Information for prospective undergraduate students
Welcome
The Mathematics Department at the University of Rochester is a research oriented department with a strong interest in preparing the next generation of engineers, scientists and mathematicians for successful careers in industry, research, and business.
The department consists of 22 full time faculty members, all holding Ph.D.'s in mathematics. There are no part time adjunct teaching faculty. Advanced graduate students who have shown apptitude and interest in teaching serve as Teaching Fellows -- teaching a section of a calculus course under the guidance of faculty member teaching another section of the same course. The teaching fellows from the mathematics department regularly obtain teaching evaluations that exceed the average for the science faculty in general. In the last three years two of our teaching fellows have received the top university wide teaching award for graduate student teachers.
Calculus
Calculus is taken by many students with a wide variety of interests and preparation. The University of Rochester Math Department is large enough to be able offer a variety of tracks for learning calculus, and still small enough so that you won't get lost in the crowd.
Honors Calculus
The honors calculus sequence MTH171Q--MTH174Q, allows students to learn calculus and simultaneously introduces them to how research mathematicians think and their techniques for solving problems. It is not just for mathematics majors, but for any talented student who wants mathematical insight to be part of their intellectual tool box. The four semester sequence is quite challenging, but awards 20 academic credits (instead of the usual 16) and includes the material from a fifth course -- linear algebra (MTH235). (Linear algebra is, along with calculus and Fourier analysis, among the most powerful problem solving tools in mathematics, and is normally required for math majors. It is waived for students who complete the 170 series. Non-math majors also benefit, since for some this accelerated sequence is the only way they can fit linear algebra into their program.)
Standard Calculus
The standard calculus sequence (MTH161, MTH162, MTH164, and either MTH163 or MTH165) is taught in slightly larger sections. The sections are taught with common exams and homework which provides maximum flexibility for students who have difficulty fitting a calculus class into their schedule.
Math majors should take MTH165 instead of MTH163.
The MTH141--MTH143 calculus sequence covers one dimensional calculus, the same material as MTH161--MTH162, but in three semesters instead of two. Students are then ready to continue with MTH164 (multivariable calculus) and either MTH163 (differential equations) or MTH165 (linear algebra with differential equations).
The Calculus with Foundations courses MTH140A--MTH141A allow students who have had difficulty with algebra or who have insufficient preparation to strengthen their math skills, while beginning the calculus sequence. Students can choose to go on to MTH142 after this sequence.
More information on the organization of the calculus sequence is available on the undergraduate page.
Clusters in Mathematics
There are many clusters available in mathematics and related fields. For examaple almost every 100 level mathematics course is part of at least one cluster. See the Collge Cluster Page for more information
Advanced Math courses
One of the big advantages of our mathematics program is the range and depth of undergraduate mathematics offerings beyond calculus. These include mathematics offerings of interest to future engineers and scientists as well as to mathematics majors. There are even courses such as financial math which discusses the pricing of options and derivatives. When you include the opportunity to take graduate programs while still an undergraduate, there is no possibility of running out of interesting and challenging courses. A description of the most popular advanced math courses and a complete list of all offerings is available.
Degrees in Mathematics
We offer both the B.A. and B.S. degrees in mathematics. The requirements are listed on our undergraduate program page. The minor in mathematics is particularly valuable for computer scientists, engineers, and scientists who want extra credentials in mathematics.
Summer research opportunities
This is a deal that is hard to beat: getting paid to learn. These summer opportunities provide opportunities to work on special projects or in special programs throughout the United States. The programs are available in physics, biology, and chemistry as well as mathematics.
Opportunities for graduate study while an undergraduate
Some of our majors, particularly those interested in attending graduate school in mathematics, get a head start by taking some of our first year graduate courses during their junior or senior year. These courses count for undergraduate credit.
Opportunities
Only a few mathematics majors plan to become academic research mathematicians. Most majors enjoy the challenge and fascination of mathematics and find the foundation of critical thinking and technical problem solving that they acquire to be an excellent foundation for careers in the computer industry, actuaries, industrial engineering, and business, as well as great preparation for law schools, medical school and graduate schools in the sciences and mathematics.
Other attractions
The Rochester Take Five Program, and the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music are additional reasons why prospective math and science students consider coming to Rochester. For information on admissions go to http://www.cc.rochester.edu:80/admissions/RC/.
Send feedback about this page