Undergraduate Studies Overview
Whether you already know what you would like to do with a degree in mathematical sciences, or whether you are simply exploring your options, we encourage you to explore the options offered by the Clemson University School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.
Underpinning Science
Mathematics is the underpinning of all the sciences. The study of mathematics has beauty in its own right as well as applications across virtually every field of interest. Studying mathematics trains the mind to analyze and make connections between different concepts.
In industry, mathematicians often provide the support structure enabling engineers and non-technical personnel to communicate effectively.
That flexibility and power may help explain why mathematical sciences majors score very well on graduate school admissions exams such as the LSAT, MCAT and GRE; have significantly higher-than-average starting salaries; have among the highest overall job satisfaction; and obtain a wide range of private- and academic-sector jobs.
One School, Many Options
Which program is right for you? The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs in mathematical sciences. Majors in both degree programs take the same core mathematics courses.
Bachelor of Arts
The successful Bachelor of Arts candidate will complete a four-semester sequence of a modern language, two semesters of lab sciences and either an approved minor program or a second Bachelor of Arts in another department. This is a common path for students who want to teach high school mathematics. These students often select a second major in secondary education with a mathematics emphasis. Common minors paired with a B.A. in mathematical sciences include business administration, history, philosophy, international science and engineering. Students interested in pursuing double majors with secondary education will have secondary education as their primary major and mathematical sciences as their secondary major. Primary advising will be conducted through the secondary education department, but we encourage all double majors to check in with a mathematics adviser periodically as well.
Undergraduate announcements are the final word on degree requirements, but the course catalog and the advising flowchart may be used in course planning. Questions? Contact the undergraduate coordinator.
Bachelor of Science
Students working toward bachelor of science degrees are expected to select areas of emphasis. This selection should be made no later than the spring semester of the sophomore year; until a student has declared an emphasis area, the student are considered “undeclared” and are assigned to general academic advisers within the school. The areas of emphasis are:
- Abstract mathematics.
- Applied and computational mathematics.
- Biology concentration.
- Actuarial science and financial mathematics.
- Computer science.
- Operations research and management science.
- Statistics.
Student Resources
New and Transfer Students
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Core Undergraduate Courses
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science majors take the same core mathematics courses:
- MATH 1060 Calculus of One Variable I.
- MATH 1080 Calculus of One Variable II.
- MATH 2060 Calculus of Several Variables.
- MATH 2080 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations.
- MATH 2500 Introduction to Mathematical Sciences.
- MATH 3020 Statistics for Science and Engineering.
- MATH 3110 Linear Algebra.
- MATH 3190 Introduction to Proof.
- MATH 3600 Intermediate Mathematical Computing.
- MATH 4120 Introduction to Modern Algebra.
- MATH 4530 Advanced Calculus I.
- MATH 4920 Professional Development.
- Six-unit capstone experience in the senior year.
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Courses, Schedules and Catalogs
To find out more about courses and schedules in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, use the following links:
- Coordinated Course Information website
- Math-Stat Class Schedules website
- Course catalog: Bachelor of Arts
- Course catalog: Bachelor of Science
- Course catalog: Biology concentration, Bachelor of Science
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Mathematics Placement Test
Placement into introductory computer science, mathematics, physic, and statistics courses is primarily done using the score from the math portion of the SAT or ACT. However, a student may choose to take the Clemson Mathematics Placement Test to try and improve upon their placement.
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Orientation Information
New and transfer student orientation is held regularly.
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Peer Mentoring
The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences provides team-based peer mentoring. Incoming freshmen are assigned, in teams of three to five, to an upperclass peer mentor. Teams meet on a regular basis for social activities, mathematical enrichment, academic support and informal peer advising. All incoming freshmen are assigned to a mentor team during summer orientation.
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Student Groups
Math Club
This group hosts speakers and activities on Friday afternoons. It is also responsible for the bi-annual Math-In event.
AWM: Association for Women in Mathematics
The Clemson Chapter of AWM is a mentoring group for anyone, especially women, interested in pursuing education and careers in fields relating to mathematics.
Clemson Actuarial Club
The Clemson Actuarial Club provides information and assistance to anyone interested in pursuing an actuarial career, a math and finance based profession dealing with risk management and insurance.
SIAM: Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
The mission of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics is to build cooperation between mathematics and the worlds of science and technology through publications, research, and community. At Clemson, the SIAM student chapter hosts the departmental picnic.
Beyond the Classroom
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Apply to the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Balancing the Equation
Women faculty in School of Mathematics and Statistics add up
Clemson assistant professor Ryann Rose Cartor always liked math, but it wasn’t until she took a business calculus class in her first semester in college that she knew just how much. “I took the class for fun, and I realized I was having a blast and doing great in a class,” she says. Cartor tells Clemson students the same thing. She is one of four new women assistant professors hired by the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences in the past two years, boosting the number of women with tenure or on the tenure track to 11.
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