The department of mathematics recognizes graduating mathematics majors for outstanding performance by awarding Honors, High Honors or Highest Honors in Mathematics. The awarding of departmental honors in mathematics is distinct from other honors graduation programs such as the honors program of the School of Arts and Sciences. Students may qualify for one or more honors programs, in multiple departments.
The requirements for graduating with departmental honors in mathematics are:
- Completion of all requirements for a BA or BS in Mathematics
- A cumulative grade-point average of 3.4 or better in mathematics courses at or above the 300 level,
- An overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0,
- Completion of two mathematics honors graduation units as described below.
High Honors and Highest Honors are awarded based upon individual evaluation by the honors committee.
Honors Units
Each of the following courses, when completed with a grade of B or better, is counted as an honors graduation unit: 411,412,451,452, 501,502,503,551,552. Admission to 411,412,451,452 requires application through the special permission for mathematics honors courses system. 501,502,503,551,552 are graduate courses and students aiming to take these should follow the instructions here.
There are some (rarely used) non-standard ways to earn math honors graduation units:
- An approved mathematics graduate course
- An approved independent study course
This may be a reading course or research project. - An approved special project supplementing a mathematics course at the 300-400 level.
Possible special projects include- Doing a collection of advanced homework problems;
- Writing an expository paper based on advanced supplementary material;
- Doing research on a topic related to the course.
A non-standard Honors unit requires prior approval by the honors committee and a positive recommendation from the sponsoring faculty member.
Approval of a non-standard honors unit
- Approval of a graduate course other than 501,502,503,551,552 as an honors unit. As described here, an undergraduate needs permission to register for any mathematics graduate course. However, admission to a graduate course does not necessarily mean that the graduate course counts as an honors unit. Each of the graduate courses 501,502,503,551,552 qualifies as an honors unit but other graduate courses do not automatically qualify. If you wish to have a graduate (other than 501,502,503,551,552) count as an honors unit then when you apply to take the course you should explicitly state that you would like to count the course as an honors unit. If approved, the honors unit will be granted after completion of the course, subject to a positive recommendation from the faculty instructor.
- Approval of a non-standard honors unit other than a graduate course. The key criterion for an acceptable honors unit is that the proposed work should be at a mathematical level and require effort that is at least comparable to that required by Math 411 or 451. The procedure for approval is:
- Prior to the proposed work: Complete the form Request for approval of honors graduation unit and email it to .
- After completion of the proposed work: Notify that the work is completed. The honors unit will be awarded upon positive recommendation of the faculty supervisor.