A Bachelor's degree in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics can qualify you for a broad range of positions in business, industry, government, and teaching. Both programs cover a wide range of mathematical topics, but they place different emphasis on their theoretical and algorithmic aspects.

A Bachelor’s degree in Statistics provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills related to probability, mathematical statistics, data analysis and statistical computing. With the dramatic growth of big data, data science, and analytics, a degree in Statistics can qualify you for a career in many areas, including business, economics, medicine, epidemiology, agriculture, environmental sciences, sports, and all aspects of government.

Each of these degrees is also excellent preparation for graduate study in fields such as economics, law, computer science, education, management, operations research, data engineering, and mathematics and statistics themselves.

Our major and minor programs are flexible enough to allow students with diverse interests to align their mathematical experience with their ultimate goals, or with a second major. Students who complete MAT 295-296-397 and MAT 331 with excellent grades are encouraged to consider one of the majors described on this page.

A student who plans to take any course in mathematics should take the Mathematics Placement Examination (instructions). The placement exam tests the student's background in algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and some topics of calculus. The exam scores are reported to the student's academic advisor who helps with course selection.

Elementary Probability and Statistics

• MAT 121-122  sequence is designed for students who need statistics to satisfy the quantitative skills requirement of the Liberal Arts Core.
• MAT 221-222  sequence covers similar material but requires more mathematical maturity of the students. It is appropriate for all students who will need to use statistics in the course of their major program work. (This is often true of students intending to major in the social sciences.) This sequence is also required for Statistics majors.

Preparation for Calculus

• MAT 194 is a pre-calculus course. Mastery of this material is crucial in calculus. MAT 194 can be used to satisfy part of the quantitative skills requirement.
• MAT 193 is an intensive pre-calculus course for Engineering students in which the material of MAT 194 is combined with the review of algebra.

Calculus

• MAT 295-296-397 is a 3-semester sequence designed for students intending to major or minor in mathematics, physics, or other technical scientific areas that require complete fluency in calculus. If there is any possibility a student will major or minor in mathematics, that student must take the MAT 295-296-397 sequence in order to be eligible for required upper-level courses. Prospective majors are encouraged to simultaneously enroll in the Calculus Plus add-on courses (MAT 291, 292, 391) which explore the subject in more depth.
• MAT 285-286 is a 2-semester sequence for students intending to major in biology or a social science, or to pursue a B.A. degree in chemistry.
• MAT 284 is a one-semester course designed to meet the needs of Management students.
• Caution: Movement between sequences is difficult and will lead to some duplication of material, so making the proper choice of calculus sequence at the outset is important. Only one of MAT 284 or 285 may be taken for credit. Students cannot receive credit for MAT 284 or 285 after successful completion of 295. Also, students cannot receive credit for MAT 295 after successful completion of MAT 286.

Our majors and minors are designed to offer students a choice between depth of knowledge and breadth of application, as well as intensive or flexible schedules. In each of the majors, B.S. program requires 4 more courses than the B.A. program. A student who is undecided between B.A. and B.S. options should compare the number of courses required to complete each program with the number of semesters left.

Flexible Schedules

The B.A. in Mathematics, our most flexible program, offers students more opportunities to tailor the curriculum to provide depth within the specific fields they find most interesting. Most advanced courses for this degree can be selected by the student

The B.A. in Applied Mathematics offers a similarly flexible program while emphasizing the breadth of applications of math and its computational aspects that drive technological innovation.

The B.A. in Statistics is recommended for students who intend to pursue a career in a field that requires quantitative training with an emphasis in statistics. The flexibility of the B.A. program enables it to be an ideal option for a dual major for those who major in social sciences, humanities, and business.

Intensive Study

The B.S. in Mathematics, our most rigorous program, emphasizes the creative, nonprocedural thought processes through which the deeper understanding of mathematics is attained. Students who excel in it offer go on to graduate studies, either in mathematics or a related discipline such as physics or finance.

The B.S. in Applied Mathematics provides a rigorous, more in-depth exploration of math and mathematical algorithms that drive the innovation in science, technology, and engineering.

The B.S. in Statistics is recommended for students who intend to pursue a career in a field that requires rigorous statistical training. The program is intended to equip students with a solid understanding of statistical concepts and methods, as well as practical skills to work with data.

Dual Enrollment with the Whitman School of Management

Prospective undergraduate students can apply for dual enrollment in the College of Arts and Science and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Students complete the requirements for the B.S. in Mathematics, B.S. in Applied Mathematics, or B.S. in Statistics from the College of Arts and Sciences while simultaneously satisfying the requirements for any major in Whitman.

Mathematics Minor: Offered through our department, the minor in Mathematics complements a wide variety of majors in which students can benefit from stronger quantitative skills. The advisor for the Mathematics Minor is Leonid Kovalev.

Applied Statistics Minor: Offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, the minor in Applied Statistics is an interdisciplinary minor involving faculty from around Syracuse University and SUNY ESF. The Applied Statistics Minor advisor is Pinyuen Chen.

Any of the four Bachelor's degrees can be combined with a Applied Statistics M.S. into a 5-year program. The bachelor's degree is awarded after the fourth year and master's degree after the fifth year.

Mathematics and Applied Statistics (B.A. / M.S.)

Mathematics and Applied Statistics (B.S. / M.S.)

Applied Mathematics and Applied Statistics (B.A. / M.S.)

Applied Mathematics and Applied Statistics (B.S. / M.S.)