Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- ug [2026/03/07 01:38] – [5. Course Selection and Registration] kargin
+++ ug [2026/06/12 00:26] (current) – kargin
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-~~META:title=Undergraduate Program~~
+~~META:title=Math: Undergraduate Program~~
 ====== Undergraduate Program ======
 ===== Start here =====
+This page is for current and incoming Binghamton students who need the practical details of the Mathematics & Statistics majors and minor: forms, policies, and course-planning tools. For an overview of the program and tracks, see the [[https://www.binghamton.edu/math/undergraduate/|university program page]].
-This page is for current and incoming Binghamton students who need the practical details of the Mathematics & Statistics majors and minor: forms, policies, and course-planning tools. For an overview of the program and tracks, see [[https://www.binghamton.edu/math/undergraduate/|Undergraduate Program Overview]] and  [[https://www.binghamton.edu/math/undergraduate/tracks/|Overview of Major Tracks]],
 If you are:
+  * **A prospective student or still exploring whether to study Math/Statistics at Binghamton.**
-  * **Thinking about declaring, dropping, or changing a major or minor in Math/Statistics.**
+    Start with the [[https://www.binghamton.edu/math/undergraduate/|program overview on the university site]]. To visit the department and talk with faculty, contact the [[https://www2.math.binghamton.edu/p/contact/|department secretary]].
-    Go to Section 3, **“Declare, Drop, and Change Major/Minor”**, which includes the Google form and instructions.
+  * **Thinking about declaring, dropping, or changing a major or minor in Math/Statistics.**
+    Go to Section 3, **"Declare, Drop, or Change Major/Minor"**.
   * **Already a Math/Statistics major or minor and planning your courses.**
-    Go to Section 5, **“Course Selection and Registration”**, where you’ll find the prerequisite infographic, unofficial course schedules, and links to past syllabi.
+    Go to Section 5, **"Course Selection and Registration"**.
-  * **A prospective student or still exploring whether to study Math/Statistics at Binghamton.**
-    Go to Section 11, **“For Prospective Students”**.
 Need non-department help? See [[https://www.binghamton.edu/harpur/advising/|Harpur Advising]] (general advising) and [[https://www.binghamton.edu/registrar/|Registrar]] (records/transcripts).
@@ Line 66: / Line 61: @@
 </WRAP>
-To **declare** or **drop** a major or minor, fill in  [[https://docs.google.com/a/binghamton.edu/forms/d/1zNGh0jFPR0hSkc3YRJMiq1mn9FmqgpmrMPsMsP1PCjg/viewform|this Google Form]].
+To **declare** or **drop** a major or minor, fill in [[https://docs.google.com/a/binghamton.edu/forms/d/1zNGh0jFPR0hSkc3YRJMiq1mn9FmqgpmrMPsMsP1PCjg/viewform|this Google Form]].
 **BS majors:** Before declaring, you must meet with a faculty member. If you haven't done so yet but need to declare now, consider declaring a BA first and switching to BS later.
@@ Line 81: / Line 76: @@
   * [[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCNI1xrobusbsLV8FdOd_Cg8v9vSuTCvtVMseDUFouXLYfww/viewform|Math 225/227 Second Half-Semester Signup Form]] — For registering in 225 or 227 without the 224/226 co-requisite when the stand-alone section doesn't fit your schedule.
   * {{:forms:Math Prereq exception form.pdf?nocache|Prerequisite Exception Request Form}}
-  * {{:forms:undergraduate_request_to_take_graduate_course.pdf?nocache|Request to Take a Graduate Course}}
+  * {{:forms:undergraduate_request_to_take_graduate_course.pdf?nocache|Request to Take a Graduate Course}} — You must first obtain the instructor's consent, then visit the math department office for paperwork. To count a graduate course toward your major requirements, email the DUS **after** you have registered.
-  * {{:forms:independent-study-course-registration-form_497.pdf?nocache|Undergraduate Independent Study (Math 497) Form}}
+  * {{:forms:independent-study-course-registration-form_497.pdf?nocache|Undergraduate Independent Study (Math 497) Form}} — Find a faculty member willing to supervise, then visit the math department office. Note that there is a limit on how many independent study credits can count toward the major.
+=== Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) Program ===
+  * [[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOS2-lleSNuovFMl7pJf9S35bGZtg7jlvmHpcu4Znc_EbzUA/viewform|Apply to be a Math & Stats UTA]] — For students applying to serve as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant.
+  * [[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCYIeBW_2ghCDx0P6YGfXqkA1Bna3I7avwGz_S3RuYUBpAXg/viewform|UTA Faculty Endorsement Form]] — For faculty endorsing a student who has asked them to support a UTA application.
 ===== 5. Course Selection and Registration =====
@@ Line 113: / Line 111: @@
   * [[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BzaRe4lA3keJNy1MOEpwWlliM2s?resourcekey=0-Y8AehC-s_jroa55SIY-VXQ&usp=sharing|Past course syllabi by semester]]
-===== 5. Summer and Winter Sessions =====
+===== 6. Summer and Winter Sessions =====
 The department offers online math courses during summer and winter sessions. All courses are **synchronous** (live scheduled meetings, not self-paced). See the [[http://matrix.math.binghamton.edu/d/cgi-bin/schedule/course_schedule_form|department course schedule]] for current offerings and session dates.
@@ Line 124: / Line 123: @@
+===== 7. Information Regarding Calculus =====
-===== 6. Information Regarding Calculus =====
   * [[:Calculus|The Calculus Overview]]
   * [[calculus:placementtest:start|Calculus placement test]]
-  * [[math_227_place-out_exam| Math 227 place-out exam]]
+  * [[math_227_place-out_exam|Math 227 place-out exam]]
   * [[calculus:how_to_register|How to register for calculus classes]]
   * [[helprooms:start|Help room schedules]]
-  More details about some important Calculus courses
+ More details about some important Calculus courses
-      * [[calculus:math_223_224|Introduction to Calculus (Math 223)]]
+  * [[calculus:math_223_224|Introduction to Calculus (Math 223)]]
-      * [[calculus:math_224_225:start|Calculus I (Math 224/225)]]
+  * [[calculus:math_224_225:start|Calculus I (Math 224/225)]]
-      * [[calculus:math_226_227:start|Calculus II (Math 226/227)]]
+  * [[calculus:math_226_227:start|Calculus II (Math 226/227)]]
-      * [[calculus:math_323:start|Calculus III (Math 323)]]
+  * [[calculus:math_323:start|Calculus III (Math 323)]]
-      * [[math220|Calculus for Business and Management (Math 220)]]
+  * [[math220|Calculus for Business and Management (Math 220)]]
-===== 7. Credit Transfer and Exam Credit =====
+===== 8. Credit Transfer and Exam Credit =====
 ==== Exam Credit (AP / IB / CLEP) ====
@@ Line 161: / Line 159: @@
 <WRAP important>
   * **Online asynchronous courses** are generally not approved for transfer.
+  * **Upper-level courses** (Math 330 and above) are rarely approved for transfer.
   * **Courses from non-US institutions** are generally not approved unless part of a regular degree-granting curriculum or an approved Binghamton-affiliated program (e.g., BU study abroad). Standalone summer or winter courses abroad are not accepted.
 </WRAP>
+===== 9. Accelerated (4+1) Programs =====
+Binghamton's 4+1 programs let qualified students earn a bachelor's + master's degree in about five years.
-===== 7. Accelerated (4+1) Programs =====
-Binghamton’s 4+1 programs let qualified students earn a bachelor’s + master’s degree in about five years.
 See [[https://www.binghamton.edu/harpur/degrees/4-plus-1.html|Combined Degree Programs (4+1)]] for general eligibility and policies.
 Math-related options include:
-  * [[https://www.binghamton.edu/math/graduate/4-plus-1.html|BA/BS Mathematical Sciences → MS in Data Science and Statistics (DSS)]]
+  * [[https://www.binghamton.edu/math/undergraduate/overview/4-plus-1.html|BA/BS Mathematical Sciences → MS in Data Science and Statistics (DSS)]]
   * [[https://www.binghamton.edu/som/graduate-programs/mba/harpur.html|Harpur/MBA 4+1 program]]
   * [[https://www.binghamton.edu/tlel/academics/accelerated/index.html|BA Mathematical Sciences → MAT Mathematics (Adolescent Education)]]
+===== 10. Planning for Graduate School =====
+If you are considering graduate school in mathematics, statistics, or a related field, start planning early.
+**Choose the right courses.** Performance in **Real Analysis I and II** (Math 478/479) is widely used by admissions committees to gauge a student's potential — even for statistics and applied math programs. Beyond Real Analysis, the courses that matter most depend on the discipline you're targeting:
+  * **Mathematics:** The BS track is strongly recommended. Its required courses (Modern Algebra, Topology, Real Analysis) form the standard preparation.
+  * **Statistics or Actuarial Science:** A BA may be sufficient, but a BS or additional coursework beyond BA requirements is preferred. Do well in **Math 447** (Probability) and **Math 448** (Mathematical Statistics).
+  * **Data Science:** In addition to probability and statistics, consider extra coursework in computer science and computational methods.
+**Pursue research experience.** A natural starting point is our department's [[https://sites.google.com/binghamton.edu/directedreadingprogram/home|Directed Reading Program (DRP)]], which pairs undergraduates with graduate-student mentors for a semester-long guided reading project on a topic beyond the standard curriculum. It's a low-stakes way to experience mathematics outside the classroom and is excellent preparation for REUs and graduate study.  REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) programs are competitive summer research opportunities funded by the NSF and hosted by universities across the country. They strengthen graduate applications significantly and give you a taste of what research is like. Most REU applications are due in **January–February** for the following summer, so start looking in the fall. Sophomores and juniors are the strongest candidates. You can also approach faculty in our department directly to ask about research projects suitable for undergraduates. See this [[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U-27BeHMSJCWumbNByal2tHyYo9wRVud9WoRE70E47Y/edit?gid=1578071627#gid=1578071627|list of REU programs]] for current and past opportunities.
+**Plan your recommendation letters.** You will need letters from faculty who know your work well. Think ahead about which courses and professors will give you that opportunity — a professor who taught a course in which you earned a B or lower may decline to write, or write a letter that does not help your application.
+**Explore your options.** Math majors pursue graduate degrees in many fields, including mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, computer science, data science, operations research, economics, finance, and management science. Talk with your faculty advisor and read about programs early in your junior year.
-===== 8. Faculty Advisors =====
+===== 11. Faculty Advisors =====
 You can get advising in several ways, depending on the question:
@@ Line 190: / Line 200: @@
     * You may switch to another faculty advisor later, after you get to know the faculty.
-  * **Advising Liaison (especially for pre-majors / lower-division).**
+  * **Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising (especially for pre-majors / lower-division).**
-    * **David Biddle** (biddle@math.binghamton.edu) is the department’s Coordinator of Undegraduate Advising.
+    * **David Biddle** (biddle@math.binghamton.edu) is the department's Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising.
     * He is the primary contact for students exploring the major (not yet declared) and for majors still completing mostly lower-level coursework.
@@ Line 199: / Line 209: @@
-===== 9. Honors, Awards and Scholarships =====
+===== 12. Honors, Awards and Scholarships =====
 We recognize students through **graduation with departmental honors** and several **annual awards/scholarships**.
@@ Line 207: / Line 217: @@
+===== 13. Student Organizations and Activities =====
-===== 10. 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.
@@ Line 216: / Line 225: @@
     * [[https://bengaged.binghamton.edu/actuarial/home/|The Actuarial Association]]
     * [[http://people.math.binghamton.edu/alex/Pi_Mu_Epsilon_at_Binghamton_University.html|The Binghamton Chapter]] of [[http://www.pme-math.org/|Pi Mu Epsilon]], the National Mathematics Honor Society.
+    * [[https://sites.google.com/binghamton.edu/directedreadingprogram/home |The Directed Reading Program (DRP)]] — semester-long one-on-one reading projects with graduate-student mentors.
-===== 11. For Prospective Students =====
-If you are new to the Math major/minor, please spend a few minutes to read answers to [[http://people.math.binghamton.edu/qiao/advising.html|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 [[https://www2.math.binghamton.edu/p/contact/|department secretary]].