; GEOL G130; and PHYS 01000, 10000, 14000, 20000, 21800, 21900, P201, and P202 . (Also, only mathematics majors in the Secondary School Teaching option may use PHYS 21800 or 21900 to satisfy the science requirements, Area IIIC.) If in doubt about a particular course, the student should consult a mathematics department advisor.

Note: Refer to specific mathematics option major requirements for any additional requirements.

Computer Science

The computer science requirement is satisfied by one course, which must be in a higher-level programming language. A grade of C or higher is required. Approved courses include CSCI 23000, N305, N311, N331, and N335. CSCI 23000 is recommended.

Area IV:

Major Department Requirements

Mathematics courses in which a student has received grades below C (2.0) do not count in Area IV. The Area IV requirements for the secondary area of concentration and the major for the four degree options (pure mathematics, applied mathematics, actuarial science and mathematics education (secondary school teaching)) can be found by following the links below. There is no single semester-by-semester plan of study for any of the options because flexibility is encouraged within the various programs. However, a sample program that shows one possible sequence of courses is given for each option. Variations from the sample program should be made in consultation with the student's advisor. Because of the complexity of the requirements, and because certain courses are not offered every semester, it is important that each student consult the assigned advisor as soon as possible in order to proceed through a proper plan of study for the chosen degree program. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required in all mathematics courses that count toward the major.

Secondary Area of Concentration Requirements

So that each student can acquire some depth of study in a subject outside of the major area, the Department of Mathematical Sciences requires students to have a secondary area of concentration outside of the department. The secondary area of concentration consists of at least 18 credit hours and includes at least three courses beyond the introductory level. It is subject to the approval of the student's advisor. Although a secondary area of concentration is usually in one department, it may be from two or more if the advisor approves.

Courses may be used for the double purpose of fulfilling the general requirements and also for fulfilling the secondary area of concentration requirements of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. For students in the Pure Mathematics Option or the Applied Mathematics Option, a secondary area in one of the physical sciences or in a subject that makes serious use of mathematics, such as computer science, engineering, or economics, is desirable. Students in the Actuarial Science Option satisfy the requirements for a secondary area by the required business and economics courses. Students in the Secondary School Teaching Option satisfy the requirements for a secondary area by the courses they take to meet the professional education requirement.

The requirement of 18 credit hours in a secondary area of concentration does not, by itself, constitute an official minor that would be acknowledged on the student's transcript. A minor must be offered through the department or school in which the minor is taken. One such minor, which is designed to be of particular interest to students choosing a career in actuarial sciences, is offered by the School of Business in conjunction with the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Students interested in the business minor for mathematics majors should contact the Department of Mathematical Sciences or the School of Business for exact requirements.

Area IV Major Requirements

For details on the Area IV major requirements for the four tracks offered by the Department of Mathematics, click on one of the links below:
Pure Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Actuarial Science
Secondary School Teaching