Courses of Study 2024-2025
Mathematics
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In the College of Arts and Sciences .
Course Offerings
Mathematics is the language of modern science; basic training in the discipline is essential for those who want to understand, as well as for those who want to take part in, the important scientific developments of our time. Acquaintance with mathematics is also extremely useful for students in the social sciences and valuable for anyone interested in the full range of human culture and the ways of knowing the universe in which we live.
The Department of Mathematics faculty has strong and broad groups specializing in algebra, number theory, combinatorics, real and complex analysis, Lie groups, topology and geometry, logic, probability and statistics, mathematical physics, and applied mathematics. Additionally, several other departments at Cornell offer courses which involve a significant amount of advanced mathematical content. These include computer science, economics, operations research, physics, and statistics. Certain courses in these and other disciplines can be readily integrated into the math major though the various concentrations which are offered.
The department offers a rich variety of undergraduate courses. Additionally, some of the introductory graduate courses are suitable for undergraduates who have completed a rigorous foundation of 4000-level coursework in mathematics. Under some conditions, a student may carry out an independent reading or research project for college credit under the supervision of a faculty member.
Members of the department are available to discuss with students the appropriate course for their levels of ability and interest, and students are urged to avail themselves of this help. Students who want to take any of the courses numbered 3000 or above are invited to confer with the instructor before enrolling.
Website: math.cornell.edu
Faculty
T. Holm, chair; Y. Berest, director of undergraduate studies; I. Peeva, director of graduate studies; M. Aguiar, D. Barbasch, X. Cao, I. Choi, A. Chu, R. Connelly, K. Delp, B. Dozier, D. Freund, D. Halpern-Leistner, T. Healey, J. Hubbard, M. Huntley, A. Iorga, S. Jeong, M. Kassabov, A. Knutson, L. Levine, Y. Luo, M. MacDonald, K. Mann, J. Manning, K. Meszaros, J. Moore, A. Mosunov, C. Muscalu, A. Nerode, M. Nussbaum, K. Pohland, M. Poór, R. Ramakrishna, R. Ramkumar, T. Riley, L. Saloff-Coste, K. Seong, R. Sjamaar, S. Solecki, P. Sosoe, D. Stern, M.E. Stillman, S. Strogatz, E. Swartz, N. Templier, A. Townsend, A. Vladimirsky, R. Webb, M. Wegkamp, J. West, Y. Yang, I. Zakharevich, X. Zhou, D. Zywina
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Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit:
Students who have had some calculus should carefully read “Advanced Placement ,” and those who have not taken an advanced placement exam should take a placement test at Cornell during fall or spring orientation.
The linear algebra and multivariable calculus courses that we offer (MATH 2210 , MATH 2220 , MATH 1920 , and MATH 2940 ) cover considerably more material and in considerably greater depth than that which is covered in high school courses in these subjects. Students who have completed coursework in linear algebra and/or multivariable calculus and have a strong interest in challenging theoretical mathematics may consider enrolling in MATH 2230 –MATH 2240 . College courses may be eligible for transfer credit. Students who have completed a rigorous course in multivariable calculus that is not transferable may take the Engineering Math Advanced Standing Exam. There is no placement test for linear algebra, and it should be noted that 4000-level linear algebra courses are generally not regarded as meeting the prerequisites for the math major or minor.
Visit the Math Department web site for more information on advanced placement, including dates, times, and locations for Cornell math placement exams, and guidelines for transferring credit from another institution.
Course Selection Guidance:
For guidance in selecting an appropriate course, including how to factor advanced placement or transfer credit into that decision, please consult First Steps in Math. New students will have an opportunity to ask questions about math placement during fall orientation at the Arts & Sciences Open House; however, it should be noted that the Cornell placement tests are often held before the open house. Students who are unsure if they need a calculus placement test should ask the director of undergraduate studies for advice in advance of the exam.
Precalculus:
Students who need to take Calculus I (MATH 1106 or MATH 1110 ) but are lacking the necessary prerequisites may take MATH 1101 to prepare. Courses labeled “college algebra” or “precalculus” at other universities, while not eligible for transfer credit to Cornell, may be used to satisfy the prerequisites for Calculus I.
Calculus and Linear Algebra:
Students should consult their advisors and keep major prerequisites in mind when planning a suitable program. The following are general recommendations. Consult First Steps in Math for more detail. The director of undergraduate studies will gladly meet with students to offer further advice.
- Students who expect to major in mathematics should take MATH 1110 –MATH 1120 and continue with MATH 2210 –MATH 2220 . This sequence is also a good choice for those studying economics or a science for which a strong math background is recommended. Students with a 5 on the Calculus BC exam and a strong interest in challenging theoretical mathematics may consider MATH 2230 –MATH 2240 , especially if they have had some prior exposure to linear algebra and multivariable calculus.
- MATH 1910 –MATH 1920 –MATH 2930 –MATH 2940 is the core sequence for engineering students. It is also recommended by some advisors in fields strongly related to the mathematical and physical sciences, such as astronomy, computer science, physics, and physical chemistry. MATH 1910 assumes students have already taken a good first course in calculus, which can be satisfied with a 5 on the Calculus AB exam or a course like MATH 1110 . Students in this sequence who plan to take more math should consider a 3000-level course to gain experience writing proofs before attempting a 4000-level course.
- MATH 1110 –MATH 1120 followed by MATH 2310 is a good choice for students who need to master the basic techniques of calculus but whose majors will not require a substantial amount of mathematics. MATH 1110 –MATH 2310 is an option for students who need some linear algebra but not a full year of calculus.
- MATH 1106 is an option for students whose major requires only one semester of calculus. Some topics are covered in less depth than in MATH 1110 , while more advanced topics are introduced. MATH 1106 focuses on modeling using examples from the life sciences. It introduces some fundamental concepts of calculus and provides a brief introduction to differential equations. Students who may take more than one semester of calculus should take MATH 1110 rather than MATH 1106 .
- Students who are undecided about their future studies at Cornell but think they may involve a substantial amount of math can keep their options open by taking Calculus I (MATH 1110 or AP credit), Calculus II (MATH 1120 or AP credit), and Linear Algebra (MATH 2210 ). Multivariable Calculus (MATH 2220 ) would be the next step for students who are still leaning in the direction of a math-related major and may wish to take more advanced mathematics.
Some switching between sequences (1) and (2) is possible provided classes are taken in the right order. For example, MATH 2220 must be preceded by a semester of linear algebra. Students who have taken MATH 2310 may need more foundational coursework before pursuing further study in mathematics and should consult the director of undergraduate studies for advice before continuing.
Special-Purpose Sequences:
Students who will take no more than two semesters of mathematics can gain a broader view of the subject by taking one semester of calculus and one non-calculus mathematics course. The following options are particularly useful for students in the life and social sciences and will satisfy the mathematics requirement for most medical schools.
- MATH 1105 –MATH 1106 provides a one-year introduction to the mathematical topics that are most useful to biologists and social scientists. (MATH 1110 may be substituted for MATH 1106 .)
- An introductory statistics course (MATH 1710 , for example), taken before or after a semester of calculus (MATH 1106 or MATH 1110 ), teaches students how to work with data and can be more useful in some disciplines than a second semester of calculus.
Students who want two semesters of calculus are advised to take the first two semesters of one of the calculus sequences, but students with excellent performance in MATH 1106 may follow that course with MATH 1120 .
Minor in Mathematics:
The mathematics minor is available to undergraduates majoring in other disciplines across the university who have an interest in studying mathematics. Students planning a minor in mathematics may seek advice on course selection from the director of undergraduate studies. Information is also available at math.cornell.edu/minor, including how to apply for the minor.
Student Grade Option
Courses must be taken for a letter grade in order to count toward admission to the math minor or to satisfy any math minor requirement.
Transfer Credit
Courses taken at another institution may be used to satisfy the math minor prerequisites and to replace at most one course toward the minor 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 minor after successfully completing a semester of linear algebra — MATH 2210 , MATH 2230 , or MATH 2940 with a grade of B– or better — and a semester of multivariable calculus — MATH 2220 , MATH 2240 , or MATH 1920 with a grade of B– or better. The department recommends MATH 2210 –MATH 2220 or MATH 2230 –MATH 2240 . While it is not recommended for students planning a math minor, MATH 2310 with a grade of B+ or better may be accepted as a substitute for MATH 2210 .
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 minor. Students who score below a B- and wish to join the minor may not attempt the exam a second time but should instead enroll in a multivariable calculus course.
Students who receive below the minimum grade in one of these prerequisite courses should contact the undergraduate coordinator immediately.
Requirements:
Students must complete four 3000- or 4000-level MATH courses. Only courses with a MATH prefix or cross-listed as such are allowed; no substitutions. At least one course must be in algebra and one in analysis. Eligible algebra and analysis courses are the same as those listed for the math major requirements (1) and (2) below. At least one of the four courses must be at the 4000-level or above. A course may be counted toward the minor only if it is taken for a letter grade and a grade of C– or better is received for the course.
Major in Mathematics:
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.
Note: In addition to the major requirements outlined below, all students must meet the college graduation requirements .
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.
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 2210 , MATH 2230 , or MATH 2940 with a grade of B– or better — and a semester of multivariable calculus — MATH 2220 , MATH 2240 , or MATH 1920 with a grade of B– or better. The department recommends MATH 2210 –MATH 2220 or MATH 2230 –MATH 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 1110 , CS 1112 , CS 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 2230 –MATH 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.
Requirements:
The minimum number of required credits to complete the major is 27. However, typical students accrue between 32 and 36 credits.
Students must complete nine courses, as described in items 1–3 below, under the following constraints:
- At least 5 courses with a MATH prefix numbered 3000 or above must appear on the student’s transcript. (Double majors enrolling in cross-listed courses should pay particular attention to this constraint.)
- At least two of the MATH courses taken must be at the 4000-level (or above).
- A course may be counted toward the major only if it is taken for a letter grade and a grade of C– or better is received for the course.
- No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement for the major.
- 2-credit courses count as half courses.
- MATH courses numbered between 4980 and 5999 do not count toward the major.
Major advisors may make adjustments to the major requirements upon request from an advisee, provided the intent of the requirements is met. In particular, many suitable graduate courses are not listed here, but are available for undergraduates who are well prepared.
1. Two courses in algebra:
Eligible courses are: 2. Two courses in analysis:
Eligible courses are: 3. Five further high-level mathematical courses:
a. Concentration in Mathematics:
i. Four additional MATH courses numbered 3000 or above:
At least one of the four courses must be among the geometry/topology courses. Eligible courses are:
Note:
MATH 3210 is eligible only if not used for the analysis requirement; MATH 4500 is eligible only if not used toward the algebra requirement.
ii. One course dealing with mathematical models:
Eligible courses include MATH 3610 and any course from outside mathematics with serious mathematical content that deals with scientific matters. Serious mathematical content includes, but is not limited to, extensive use of calculus or linear algebra. Any course from another department that would satisfy one of the concentrations may be used, as well as:
Note:
Other 1000-level physics courses and PHYS 2207 may not be used, but some courses in other fields may be accepted. AP credit may not be used.
b. Concentration in Applied Mathematics:
Five additional courses from (iii) and (iv) below, of which at least three are from (iii) and one is from (iv). Of the 9 courses used to fulfill requirements (1), (2), (3 iii), and (3 iv) of the math major with an applied mathematics concentration, at least one course must be taken from three of the four Groups A, B, C, and D below. Non-MATH courses in these groups may be used toward the math modeling requirement (3 iv).
iii. MATH courses numbered 3000 or above:
iv. Courses dealing with mathematical models:
Eligible courses include MATH 3610 and any course outside mathematics with serious mathematical content that deals with scientific matters. Serious mathematical content includes, but is not limited to, extensive use of calculus or linear algebra. Any course from another department that would satisfy one of the concentrations may be used. At most one of the following may be used:
Other 1000-level physics courses and PHYS 2207 may not be used, but some courses in other fields may be accepted. AP credit may not be used.
Group A. Differential equations
Group B. Discrete mathematics and combinatorics
Group C. Numerical and computational methods
Group D. Probability and statistics
c. Concentration in Computer Science:
Five additional courses from (v) and (vi) below, of which at least one is from (v) and three are from (vi).
v. MATH courses numbered 3000 or above:
vi. Computer science courses with significant mathematical content:
Eligible courses are:
Note:
There are also many CS graduate courses with significant mathematical content that may be used. Interested students should discuss these options with their math faculty advisor (after being admitted to the math major).
d. Concentration in Economics:
Five additional courses from (vii), (viii), and (ix) below, as follows: one course from (vii), three courses from (viii), and a fifth course from any of (vii), (viii), or (ix).
vii. MATH courses numbered 3000 or above:
viii. Economics courses with significant mathematical content:
Eligible courses are:
Note:
Undergraduate enrollment in ECON graduate courses requires permission of instructor.
ix. Courses in operations research with significant mathematical content and dealing with material of interest in economics:
Eligible courses are:
e. Concentration in Mathematical Biology:
Five additional courses from (x) and (xi) below, with three courses from (x) and two courses from (xi).
x. Biology courses that have mathematical content and provide background necessary for work at the interface between biology and mathematics:
Eligible courses are:
xi. MATH courses numbered 3000 or above:
Particularly appropriate are:
f. Concentration in Mathematical Physics:
Five additional courses from (xii) and (xiii) below, of which at least one is from (xii) and three are from (xiii).
xii. MATH courses numbered 3000 or above:
xiii. Physics courses that make significant use of advanced mathematics:
Eligible courses are:
g. Concentration in Operations Research:
Five additional courses from (xiv) and (xv) below, of which at least one is from (xiv) and three are from (xv).
xiv. MATH courses numbered 3000 or above:
xv. Courses in operations research in which the primary focus involves mathematical techniques:
Eligible courses are:
h. Concentration in Statistics:
Five additional courses from (xvi), (xvii), and (xviii) below. No substitutions are allowed for MATH 4710 or MATH 4720 . Students who have already taken a course with overlapping content should contact the undergraduate coordinator. (For students who have not had experience with real-world data, MATH 1710 is recommended before or concurrent with MATH 4710 . It will not, however, count toward any of the math major requirements.)
xvii. One additional MATH course numbered 3000 or above:
xviii. Two courses in other departments with significant content in statistics, complementing (xvii):
Eligible courses are:
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 6110 , MATH 6120 , MATH 6310 , MATH 6320 , MATH 6510 , and MATH 6520 — represent a good first exposure to graduate-level mathematics. MATH 6150 , MATH 6160 , MATH 6210 , MATH 6220 , MATH 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:
The Department of Mathematics awards honors (cum laude) and high honors (magna cum laude and summa cum laude) to graduating mathematics majors who have performed outstandingly in the major program.
The awards are determined by the Mathematics Major Committee in the latter part of the semester before graduation. The committee will primarily be looking for excellent performance in mathematics courses, particularly in challenging courses at the 4000-level or beyond. Independent study at a high performance level can also contribute to honors. Students interested in any level of honors should consult their major advisors or a member of the Mathematics Major Committee concerning suitable courses. Outstanding performance in the core graduate classes (MATH 6110 –MATH 6120 , MATH 6310 –MATH 6320 , MATH 6510 -MATH 6520 ) or an excellent senior thesis can contribute to high honors.
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