The City College of New YorkCCNY
Department of Mathematics
Division of Science

Pure Mathematics Concentration (B.A. or B.S.)

This page describes the major requirements for the Mathematics undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.) with a pure mathematics concentration. You may also check the bulletin entry.

In addition to completing the calculus sequence (20100, 20200/21200 and 20300/21300), students must complete a minimum of nine courses of mathematics as follows.

Required Courses
NumberTitleCredits
30800Bridge to Advanced Math3
32300Advanced Calculus I4
32404Advanced Calculus II4
34600Elements of Linear Algebra3
One of the following:
34700Elements of Modern Algebra4
44900Introduction to Modern Algebra4
At least three Elective Courses from among the following:
32800Methods of Numerical Analysis3
34500Theory of Numbers3
36000Introduction to Modern Geometry3
36500Elements of Combinatorics4
37500Elements of Probability Theory4
37600Mathematical Statistics4
39100Methods of Differential Equations3
The corresponding A-level graduate courses may be substituted for any of the following courses. For example, A3200 may be taken instead of 43200. Consult the Assistant Chair for permission.
43200Functions of a Complex Variable4
43400Functions of a Real Variable4
43500Partial Differential Equations4
44300Set Theory4
44400Mathematical Logic4
46100Differential Geometry4
46300Topology4
47700Stochastic Processes I4
47800Advanced Mathematical Statistics4
51100Selected Topics in Pure Mathematics4
51200Selected Topics in Classical Analysis4
51300Selected Topics in Probability and Statistics4

Total Credits for Specialization: 27-30

Related Field Course Requirement

Students are also required to fulfill a minor concentration of two advanced courses with mathematical content from an allied discipline (e.g., Physical Sciences, Computer Science, Philosophy, Economics or Engineering) to be approved by the Assistant Chair. Valid courses include:

  • Chem 33000 Physical Chemistry I
  • Chem 33200 Physical Chemistry II
  • CSc 21200 Data Structures
  • CSc 22000 Algorithms
  • CSc 30400 Intro to Theoretical Comp Sci
  • CSc 42200 Computability
  • CSc 44600 Mathematical Optimization Techniques
  • CSc 45000 Combinatorics and Graph Theory (unless already taken Math 36500)
  • CSc 48000 Cryptography
  • Eco 20250 Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Eco 20350 Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Eco 22350 Economics of Investment
  • Eco 42150 Advanced Financial Economics
  • Eco 42250 Options and Futures
  • Eco 33150 Introduction to Econometrics
  • Eco 43550 Econometrics 2
  • Phil 32100 Symbolic Logic
  • Phil 32200 Philosophy of Science
  • Phil 33700 Decision Theory
  • Phys 31500 Medical Physics
  • Phys 32300 Quantum Mechanics for Applied Physicists
  • Phys 35100 Mechanics
  • Phys 35300 Electricity and Magnetism I
  • Phys 35400 Electricity and Magnetism II
  • Phys 45100 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
  • Phys 45200 Optics

This list is not meant to be exhaustive. If a student feels that a non-introductory course in another field could be judged to have “serious mathematical content,” they can ask that the course be analyzed for suitability by the math department, in consultation with faculty members from the related field.

Additional requirements for the BS

One needs to complete four “Lab Sciences” intro courses from: BIO 10100, 10200; CHEM 10301, 10401; EAS 10600, 22700; PHYS 20300, 20400, 20700, 20800. (Remark: Students should take Phys 207-208 if they intend to take advanced physics courses as part of the Related Field course requirement above.)

Additional requirements all degrees

All Mathematics majors must make a 10-minute oral presentation of a mathematical topic and receive a passing grade based on a faculty evaluation.

In addition to major requirements, students must complete the general requirements of the college. For more information, please consult the bulletin chapter entitled General Education Requirements (Pathways).

Honors

Students planning to attend graduate school in mathematics are urged to apply for admission to the department Honors Program, which may lead to a degree with honors. Candidates should see the departmental Honors Coordinator no later than the beginning of their junior year to plan a program of study.

Meet the Platonic Solids: Cube

The cube

The Platonic solids have been known since antiquity, and they play a prominent role in Plato's description of the physical world. The planar faces of each solid are identical polygons. Only equilateral triangles, squares and regular pentagons appear.

Although the platonic solids seem to be purely geometric objects, they embody a number of deep algebraic features. Their symmetries, for example, relate to the solution of polynomial equations of low degree.

If you would like to learn more about Platonic solids, you can start here.

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