Math Degree Requirements

This page details the Math Major and Minor requirements. Please refer to the Caltech Catalog (Section 3, Information for Undergrads) for detailed information about the core institute degree requirements. The information below outlines the course requirements for an undergraduate math degree which are above and beyond the core institute requirements.


MATHEMATICS OPTION (MA)

Degree Requirements

  1. Ma 2
  2. Ma 3 or Ma 140 a 
  3. Ph 2 bc or Ph 12 bc
  4. Ma 5 abc, Ma 10, Ma 108 abc, Ma 109 abc
  5. Ma/CS 6 a or Ma 121 a
  6. Ma/CS 6 c or Ma 116 a or Ma/CS 117 a
  7. 45 additional units in Ma numbered 110 to 190 or ACM numbered 95 or above. Courses in other options with high mathematical content may be used to fulfill this requirement with the approval of the undergraduate option representative for mathematics. Of these 45 units, at most 18 can be from courses other than Caltech Ma courses.  
  8. Math majors must take two quarters (18 units) of a single course, chosen from the Ma course listings with numbers between 110 and 190, inclusive. In years where one of these courses is given as a one-term course only, it cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. These two quarters may be used to meet requirements 2, 5, 6 or 7.
  9. Requirements 1–6 may be taken on a pass/fail basis unless completed during the fall or winter of freshman year or when the course is only offered as pass/fail.
  10. Passing grades must be earned in a total of 486 units, including the courses listed above.


Second Year
Ma 2, 3 - Sophomore Mathematics
Ph 2 bc or 12 bc - Sophomore Physics
Ma 5abc - Introduction to Abstract Algebra
HSS Electives
Electives1        


Third Year
Ma 10 - Oral Presentation
Ma 108 abc - Classical Analysis
Ma/CS 6ac - Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
Ma 110-190/ACM 95+ - Advanced Mathematics
HSS Electives
Electives1


Fourth Year
Ma 11 - Mathematical Writing
Ma 109 abc - Introduction to Geometry and Topology
Ma 110-190/ACM 95+ - Advanced Mathematics
HSS Electives
Electives1

1Includes courses completed to fulfill option requirements 5, 6 and 7.

1st

9
-
9
9
18
45


3
9
9
9
9
9
48


-
9
9
9
18
45

Units per term
2nd

9
9
9
9
9
45


-
9
-
9
9
18
45


-
9
9
9
18
45

3rd

-
9
9
9
18
45


-
9
9
9
9
9
45


3
9
-
9
18
39



Mathematics Minor (Ma)

The mathematics minor is intended to supplement one of Caltech's undergraduate degrees. It is designed for students who wish to broaden their knowledge beyond their major to include mathematics. Students completing the mathematics minor requirements will have the phrase "minor in mathematics" added to their transcripts.

Ma Option Minor Requirements

  1. Ma 2, or equivalent courses approved by the option representative
  2. .Ma 3 or Ma 140a, or equivalent courses approved by the option representative.
  3. Two three-terms Ma courses, chosen among Ma 5abc, Ma 108abc, Ma 109abc.
  4. 18 additional units of selected Ma courses, approved by their minor adviser or the option representative. 5. Requirements may not be taken pass/fail unless completed during fall or winter of freshman year or when the course is only offered as pass/fail.