====== Course Planning by Track ======

This page offers track-specific guidance on course sequencing. See also:
  * [[ug:advising-resources|Prerequisite Dependency Infographic]]
  * [[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uDGTcS77GkOP5fIsZxIb8FRYp7uZyALS|Sample 4-Year Plans]] (Google Drive, one spreadsheet per catalog year, with tabs for each track and 4+1 option)

===== All Tracks =====

  * Complete **Math 330** (Number Systems) as soon as possible — no later than your fourth semester, preferably your third.
  * Finish **Math 304** (Linear Algebra), **Math 323** (Calculus III), and **Math 330** before advancing to upper-level courses (MATH courses above 330).
  * A grade of **C or better** is required for a course to count toward the major and to satisfy prerequisites. If you do not earn C or better in a required course twice, you will be automatically dropped from the major.
  * Prerequisite requirements are **strictly enforced** — you will be automatically dropped from a course if you did not earn C or better in its prerequisite.
  * Meet with your assigned **faculty advisor** regularly.
  * Plan to take **two math courses per semester** on average.
  * Make a **contingency plan** — what will you do if you need to retake a course?
  * **Get involved.** The [[https://sites.google.com/binghamtonsa.org/binghamtonmathclub/|Math Club]], [[https://bengaged.binghamton.edu/actuarial/home/|Actuarial Association]], [[https://bengaged.binghamton.edu/awm/home/|Association for Women in Mathematics]], and [[http://people.math.binghamton.edu/alex/Pi_Mu_Epsilon_at_Binghamton_University.html|Pi Mu Epsilon]] honor society chapter are good ways to connect with peers and learn about opportunities.


===== BA Mathematics Track =====

  - Finish the five lower-level courses (Calculus series, 304, 330).
  - Take one course from each of analysis, algebra, and geometry/topology.
  - Take two more upper-level courses, as long as they are not both from the same group.
  - Within the five upper-level courses, ensure there is a qualifying pair as specified in the [[https://catalog.binghamton.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=1025&returnto=209|Academic Guide]].

===== BS Mathematics Track =====

The BS requires more upper-level and proof-oriented courses including Real Analysis I & II (Math 478/479), Modern Algebra (Math 401), and Topology (Math 461). If you are aiming at graduate school in mathematics, this is the recommended track. Consult the [[https://catalog.binghamton.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=1026&returnto=209|Academic Guide]] for the full requirements.

===== Actuarial Science Track =====

  * Take **Math 346** (Intro Financial Math), **Math 447** (Probability Theory), and **Math 448** (Mathematical Statistics) as soon as possible — they are prerequisites for many electives.
  * It is too late to take Math 448 in your senior year.
  * The Actuarial track also requires **Econ 160** and **Econ 162**; the BS additionally requires **Econ 360** and **Econ 362**. Plan these into your first two years.
  * Consider taking School of Management **VEE courses** if you can — they are not required but useful for actuarial exam preparation.

===== Data Science and Statistics Track =====

  * Take **Math 447** (Probability Theory), **Math 448** (Mathematical Statistics), and **Math 445** (Principles of Data Science) or **Math 446** (Scientific Computing in Python) as soon as possible. It is too late to take these in your senior year.
  * **Math 455** (Regression Models) and **Math 457** (Intro to Statistical Learning) are core to this track — plan to take them in your third year.