Academic Program

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Faculty
Professors Christensen (Chair), Robertson, Saracino Associate Professors Chen, Cipolli, Davis, Jiménez Bolaños, Moore, Seo Assistant Professors Alexander, Isham, Ma, Sosa Castillo Visiting Assistant Professors Cassady, Del Real Ramos, Yardimci Senior Lecturer Tatangelo

There are many good reasons to study mathematics: preparation for a career, use in another field, or the beauty of the subject itself. Students at Colgate who major in mathematics go on to careers in medicine, law, or business administration as well as areas of industry and education having an orientation in science. Non-majors often require mathematical skills to carry on work in other disciplines, and all students can use the study of mathematics to assist them in forming habits of precise expression, in developing their ability to reason logically, and in learning how to deal with abstract concepts. There are also many people who view mathematics as an art form, to be studied for its own intrinsic beauty.

All mathematics courses are open to qualified students. Entering first-year students with a solid background in pre-calculus or high school calculus should be prepared for MATH 161 .

Students who are planning to undertake graduate study in mathematics are advised to take MATH 485 and MATH 487.

Course Information

The following classification scheme is used for MATH courses:

100-149: Only requires knowledge of mathematics before Calculus

150-199: Calculus-level knowledge and/or sophistication 

200-249: Linear Algebra level (gentle transition-type course)

250-299: Transition to the major level

300-349: Courses with requirements at Math 150-249 level

350-399: Courses with requirements at the Math 250-299 level

400-449: Courses with requirements at the Math 300-349 level

450-474: Courses with requirements at the Math 350-399 level

475-484: Research experience seminars

485-499: Advanced material

The expected rotation schedule of course offerings is described on the Department of Mathematics webpage.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors in a major can find the additional requirements on the relevant major page. Use the links below in the Majors and Minor section to navigate.

Awards

The Allen First-Year Mathematical Prize — awarded for excellence in mathematical work on the basis of scores attained on the first year prize exam covering material from Math 161 and 162.

The Edwin J. Downie '33 Award for Mathematics — created in memory of Edwin J. Downie '33, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus, given annually to a senior majoring in mathematics who has made outstanding contributions to the mathematics department through exemplary leadership, service, and achievement.

The Osborn Mathematics Prizes — established in honor of Professor Lucien M. Osborn, Class of 1847, to be awarded to students based on their performance on the Osborn Prize Exams covering material from MATH 377 and exactly one of: MATH 375, MATH 376.

The Sisson Mathematics Prizes — established in honor of Eugene Pardon Sisson, a teacher of mathematics in the academy 1873–1912, awarded to a student who maintains a high average in one or more 200-level mathematics courses.

Calculus Placement

Students who have taken pre-calculus or calculus in high school should enroll in MATH 161 unless the student's AP Calculus score allows for enrollment in a higher level calculus course.

Starting Fall 2027, students will have the opportunity during the first week of class to demonstrate knowledge of MATH 161 and/or MATH 162 in order to place into a higher level calculus course via our optional placement exam.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate

Students who have taken the Calculus-BC, Calculus-AB, or Statistics Advanced Placement exam of the College Entrance Examination Board will be granted credit according to the following policy:

Beginning Fall 2027: Students earning 5 on the Calculus-AB or Calculus-BC Advanced Placement exam will receive credit for MATH 161.
Students earning 4 or 5 on the Statistics Advanced Placement exam or a 6 or 7 on the IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL or HL exan will receive credit for MATH 105.
There are no other circumstances under which a student will receive credit at Colgate for a mathematics course taken in high school.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit for a mathematics course taken at another college may be granted with pre-approval from the department chair.

The following courses count toward the appropriate major or minor in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics only if passed at Colgate by completing a regularly scheduled course: MATH 250, MATH 260 and MATH 260L, MATH 375, MATH 376, MATH 377.

At most, two transfer or independent studies courses may be counted toward a major or minor.

International Exam Transfer Credit

Transfer credit and/or placement appropriate to academic development of a student may be granted to incoming first year students who have achieved a score on an international exam (e.g., A-Levels, International Baccalaureate) that indicates a level of competence equivalent to the completion of a specific course in the department. See the registrar's office prematriculation web page for more information.

Related Majors/Minors

Teacher Certification

The Department of Educational Studies offers a teacher education program for majors in mathematics who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching. Please refer to Educational Studies.

Study Groups

Colgate sponsors several study-abroad programs that can support continued work toward a major in mathematics. These include, but are not limited to, the Ireland Study Group, the Australia Study Group, the Australia II Study Group, the Singapore Exchange Program, and the Manchester Study Group (U.K.). For more information about these programs, see Off-Campus Study.