What Are the Math Requirements at ASU?

Learn about the minimum math requirements at ASU, including admission requirements, core course requirements, and degree-specific requirements for math-related programs.

Planning to attend Arizona State University (ASU)?

Whether you're planning to major in mathematics or hoping to avoid college math classes altogether, you may be wondering about the math requirements at the school.

If you're hoping to attend ASU after high school, you will need at least four credits of math.

You should obtain passing grades in the following math classes:

  • Algebra I
  • Geometry
  • Algebra II
  • One class above Algebra II

If you aren't able to meet all of these class requirements, you can alternatively take a college math course that is transferable and has a prerequisite of intermediate algebra.

Alternatively, you can pass the math portion of the ACT or SAT exams with scores of 24 or 580, respectively.

In this article, we'll discuss the math requirements at ASU for incoming freshmen, students pursuing degrees in the field, and those simply wondering what math classes they will have to take regardless of their degree program.

What Are the General Math Requirements for ASU Undergraduate Students?

Curious about the math classes you'll have to take once you've enrolled at ASU?

The answer will largely depend on your choice of a major, as each degree program has different math requirements.

As you might expect, someone majoring in computer science or business will have more math requirements than someone majoring in art or music.

Some degree programs have no math requirements at all.

These programs include:

  • Film and media production
  • Aviation
  • Health sciences
  • Organizational leadership
  • Political science

Among the degree programs that do have required math courses, some of the courses you may have to take include:

  • College Mathematics
  • College Algebra
  • Precalculus
  • Brief Calculus
  • Finite Mathematics

Some program-specific math courses you may need to take, depending on your degree, include:

  • Introduction to Applied Math for Life and Social Sciences
  • Calculus for Life Sciences
  • Calculus with Analytic Geometry

Note that you will not have to take all of these courses unless specified in your degree program.

Most non-math degree programs do not require more than one to three math courses unless you are completing a minor in math.

Again, some degree programs don't require any math classes at all, as long as you can fulfill core course requirements by taking other classes.

What Are the Math Requirements for Undergraduate Mathematics Majors?

However, what if you're planning to major in mathematics? ASU offers seven distinct undergraduate degrees relating to math.

Let's take a closer look at the class requirements for each of these degrees.

Mathematics

The following mathematics bachelor degrees are available at ASU:

  • Mathematics (BA)
  • Mathematics (BS)
  • Mathematics (Secondary education) (BS)
  • Mathematics (Statistics) (BS)

Each of these programs requires many of the same math courses.

These courses include:

  • Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, II, and III
  • Linear Algebra or Applied Linear Algebra
  • Mathematical Structures
  • Advanced Calculus

Program-specific courses you may have to take include:

  • Modern Differential Equations
  • Algebra and Geometry in High School
  • Discrete Mathematics for Secondary Teachers
  • Probability
  • Mathematical Statistics

Various related courses and electives will also be required, but students have a wide variety of courses in these categories to choose from.

Actuarial Science

Students interested in completing a Bachelor of Science in actuarial science will need to complete the following math courses:

  • Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, II, and III
  • Linear Algebra or Applied Linear Algebra
  • Mathematical Structures
  • Mathematical Statistics
  • Mathematics of Finance
  • Actuarial Mathematics (Long- or Short-Term)

Electives and related courses relative to math will also be required, but students will have the opportunity to choose which of these courses they take.

Computational Mathematical Sciences

Planning to get a Bachelor of Science in computational mathematical sciences?

Expect to take the following math courses:

  • Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, II, and III
  • Modern Differential Equations
  • Mathematical Structures
  • Linear Algebra or Applied Linear Algebra
  • Intermediate or Advanced Calculus
  • Scientific Computing
  • Applied Computational Methods

Upper-division courses and electives in math will also be necessary.

Students can choose from a list of courses to fulfill this requirement.

Data Science

Bachelor of Science in data science students are expected to take the following math courses:

  • Calculus with Analytic Geometry I and II or Calculus for Engineers I and II
  • Applied Linear Algebra
  • Mathematical Tools for Data Science

Related courses and electives in math may also be required or chosen by students.

What Are the Math Requirements for Graduate Mathematics Students?

If you're planning to study math in graduate school, you can choose from various graduate degrees at ASU. Let's take a closer look.

Mathematics

Students at ASU can pursue the following graduate degrees in mathematics:

  • Mathematics (MA)
  • Mathematics (Ph.D.)
  • Applied mathematics (Ph.D.)

Required courses vary depending on the program. Some of the courses you may have to take include:

  • Differential Equations I and II
  • Applied Linear Algebra
  • Abstract Algebra
  • Graph Theory
  • Real Analysis

Aside from the required courses, students will have significant freedom in choosing related courses and electives that interest them.

Mathematics Education

A Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics education is also available.

The program consists of 84 credit hours and includes the following required math courses:

  • Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education I, II, III, and IV
  • Mathematics Research
  • Mathematics Dissertation

To complete credit hour requirements, students must also choose electives in mathematics or related fields.

What Are the Math Requirements for a Mathematics Minor?

Students interested in studying math but planning to major in another field can pursue a mathematics minor.

The following courses are required:

  • Calculus with Analytic Geometry II and III or Calculus for Engineers II and III
  • Linear Algebra or Applied Linear Algebra
  • 9 credit hours of upper-division coursework relative to mathematics

Available minors with varying requirements include:

  • Computational mathematical sciences
  • Data science
  • Statistics

Meet the Math Requirements at ASU Today

If you're ready to begin or continue your studies at ASU, understanding and meeting the math requirements is a step in the right direction.