Named options

The Mathematics Major offers a variety of Named Options which allow a major to focus on those topics in mathematics which have a strong relationship to another area of study. This page describes those options and highlights topics and courses worthy of special consideration.

General Requirements and Notes for all Named Options

In general, all named option programs will have the following requirements:

1) A course in linear algebra (MATH 320, 340, 341, or 375).

2) An intermediate level "transition" course or sequence: MATH 321/2, 341, 375, 421, or 467.

3) A minimum of two advanced MATH courses (Numbered 500 and above).

4) A minimum of 18 credits in MATH from no fewer than six courses above the 300 level.

Any additional course/credit/level requirements are specific to each Named Option and students should refer to the guide for complete descriptions.

NOTES:

1) Be aware that the information below describes initial collections of courses and ideas worth considering which fulfill major requirements. Please refer to the guidefor all possible courses which can be applied to your named option plan and meet with an advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.

2) Note that course suggestions may have prerequisites.

3) Courses offered by departments/schools besides mathematics may have restricted enrollment.

MATHEMATICS FOR DATA, STATISTICS, AND RISK ANALYSIS

For students interested in mathematics inspired by or used in the fields of Statistics, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Bio-Statistics, and many others.

Students interested in this option should choose coursework focused on linear algebra, probability, statistics, analysis, and computational mathematics.

The precise description of the requirements of this named option is available in the guide.

If you are interested in this option then please meet with a math faculty advisor in order to construct a course plan which works best for you.

Linear Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 540

Probability: MATH 309, 431, 531, 535

Statistics: MATH 310

Analysis: MATH 321 and 322, 421, 521

Numerical Methods: MATH 514

Data/Risk/Stat Core: ACT SCI 303 or (STAT 333 and STAT 424) or (STAT 340 and STAT 424)

MATHEMATICS FOR THE PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Mathematics and the natural sciences have had a long and fruitful relationship since the dawn of humanity. This named option may be of interest to any mathematics student with a strong interest in physics, chemistry, biology, and most areas of engineering.

https://guide.wisc.edu/undergraduate/letters-science/mathematics/mathematics-ba/mathematics-mathematics-physical-biological-sciences-ba/#requirementstext

Students interested in this named option should focus on linear algebra, differential equations, geometry, and analysis.

Linear Algebra and Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 540, 541

Differential Equations: MATH 319, 320, 376, 519, 619

Geometry and Topology: MATH 551, 561

Real and Complex Analysis: MATH 321 and 322, 421, 514, 521, 623

Other topics: MATH 531

Core Natural Science: Physics 247/207/201/EMA 201 and Physics 248/208/202

MATHEMATICS FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION

This option is designed with input from our own School of Education to cover all core areas of mathematics expected of a secondary instructor in the context of a mathematics major.

https://guide.wisc.edu/undergraduate/letters-science/mathematics/mathematics-ba/mathematics-mathematics-secondary-education-ba/

Linear Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375

Analysis: MATH 421, 521

Algebra: MATH 540, 541

Probability/Combinatorics: MATH 309, 431, 475, 531

Statistics: STAT 301, 302, 312, 324, MATH 310, ECON 310

History of Mathematics: MATH 473

Geometry: MATH 461

Capstone: MATH 471

MATHEMATICS FOR ECONOMICS AND FINANCE

This option is inspired by interesting problems and applications in certain areas of business and economics (operations management, financial modeling, market behavior, and so on).

The mathematics is built around analysis, which allows us to link together different mathematical areas. For example: the theory of differential equations, which we use to model systems in order to make specific predictions on outcomes, with the theory of probability, which we use to model systems which have a variety of unknown outcomes. In addition to these topics, we recommend a strong background in linear algebra.

https://guide.wisc.edu/undergraduate/letters-science/mathematics/mathematics-ba/mathematics-mathematics-economics-finance-ba/#requirementstext

Linear Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 443, 540

Differential Equations: MATH 319, 320, 376, 415

Probability and Statistics: MATH 309, 431, 310, 531

Analysis: MATH 321-2 sequence, 421, 521(this is a required class for this program).

Introductory Econ/Finance Sequences: Micro (ECON 301 or 311) and Macroeconomics (ECON 302 or 312)

or

FIN 300 and 320

MATHEMATICS FOR PROGRAMMING AND COMPUTING

The areas of mathematics of interest here are often lazily grouped as "discrete" and include topics in algebra, probability, and number theory. However, analysis plays an extremely strong role in unexpected ways. For example: An iterative system which builds successive approximations can be thought of as a sequence. So questions about how well that system works can be restated as questions about if the sequence has a limit, how quickly the sequence converges to that limit, and so on.

Algebra: MATH 320, 340, 341, 375, 540, 541

Analysis: MATH 321-2, 421, 514, 521

Probability: MATH 309, 431, 531, 535

Number Theory: MATH 467, 567

Other areas of interest include combinatorics (MATH 475) and logic (MATH 571).

Students should also aim to complete the standard introductory programming sequence: CS 300 and 400.