PDF version of this chapterUndergraduate Degrees
Advanced Placement Examinations in Mathematics
The university grants four units of credit in mathematics for scores of 3, 4 or 5.Pre-Major Requirements
MATH 125, MATH 126 or MATH 127, MATH 225 and MATH 227 are required.Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
Six math courses at the 400 level or above including MATH 410, MATH 425a and either MATH 434 or MATH 435, are required.Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
Eight math courses at the 400 level or above, excluding MATH 434 and MATH 450, but including:| Required courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 410 | Fundamental Concepts of Modern Algebra | 4 |
| MATH 425ab | Fundamental Concepts of Analysis | 4-4 |
| MATH 471 | Topics in Linear Algebra | 4 |
Three physics courses are required.
| Required physics courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
Four additional courses in natural sciences or computer science, but excluding courses in mathematics, are required. At least two of these must be upper division courses, and each of the four courses must be acceptable for the Bachelor of Science degree in the department in which it is offered.
Grade Point Average Requirements
For each undergraduate degree an overall GPA of 2.0 in all upper division courses taken for the degree is required. In addition, any upper division course specifically listed as required must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or better (e.g., MATH 410, 425ab and 471 for the B.S. degree).Mathematics Minor Requirements
MATH 125, MATH 126 or MATH 127, MATH 225 or MATH 245, MATH 226 or MATH 227 and four math courses at the 400 level or above, one of which must be from MATH 410, MATH 425a, MATH 435, MATH 440 or MATH 471. These four courses at the 400 level or above must total at least 16 units.Honors Program in Mathematics
Admission to the Program
The honors program is available for mathematics majors. A student must apply to the department for admission. A minimum grade point average of 3.5 is required in the first two years of university work as well as in the lower division mathematics courses MATH 125, MATH 126 or MATH 127, MATH 225 and MATH 226 or MATH 227.Requirements
The students must complete all requirements for the degree program in which they are enrolled. MATH 410, MATH 425ab and MATH 471 are required. The remaining courses at the 400 level or higher must be acceptable for the B.S. degree.In addition, students in the honors program must register for at least four units of MATH 490x Directed Research.
The student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.5 in all courses at the 400 level or higher.
Combined Mathematics/Economics Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Students are required to take seven courses in economics, seven courses in mathematics and one course in computer programming languages. Pre-major requirement: MATH 125 or equivalent.In Economics: ECON 203, ECON 205, ECON 303, ECON 305, ECON 414 and at least two other ECON courses at the 400 level or above.
In Mathematics: MATH 126 or MATH 127; MATH 225 or MATH 245; MATH 226 or MATH 227; MATH 407, MATH 408 and at least two other MATH courses at the 400 level or above.
In Computing: At least one course chosen from ITP 110x, ITP 150x, ITP 165x; CSCI 101L.
Electives must be approved by the program advisors.
Language
Those students intending to go on to graduate school should satisfy the language requirement in French, German or Russian.Accelerated Math Program
This program permits exceptional students to receive both a bachelor's and master's degree in mathematics within a period of eight- to 10-semesters. It is intended for students with extraordinary secondary school mathematics preparation who demonstrate a superior level of overall scholarship. To complete the program in four calendar years, substantial unit credit upon admission to USC or attendance of summer sessions will be necessary. It is even possible to complete the requirements of the Accelerated Math Program and to minor in another department in an eight- to 10-semester course of study. The minimum requirements for admission to the program are placement out of MATH 125 and MATH 126 and acceptance into the program at the discretion of the Mathematics Department. Either the graduate algebra sequence MATH 510ab or the graduate analysis sequence MATH 525a and MATH 520 must be completed in the junior year (with no grade lower than a B) to be considered for admission to the Graduate School for the senior year; thereafter, and as long as they meet standard Graduate School criteria to remain in good standing, participants will hold dual undergraduate and graduate status. A minimum overall GPA of 3.5 is required to remain in good standing in the program. The senior year and any additional semesters are dedicated in part to further work in mathematics. A master's thesis is required.University unit requirements for the B.S. and M.A. degrees must be satisfied, and the specific course requirements for completion of the program are as follows:
Successful completion or placement out of MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 225 and MATH 226.
Successful completion of MATH 410, MATH 425ab and MATH 471 (with a grade of at least C) and at least two additional courses from MATH 407, MATH 408, MATH 430, MATH 432, MATH 435, MATH 440, MATH 445, MATH 458, MATH 465 and MATH 475.
Successful completion of MATH 510a, MATH 510b, MATH 525a and MATH 520 and at least two additional courses from MATH 502ab, MATH 506, MATH 507, MATH 525b, MATH 535ab, MATH 540, MATH 545, MATH 547, and MATH 555ab.
Successful completion or placement out of the sequence PHYS 151L, PHYS 152L and PHYS 153L and an additional three courses from the natural sciences, physical sciences or computer science; at least two of these three additional courses must be upper-division.
For sample curricula and further information about this program, consult the brochure The Accelerated Math Program available from the Mathematics Department.
Dual B.S./M.S. degree in Economics-Mathematics/Mathematical Finance
This accelerated 150-unit program permits superior students to complete all requirements for the combined Economics/Mathematics Bachelor of Science degree and the Master of Science in Mathematical Finance within a period of eight to 10 semesters. Admission to this program may take place any time after completing at least two 300/400 level economics courses and MATH 407. A minimum overall GPA of 3.5 is required for admission. Pre-major requirement: MATH 125 or equivalent.Students are required to take the following undergraduate level courses, in addition to standard university requirements for a bachelor's degree:
Economics: ECON 203, ECON 205, ECON 303, ECON 305; Electives: at least two other ECON courses at the 400 level or above.
Mathematics: MATH 126 or MATH 127, MATH 225 or MATH 245, MATH 226 or MATH 227, MATH 407; Electives: at least two other MATH courses at the 400 level or above.
Computing: at least one course from ITP 110x, ITP 150x, ITP 165x; CSCI 101L.
In addition, students are required to satisfy all the requirements of the Master of Science in Mathematical Finance degree. Electives have to be approved by program advisors.