What Are the University of Buffalo Math Degree Requirements?

The State University of New York at Buffalo, also called the University at Buffalo or just UB, is a public research university in Buffalo, New York.

It's part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System.

The University at Buffalo's Bachelor of Arts in mathematics degree has several requirements that students need to fulfill.

There are 36 credits required for the major or nine four-credit courses.

Students are required to take courses in:

• Calculus
• Differential equations
• Linear algebra
• Higher math
• Math electives

Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA to receive their degree.

UB Math Degree Requirements

Keep reading to learn about UB's math degree requirements.

Calculus Courses for the UB Math Degree Requirements

Students in the math major are required to take the core calculus courses: Calculus I, Calculus II, and Calculus III. Calculus is the mathematical study of continuous change.

Calculus I covers differentiation and integration with applications, while Calculus II covers topics like:

• Differentiation and integration of transcendental functions
• Infinite sequences
• Series and power series
• Integration methods
• Analytic geometry

Calculus III also covers a variety of topics, including:

• Geometry and vectors of n-dimensional space
• Green's theorem, Gauss theorem, and Stokes theorem
• Multidimensional differentiation and integration
• Application to 2-and-3-D space

Honors versions of these courses are also available to students in the honors program.

Differential Equations Courses for the UB Math Degree Requirements

One differential equations course is required for the UB math degree, Introduction to Differential Equations.

An honors version of this course is available for honors program students.

Differential equations are equations that relate one or more unknown functions and their derivatives.

This introductory course focuses on:

• Analytic solutions
• Qualitative behavior of solutions to differential equations
• First-order and higher-order ordinary differential equations, including nonlinear equations

It also covers:

• Analytic, geometric, and numerical perspectives
• Interplay between methods and model problems
• Necessary matrix theory
• Differential equation models of phenomena

Students in this course use a mathematical software system designed to aid in the numerical and qualitative study of solutions and the geometric interpretation of solutions.

Before students can start on this course, they will need to have completed at least Calculus II.

Linear Algebra Courses for the UB Math Degree Requirements

Linear algebra is the field of mathematics that focuses on linear equations, vectors, and matrices.

One linear algebra course is required for the UB math degree.

The Introductory Linear Algebra course covers topics such as:

• Linear equations
• Matrices
• Determinants
• Vector spaces
• Linear mappings
• Inner products
• Eigenvalues
• Eigenvectors

Students must have completed at least Calculus II to take this course.

An honors version of this course is also offered to honors program students.

Higher Mathematics Course for the UB Math Degree Requirements

All students in the mathematics major at UB, regardless of being a standard or honors student, must take Introduction to Higher Mathematics.

Higher mathematics is another term for advanced math.

This course develops the student's ability to read, comprehend, and construct rigorous proofs and covers topics including:

• The number systems N, Z, Q, R and the existence of irrational numbers
• Sets and functions
• Finite/infinite and countable/uncountable sets
• The countability of the rationals and the uncountability of the real numbers
• Boundedness
• Upper and lower bounds
• Density of the rationals in the reals
• Archimedean property of the reals
• Mathematical induction
• Sequences of real numbers

As with other courses in this major, students must have completed at least Calculus II to take this course.

Math Electives Courses for the UB Math Degree Requirements

In addition to the required calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and higher mathematics courses, students must complete an additional 12 credits from 300 and 400 math courses with some exceptions.

This gives students a wide variety of electives to choose from. Students can take courses in areas of math like:

• Geometry
• Combinatorics
• Topology
• Real variables
• Cryptography
• Numerical analysis
• Data-oriented computing for mathematics
• Mathematics and climate
• Mathematics of voting
• Mathematical finance

Students cannot use courses that are already required for the major as their electives.

Other UB Degree Requirements

All students earning a bachelor's degree, regardless of their major, are required to complete the university's core general education requirements.

This is made up of 40 credits of study. All freshman students are required to take the UB Seminar during their first semester.

Students are also required to take two communication literacy courses.

The first must be Writing and Rhetoric, but the second can be the student's choice from a long list of options.

4 credit hours of mathematical and quantitative reasoning are also required.

Students can choose a course from categories like:

• General math and quantitative reasoning
• Statistics
• Pre-calculus and calculus

The university also requires seven scientific literacy and inquiry credits, including at least one laboratory credit.

Students can choose from sciences like:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth sciences
• Physics
• Astronomy

Students must also choose a thematic and a global pathway. Each pathway must include at least nine credits and three courses.

There are three options for thematic pathways:

• Diversity in the United States/ Diversity: Equity, Inclusions and Social Justice
• Social Science or US History and Civic Engagement
• World History & Global Awareness or The Arts or Humanities

There are also three options for global pathways:

• Languages/ World Languages or World History & Global Awareness
• The Arts or Humanities
• Diversity in the United States/ Diversity: Equity, Inclusions, and Social Justice or Social Science or US History & Civic Engagement or World Languages

Finally, all students must complete the UB Curriculum Capstone, a one-credit project that reflects the student's experience inside and outside the classroom.

Earn a Math Degree at the University of Buffalo

The University of Buffalo has several requirements for math majors, including courses in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and advanced math.

To learn more about UB math degree requirements, reach out to Learn.org today.