Undergraduate Home Page
Scholarship Opportunities
Early Mathematics Computational Cohort (E=MC²)
Why BYU math?
- Careers and Grad School: successfully prepares students for careers and for graduate school
- Undergraduate Research Internships: has one of the best undergraduate research and internship programs in math in the world
- Helping Students Succeed: faculty are focused on students and helping them be successful
- Nationally Recognized: has received national awards for faculty teaching and department programs
Both ACME and APEX
- provide great foundation in mathematics
- prepare students for careers and grad school
- offer undergraduate research and internship opporunitties
- focus on student success
- have caring and supportive faculty
APEX Strengths
- Lower number of required math credits
- easier to double major
- easier to explore a variety of math topics and classes
- more time to do undergrad research
- Flexibility (e.g., when and which math classes you take)
- Prep for graduate school in mathematics
- Upper-level math courses have smaller class size
Visit the APEX and ACME Home Pages to Learn More!
Preparation and Placement Information
To learn more about APEX, visit https://apex.byu.edu
To learn more about ACME, visit https://acme.byu.edu
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Toggle ItemGeneral Preparation Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
It is recommended that a student complete the following courses in high school:
- 4 units of English
- 1 unit of physics or chemistry
- 4 units of mathematics, including 2.5 units of algebra, 1 unit of geometry, and .5 unit of trigonometry. This qualifies a student to begin college mathematics with Math 112. If calculus is available in high school, a student planning to major in mathematics is strongly encouraged to take it; doing so requires completing one of the preceding algebra units before high school.
- Advanced Placement (AP) credit is available in mathematics as follows:
- A score of 3 on the calculus AB exam gives credit in Math 110 and 111; a score of 4 or 5 on the calculus AB exam gives credit in Math 110 and 112.
- A score of 3 on the calculus BC exam gives credit in Math 110 and 111; a score of 4 on the calculus BC exam gives credit in Math 110 and 112; a score of 5 on the calculus BC exam gives credit in Math 112 and 113.
- An AP student without credit in Math 112 must begin with Math 112; an AP student without credit in Math 113 must begin with Math 112 or 113.
- AP students should direct Educational Testing Service (ETS) to report scores to BYU to have credit posted.
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Toggle ItemAdvanced Placement (AP) Tests
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) TESTS
Advanced Placement (AP) credit is available in mathematics as follows:- A score of 3 on the calculus AB exam gives credit for Math 110 and 111; a score of 4 or 5 on the calculus AB exam gives credit for Math 110 and Math 112.
- A score of 3 on the calculus BC exam gives credit for Math 110 and 111; a score of 4 on the calculus BC exam gives credit for Math 110 and Math 112; and a score of 5 on the calculus BC exam gives credit for Math 112 and 113.
- An AP student without credit for Math 112 should begin with Math 112; an AP student with credit for Math 112 but without credit for Math 113 should begin with Math 113. If a student is confident in their mastery of this material, they may take a challenge exam.
- AP students should direct Education Testing Service (ETS) to report scores to BYU to have credit posted.
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Toggle ItemCredit Transfer EquivalencyCheck here for typical Mathematics Class Transfer Approvals. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Mathematics Department.
Questions regarding placement should be directed to:
Mathematics Department
275 TMCB
Brigham Young University
Provo UT 84602
(801) 422-2061
carlisa@byu.edu
ADMISSION TO DEGREE PROGRAM
The degree program in the Department of Mathematics is open enrollment.
THE DISCIPLINE
Mathematics is a means of dealing with order, pattern, and number as seen in the world around us. The abilities to compute, to think logically, and to take a reasoned approach to solving problems are highly valued in society and are characteristics of any educated person. Mathematics is not just a body of knowledge, but a process of analysis, reasoning, comparison, deduction, generalization, and problem solving.
A mathematician’s stock in trade is the ability to solve problems and to explain the solutions to others. Having once determined what the right questions are, solving problems involves analyzing both concrete and abstract situations, relating them to mathematical ideas, and using mathematical techniques to work toward solutions. Explaining the solution involves pointing out what has been solved and why the solution is valid.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Majors in mathematics (BS) prepare for a wide variety of careers. Some enter graduate school or professional schools and prepare for careers in such fields as college teaching, consulting, research and development, law, medicine, and business administration. Others take positions in government agencies, industrial laboratories, information management firms, or business organizations. All of them spend much time communicating with colleagues about the problems they are solving as they continue to learn more mathematics and share mathematical ideas with others.
TO RECEIVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE A STUDENT MUST FILL TWO GROUPS OF REQUIREMENTS:
- University Requirements
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and religious education. (See University Core for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- At least 30 credit hours must be earned in residence on the BYU campus in Provo as an admitted day student
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office
- Major Requirements: 2 Options for Math Major
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN MATHEMATICS CAN BE FOUND AT:
Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.
ADVISEMENT
Students whose grade point average is less than a B in Math 112, 113, 290, 313 and 314 need to realize that advanced courses require much more depth of understanding and may be difficult for them. All students are encouraged to meet regularly with a faculty advisor.
Students who are considering graduate work in mathematics may also receive advice from the graduate coordinator.
Questions regarding placement should be directed to the Mathematics Department, 292 TMCB.