Mathematics (BA)

College of Arts and Sciences

Program Website

Program Description

The mathematics major adapts to a number of purposes. It can emphasize the theoretical or the applied. It can be appropriate for professionals and nonprofessionals alike and can be broad or narrow. It can also be combined easily with serious study in another subject in the physical, biological, or social sciences by means of a double major and/or concentration. (See "Double Majors" below for more information.)

Questions concerning the major should be brought to the undergraduate coordinator. Information is also available at math.cornell.edu/major, including how to apply for the major.

Student Grade Option

Courses must be taken for a letter grade in order to count toward admission to the math major or to satisfy any math major requirement. A minimum grade of C- for a course to be counted toward the major.

Transfer Credit

Courses taken at another institution may be used to satisfy the math major prerequisites and to replace at most two courses toward the major requirements. These courses must be approved for transfer credit and appear on the Cornell transcript with Cornell course equivalents.

Visit the Math Department web site for more information about transferring credit from another institution.

Prerequisites

Students are admitted to the major after successfully completing a semester of linear algebra — MATH 2210MATH 2230, or MATH 2940 with a grade of B– or better — and a semester of multivariable calculus — MATH 2220MATH 2240, or MATH 1920 with a grade of B– or better. The department recommends MATH 2210MATH 2220 or MATH 2230MATH 2240.  While it is not recommended for students planning a math major, MATH 2310 with a grade of B+ or better may be accepted as a substitute for MATH 2210. A 3- or 4-credit computer programming course is also required with a letter grade of C– or better. Eligible courses include: CS 1110CS 1112CS 2110, and CS 2112.

Credit for MATH 1920 may be obtained by passing a placement exam during orientation; however, a score equivalent to a B- or better is required to satisfy the prerequisite for the math major. Students who score below a B- and wish to join the major may not attempt the exam a second time but should instead enroll in a multivariable calculus course.

Students who have taken a course in linear algebra and/or multivariable calculus during high school should consider taking MATH 2230MATH 2240.  This sequence gives a more abstract, proof-oriented treatment of the material. Students with an advanced background in linear algebra and/or multivariable calculus should contact the undergraduate coordinator for advice as soon as possible. Note that 4000-level linear algebra courses are generally not regarded as meeting the prerequisites for the math major.

Students who receive below the minimum grade in one of these prerequisite courses should contact the undergraduate coordinator immediately. Any repeated attempt to fulfill a math major prerequisite requires pre-approval from the math majors committee.

Double Majors

A double major with computer science, economics, or physics can be facilitated by the corresponding concentrations described above. The Departments of Computer Science and Economics permit double majors to use courses in the corresponding concentrations to satisfy the requirements of both majors.

Double majors with physics may count eligible physics courses toward both the physics major and the math major's math physics concentration; however, the Physics Department will not approve courses for an outside concentration if they are being used toward another major or minor.

When enrolling in cross-listed courses, double majors must take care that at least 5 courses with a MATH prefix numbered 3000 or above will appear on their transcript. Students should consult other major departments about any further conditions they may have.

Senior Thesis

A senior thesis can form a valuable part of a student’s experience in the mathematics major. It is intended to allow students to conduct an in-depth investigation not possible in regular course work. The work should be independent and creative. It can involve the solution of a serious mathematics problem, or it can be an expository work, or variants of these. Conducting independent research, paying careful attention to exposition in the finished written product, and the delivery of an optional oral presentation can have a lasting positive impact on a student’s educational and professional future.

Graduate Courses

Some exceptional undergraduates, upon completing a rigorous foundation of 4000-level math courses, may wish to further develop their understanding of the material in subsequent graduate courses that the Math Department offers. The core courses from the mathematics graduate program - MATH 6110MATH 6120MATH 6310MATH 6320MATH 6510, and MATH 6520 - represent a good first exposure to graduate-level mathematics. MATH 6150MATH 6160MATH 6210MATH 6220MATH 6710, and MATH 6720 cover some additional material in a manner suitable to advanced undergraduates.

Undergraduates taking graduate courses should have completed advanced undergraduate courses on the same topic with a grade of A– or better. Interested students should discuss the possibility of taking graduate courses with their faculty advisor in the Math Department prior to enrolling in the course.

Honors in Mathematics

Honors in Mathematics is awarded to graduating math majors based on excellence in and difficulty of coursework satisfying the requirements of the math major, as well as mathematical research or the completion of a senior thesis. Honors in mathematics is typically awarded competitively to 15% or less of our graduating class.  Any student receiving honors must meet the following minimum criteria:

  • A median grade of an A- or better in 3000+ level coursework which satisfies the requirements of the math major. (If additional coursework is taken beyond what is needed to satisfy the requirements, it will be used when calculating the median grade.)

  • The majority of upper-level math courses must be taken at the 4000 level or above, and students must have distinguished themselves.  For example, the student has taken the honors sequences (MATH 4130-MATH 4140 and MATH 4330-MATH 4340) with grades of A- or better; or has taken graduate core classes (MATH 6110-MATH 6120, MATH 6310-MATH 6320, MATH 6510-MATH 6520) with grades of A- or better; or has written a senior thesis and has a strong endorsement from their advisor; or has mostly outstanding math grades (A or A+).

  • Students who have not completed the requirements for a concentration in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics are expected to be exceptional to receive honors. In addition to the criteria above, they must have done outstanding work (A or A+) in the courses counting towards the math major in their concentration.  A deep mathematical component to the work in their concentration is required.

(The honors criteria described here will start for all graduates in the 2026-2027 academic year. In prior years, these were the standards for awarding magna cum laude honors in mathematics.)