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2025-2026 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 three tracks: mathematics, actuarial science, or data science and statistics.
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 data science and statistics track provides a solid mathematical and statistical foundation for a successful career in statistics, data analysis, and data science. It offers excellent preparation for graduate study in statistics, applied mathematics, computational science, and related fields.
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: A. Calculus and Linear Algebra:
C. Algebra, Topology and Analysis
D. Additional Courses
Five additional 4-credit courses, chosen from the options below. - Any MATH course numbered above 330, other than 449, including graduate courses;
- CS 373 , CS 375 , CS 432 , CS 433 , CS 435 , CS 436 , CS 458 , CS 460 , CS 471 , CS 472 ;
- PHYS 341 , PHYS 411 , PHYS 421 and PHYS 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. No more than three 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. At most one of MATH 471 and 472 can be counted toward the major. MATH 449 does not count toward the major. Data Science and Statistics Track Course Requirements
The data science and statistics track requires 64-68 credits of coursework. Students must fulfill the following requirements for the major: A. Calculus and Linear Algebra
B. Number Systems
- MATH 330 - Number Systems (it is strongly advised that this course is taken as soon as MATH 227 or MATH 230 is completed)
C. Computing
One course in programming or computing such as: - MATH 445 Data Science Principles with R
- MATH 446 Scientific Computing in Python
D. Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics
- MATH 447 - Probability Theory
- MATH 448 - Mathematical Statistics
- Note: These two courses are the foundation of statistics and are prerequisites for many required courses shown below; it is strongly advised that the student takes MATH 447 as soon as MATH 323 is completed, and takes MATH 448 as soon as MATH 447 and MATH 330 are completed.
E. Regression and Statistical Learning
F. Mathematical Foundations
Students must also take: - MATH 371 Ordinary Differential Equations OR MATH 372 Dynamic Systems
- MATH 471 Partial Differential Equations OR MATH 472 PDE and Mathematical Analysis
- MATH 478 Real Analysis I
- MATH 404 Advanced Linear Algebra OR MATH 406 Computational Linear Algebra
G. Other Electives
Two of the following courses: - Any MATH course numbered above 330, other than 449, including graduate courses; CS 373 , CS 375 , CS 432 , CS 433 , CS 435 , CS 436 , CS 458 , CS 460 , CS 471 , CS 472 ; PHYS 341 , PHYS 411 , PHYS 421 and PHYS 422 ; courses from other departments with prior approval by the director of undergraduate studies.
H. Practical Experience
Students must also pursue one Practical Experience OR take one Seminar relevant to Data Analysis (0-4 credits). Please consult the director of undergraduate studies or academic advisors for options to fulfill this requirement. Students are particularly encouraged to fulfill this requirement via internships or research experience. Notes:
At least five of the required courses listed above, and numbered above MATH 330, must be regular courses (not independent study) taken from the department. Actuarial Science Track Course Requirements
Students must fulfill 76 credits of coursework, including 15 courses in mathematical sciences and four courses in economics as follows for the major: A. Calculus and Linear Algebra
C. Computing
One course in programming or computing such as: - MATH 445 Data Science Principles with R
- MATH 446 Scientific Computing in Python
D. Actuarial foundation courses
E. Actuarial elective courses
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. 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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