Mathematics Undergraduate Program
Expected Background of Freshman Applicants Algebra I | Expected Background of Community College Applicants Calculus | Typical Courses | Contact Information
The Mathematics Department offers a complete undergraduate program of courses leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Students may choose the teaching concentration to meet the requirements in order to enter a credential program in mathematics. It also offers a program of courses for students who wish to minor in mathematics, as well as a program leading to a Master of Science degree.
Just as we offer courses for students majoring in other disciplines, we encourage our math majors to take related courses in other fields. That is one of the reasons our graduates are in demand. A Cal Poly mathematics degree is widely recognized as useful in a variety of careers in teaching, business, industry, and as a strong foundation for graduate study in mathematics.
Cal Poly's undergraduate program in mathematics revolves around a core of courses taken by all students in the major. These courses provide a solid basis for more advanced work in a program of study that can be tailored to fit the individual student's needs and objectives. The student consults closely with faculty advisors in choosing advanced course work beyond the core.
The rich variety of courses available in the department permits the student not only to obtain a broad exposure to those fields of mathematics that are most useful in the physical sciences and engineering, but also to obtain experience with the mathematics used in business, management, and operations research.
Students wishing to prepare for a career teaching junior or senior high school should select courses in the teaching concentration to satisfy the California Credential requirement in mathematics.
All of thse programs provide strong mathematical foundation for the student contemplating the pursuit of an advanced degree in mathematics.
Expected Background of Freshman Applicants Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra II
- Math Analysis and Trigonometry
- Physics
Expected Background of Community College Applicants Calculus
- Differential Equations
- Linear Algebra
- Physics
For more specific information on transfer requirements, please see College of Science and Mathematics Advising Center - Transfer Information.
Typical Courses
- Abstract Algebra
- Analysis
- Calculus
- Combinatorics
- Complex Analysis
- Differential Equations
- Differential Geometry
- Euclidean Geometry
- Game Theory
- General Physics
- Graph Theory
- History of Mathematics
- Linear Algebra
- Linear Analysis I, II
- Modern Geometries
- Numerical Analysis
- Partial Differential Equations
- Probability and Statistics
- Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
- Theory of Numbers
- Topology
- Vector Analysis
Contact Information
For detailed course descriptions of all mathematics courses offered at Cal Poly, please see Mathematics Course Outlines. For questions or more information concerning the mathematics undergraduate program, contact Dr. Ben Richert. You may also stop by and see him (25-325) or call him (805-756-1681).