Table of Contents

Undergraduate Program


1. Degree Options

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has the following six degree options: three BA major tracks, two BS major tracks, and one minor, covering a wide range of topics in mathematics and statistics.

In terms of the difference between a BA and a BS in Mathematics, a summary is that the BA program provides undergraduate students with a broad knowledge of mathematics and statistics emphasizing their practical applications. The BS degree, on the other hand, offers a rigorous program tailored to undergraduates who intend to continue graduate school. BS is a more demanding degree (with more math courses and some very challenging proof-oriented courses required). Both degrees require the same number of total credits, although the BS degree does require more math courses. Some students seem to think that the BA in Mathematics is an inferior degree. However, that is not true. The BS degree includes a selection of courses that will best prepare students for graduate school in Mathematics, Statistics, or other related fields. The BS curriculum narrows the selection of courses to focus on that target. In addition to those who want to go to graduate school, the actuarial track in our BS degree also serves students who would like to take more classes that potentially help them pass more actuarial exams. The BA degree requires fewer math courses and hence students have the flexibility to take courses from other fields, including, for example, arts, languages, linguistics, natural science, philosophy, and social sciences. The BA is the most efficient way (though it is not the only way) for a student to get a dual degree or a double major in mathematics and another discipline.

To know more details about the three different tracks and their future career paths, here is the overview information.



2. Degree Requirements

Read the University Bulletin for a very comprehensive and detailed official description of the program requirements for each of the six degree options. In addition to the major/minor requirements, the Harpur College requirements can be found on this webpage. Please be careful about the Grade Requirements for the degree and prerequisite of registering courses.


3. Declare, Drop, and Change Major/Minor

Any student wishing to declare a major in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics needs to be admitted to Harpur College of Arts and Sciences first; otherwise, the declaration can not be processed.

To declare or drop a major or minor, fill in this Google Form. We now require each student declaring the BS major to meet with a faculty member before making the major declaration. Please write down the name of the faculty member whom you have talked with. The math office will not process BS major declarations until this step is completed. If you have not met with a faculty member yet but need to declare a major now, please consider declaring a BA major first (and switching to BS later if desired). Enter the faculty's name in the blank next to “Other” below.

To change from one major to another, simply drop the old major, then declare the new one.

Note that a student can only earn one major at maximum from the same department. Hence, no one can double major in mathematics and actuarial science, or obtain a BA degree in Statistics and a BS degree in Mathematics, etc. However, students are encouraged to explore double major options from a different department.

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4. Forms for Undergraduates

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5. Course Selection and Registration

To plan coursework effectively, students should consider both prerequisite dependencies between courses and the semester in which a course is offered. Prerequisites are particularly important in our department, and some courses are only available in certain semesters. Failing to account for these details could result in a student being unable to take required courses and potentially delaying graduation. In exceptional cases when prerequisite courses are in progress in the current semester without knowing grades, students may request a temporary waiver of prerequisites during the advance registration period using the Prerequisite Exception Request Form. However, proof of passing the prerequisite course is required at the start of the semester to remain enrolled in the class.



6. Information Regarding Calculus

More details about some important Calculus courses



7. Credits Transfer

Students may earn credit for coursework completed in high school through AP, IB, CLEP and other exams. Please view the policies and criteria below:

Students may also earn credit from courses taken in previous institutions or have the flexibility to take summer/winter courses at other institutions and then transfer credits back.

To transfer a math/stats course from outside Binghamton University for credit, you must receive pre-approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. Not all courses can be transferred, hence it is important to have the course coverage reviewed before you register them. To this end,

Online courses (especially asynchronous ones) are generally not approved for transfer (in some cases, transfer credits may be granted after passing our final exam with a grade of C or better.)

Courses from non-US institutions are typically not accepted, although there are exceptions for certain programs such as study abroad (excluding winter or summer sessions). More information on the rationale can be found here.



8. Accelerated Programs

An accelerated program allows a student to obtain a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in five years. You complete most of the coursework for your Bachelor's degree in your first three years. In your fourth year, you take both Bachelor's- and Master's-level courses, graduate with your Bachelor's degree, and formally apply to the Graduate School. In your fifth year, you are admitted to Graduate School and focus solely on graduate coursework. Check the Combined Degree Programs (4+1) for more details.

We offer the following three accelerated 4+1 Master programs, allowing students to obtain a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in five years.



9. Faculty Advisors

Students can seek advices from the following faculty members:



10. Honors, Awards and Scholarships

Every semester, we grant our best graduating majors a distinction called “honors”. Learn about graduation with honors. The department hosts a local chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the National Mathematics Honor Society. In addition to departmental graduation honors, the department grants several awards and scholarships each year to students who have made outstanding achievements in mathematical sciences. Many awards are made possible because of donations from our alumni and friends. These awards include the following.



11. Student Organizations and Activities

The students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics frequently participate in the following organizations and in a wide range of activities.



12. Additional Resources



13. For Prospective Students

If you are new to the Math major/minor, please spend a few minutes to read answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.

If you are a prospective student who is interested in visiting the department and talking with our faculty members, you can make an appointment with the department secretary.