Two-letter course code: MA

Chair, Professor H.T. (Pete) Hayslett

Professors Hayslett, Thomas Berger, and Fernando GouvÍa; Visiting Professors William Berlinghoff and Ramachandran Bharath; Associate Professors Leo Livshits, Benjamin Mathes, and George Welch; Assistant Professors Jan Holly and Otto Bretscher; Visiting Instructor W. Dale Garraway

The Department of Mathematics offers courses in mathematics and statistics for students who: (1) plan a career in an area of pure or applied mathematics; (2) need mathematics as support for their chosen major; or (3) elect to take mathematics as part of their liberal arts education or to fulfill the area requirement in quantitative reasoning.

The department offers three programs: majors in mathematics and mathematical sciences and a minor in mathematics. Majors in mathematics and mathematical sciences can be taken with honors. In addition, there are interdepartmental joint majors in economics-mathematics and philosophy-mathematics.

Colby mathematics majors in recent years have entered graduate school to do advanced work in mathematics, statistics, computer science, biomathematics, and physics. They also have used the major as a solid foundation for careers in teaching, law, banking, insurance, management, the computer industry, and other areas.

All first-year students who intend to enroll in one of the 100-level calculus courses in the fall semester are required to complete the mathematics placement questionnaire prior to registration.

Requirements for the Major in Mathematics
Completion of one year of calculus, Mathematics 253, 274, 333, 338, plus five additional courses selected from Mathematics 262 and any other three- or four-credit mathematics courses numbered 300 or above, at least one of which must be a 400-level course (excluding Mathematics 484).

Requirements for the Major in Mathematical Sciences
Completion of one year of calculus, Mathematics 253, 262, 274, Computer Science 151; one course (to establish an overall "theme" for the major) selected from Mathematics 311, 381, 398, Computer Science 231; four three- or four-credit courses selected from mathematics courses numbered 200 or above (excluding Mathematics 484). With written permission of the advisor, one (or two, in exceptional cases) of these courses may be replaced by a course with significant mathematical content from another department.

Requirements for the Honors Program in Mathematics or Mathematical Sciences
An honors program is available for students majoring in mathematics and mathematical sciences who have a grade point average of at least 3.25 in all mathematics courses numbered 200 or higher and who complete an additional, pre-approved program of independent study in the major (Mathematics 484) culminating in both a written paper and a colloquium presentation. Students who successfully complete the requirements and who receive recommendation of the department will graduate "With Honors in Mathematics" or "With Honors in Mathematical Sciences."

Requirements for the Minor in Mathematics
Six three- or four-credit mathematics courses, including completion of at least one semester of calculus, Mathematics 253, and at least one course at the 300 level or above.

The point scale for retention of the majors and minor applies to all courses in the majors/minors. No requirement for the majors or minor may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.