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2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Mathematical Sciences, BS
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As one of the oldest academic disciplines in the world, mathematics has long been studied as one of the liberal arts and the language of the sciences. Mathematics is important for its many academic and professional applications, but it is also studied for its own beauty. It is therefore one of the most vital and lively subjects in the University curriculum. Students pursuing the BS may choose one of two tracks: mathematics or actuarial science.
The mathematics track focuses on fundamental concepts of modern mathematics which form a foundation for many areas of natural sciences and engineering, and increasingly social sciences. This track offers excellent preparation for graduate study in mathematics or a related field.
The actuarial science track prepares students for an actuarial career. Actuaries analyze and solve complex business and social problems related to insurance and pension plans. Professional advancement results from completion of specific courses and passing a series of examinations administered by the actuarial societies. It is a mathematically stronger program than the BA track in actuarial science. It is designed for students who may wish to pursue a graduate degree in actuarial science or related fields.
Our program allows students to acquire the fundamental mathematics and statistical skills to pursue further education at the graduate level or find excellent employment opportunities in a wide range of fields. Mathematicians and statisticians are in demand, not only in the teaching and research of mathematics and statistics, in the traditional fields of the natural sciences, computer science and engineering, but increasingly in business, economics, the social sciences, and the health sciences.
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University General Education Requirements
All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.
Harpur College Requirements
All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.
Prerequisites
Math 224 is required for all mathematics and statistics majors. If a student does not place into MATH 224, then MATH 223 and, if needed, MATH 108 are also required for the completion of the major.
Mathematics Track Course Requirements
The mathematics track requires 64 credits of coursework. Students must fulfill the following requirements for the major:
C. Algebra, Topology and Analysis
D. Additional Courses
Five additional 4-credit courses, chosen from the options below. No more than three of these five courses may be taken outside the department. Independent study and seminar courses cannot be used to fulfill this requirement without prior approval by the director of undergraduate studies:
- Any MATH course numbered above 330, other than 449, including graduate courses;
- CS 373, 375, 432, 433, 435, 436, 458, 460, 471, 472;
- PHYS 341, 411, 421 and 422;
- Courses from other departments with prior approval by the director of undergraduate studies.
Notes:
Courses from other departments, transfer courses and independent studies may not be used for more than five courses numbered above MATH 330.
Exceptions to the requirements for the BS degree may, in rare cases, be allowed. They must be approved by the department.
At most one of MATH 471 and 472 can be counted toward the major.
MATH 449 does not count toward the major.
Actuarial Science Track Course Requirements
Students must fulfill 58 credits of coursework in the field of mathematical sciences and four courses in economics as follows for the major:
D. Actuarial foundation courses
E. Actuarial elective courses
- Students take four courses from MATH 450, 452, 454, 455, 457
- Students can also choose from either MATH 458 or ECON 467
F. Advanced mathematics courses
Students take two courses from:
Notes:
Courses from other departments, transfer courses and independent studies may not be used for more than five courses numbered above MATH 330.
At most one of MATH 458 and ECON 467 can be counted toward the major.
MATH 346 is a preparation for the actuarial examination on Financial Mathematics. MATH 450 and 452 cover topics in the actuarial examination on Long-term Actuarial Mathematics (previously the MLC exam). MATH 454 covers the deeper mathematical foundation for the actuarial examination on Investment and Financial Markets. MATH 455, 457 and 458 cover topics in the actuarial examination on Statistics for Risk Modeling. MATH 457 also covers topics in the actuarial examination on Predictive Analytics. ECON 160 and 162 fulfill the VEE requirement on economics. MATH 448 fulfills the VEE requirement on mathematical statistics. ACCT 211 and FIN 311, offered by the School of Management, fulfill the VEE requirement on accounting and finance; however, neither ACCT 211 nor FIN 311 is required to complete the actuarial science degree. Though ECON 467 can be taken as an alternative to MATH 458, note that ECON 466 is the prerequisite for ECON 467 but it is not required by the actuarial science degree.
Students interested in an actuarial career should have knowledge of computer programming equivalent to CS 100 as a minimum, and also take courses in economics and finance.
Additional Information About the Program
Any math course in which a student earns a grade of C- or less is not acceptable as a prerequisite for any other course offered by the department unless stated otherwise in the course description. Any math course in which a student earns a grade of C- or less cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the major or minor. Math courses may only be repeated once to meet the above minimum grade requirements for the major. No course for the major may be taken more than twice. Students who fail to receive a grade of C or better after two attempts in a required major course will be dropped from the major. Withdrawals do not count towards the attempt limit. Students who are seniors may petition for an exception to this policy.
A pass grade (P) does not count toward the major unless the only grade available is Pass/Fail; in this case, consent of the department is required.
A student who has received credit for a course may not take one of its prerequisites for credit at a later time.
For more information on the Mathematical Sciences BS program, please refer to the Mathematics and Statistics website. To apply to the Mathematical Sciences BS program, please visit the University Admissions website.
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