Applied Mathematics Major

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

Major Requirements

The major in applied mathematics requires 9 courses plus two non-MATH cognates. The requirements are as follows:

Preparatory Courses

Required Courses

In unusual circumstances, the deadlines indicated may be extended with departmental approval through student petition to the department chair.

MATH 163 - Calculus III (completed by the end of the sophomore year)
MATH 214 - Linear Algebra (completed by the end of the sophomore year)
MATH 260 - Computational Mathematics and (completed by the end of the sophomore year with a grade of C or better)
MATH 376 - Numerical Analysis (completed by the end of the junior year)
MATH 377 - Real Analysis I (completed by the end of the junior year)
To complete the major, each student must produce a thesis. This is normally done through . Students may be able to use if it is taken after completing MATH 376 and MATH 377. Students interested in using MATH 481 toward this requirement should consult the department chair.Note: Joint theses are allowed but will not normally be considered for honors. Exceptions may be made with departmental permission.

Elective Courses

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of APEL in the course offerings.

One elective from 200-level or above and two electives from 300-level or above. (Note that all three electives may be 300-level or above.)

Electives may be chosen from the following:

Non-Math Electives

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of APNM in the course offerings. Additional courses may count with chair approval.

Two courses representing a field of application interest outside of Mathematics. These two courses must count toward a single major in the Natural or Social Sciences preferably taken in two sequential semesters as the intent is to provide an immersive experience with the language, culture, questions, and ways of knowing of another field. The courses need not explicitly use mathematics, rather they provide a basis for communication with experts in that field. Normally, the senior project involves a topic related to this field of application.

GPA Requirement

A minimum GPA of 2.00 in the courses chosen to meet the major requirements is necessary to satisfy the major.

Honors and High Honors

To be considered for honors in Applied Mathematics, a student must achieve a 3.3 GPA in the respective major. In order to be considered for high honors, a 3.7 GPA in the major is required. For both honors and high honors, completion of a course numbered 400 or above besides 481-483 is required.

Honors / High Honors are attained by a student's production and defense of a thesis of distinction. The student's thesis adviser puts forward the thesis for honors consideration. Subsequently, a committee of three faculty members is formed, one being the student's thesis advisor, the others chosen by the department. The student must give a defense of the thesis. The committee of three, with other faculty members acting in an advisory capacity with a recommendation, then grades the project, consisting of the thesis and defense. In order for honors to be granted, the committee of three must grade the project as A- or better. In the event all three grade the project as A or better, high honors will be granted.

Joint theses are allowed but will not normally be considered for honors. Exceptions may be made with departmental permission.

As a reminder to the student writing theses for two different departments: Colgate's Honor Code states that substantial portions of the same academic work may not be submitted for credit or honors more than once without the permission of the instructor(s).

Honors are not awarded for a thesis produced in a student's terminal semester at Colgate.

Mathematics Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the catalog page.