Comprehensive Requirement

The comprehensive requirement in Mathematics has two parts. The first part measures competence in the five fundamental courses and is typically handled during MATH 300: Junior Colloquium.  During MATH 300 students take five exams, one in each of the fundamental areas; a passing score on each exam is a 12 (or higher) out of 20. Passing all five exams is required to pass the comprehensive requirement.

The second part requires successful completion for a letter grade of four units in:

MATH 395 (Special Topics in Advanced Mathematics) 

MATH 400 (Senior Seminar) 

MATH 497 (Independent Study) 

MATH 499 (Honors Senior Seminar)

A student wishing to complete the senior comprehensive requirements through MATH 497 or MATH 499 must find a faculty member in the Mathematics Department willing to supervise the independent study/honors thesis. 

A student who successfully completes four units from the courses numbered MATH 395, MATH 400, MATH 497 and MATH 499, and who receives a passing score on each of the five exams associated with MATH 300 will receive at least a grade of P in comprehensive requirements. 

To pass the comprehensive requirements with distinction (receive a grade of PD), in addition to meeting the requirements for a grade of P, a student must pass all five exams on their first try, have at least an 80% overall average on the five exams, and receive at least an A- in one of the courses listed above.

Further information is available from the department.