Mathematics

What You Will Learn

1. A broad range of math topics.
2. How to construct logical, well-written, elegant proofs of math theorems.
3. How to use math as a problem-solving tool in the real world.
4. How to work collaboratively to solve problems.
5. How to connect and communicate ideas about math effectively.
6. Understand how math is connected to other areas of study.
7. How to use technology to explore math.
8. The skills needed to prepare you for graduate school or employment in a math-related field. 

A major in mathematics can be obtained by taking courses at Pitzer and the other Claremont Colleges.

A student must take a total of 14 courses for the Mathematics major, distributed as follows:

1. Calculus (3 courses)
   • Three semesters of calculus (MATH 030 PZ, MATH 031 PZ and MATH 032 PZ) with grades of C or better in each course. In some cases, a suitable score on the Pitzer Mathematics Placement exam, or Calculus AP exam, may be substituted for one or more of these courses.
2. Core (3 courses)
   • Linear Algebra (i.e. MATH 060 PZ )
   • Differential Equations or a Mathematical Modeling course making extensive use of differential equations. (i.e. MATH 102 PZ )
   • MATH 055 PZ – Discrete Mathematics
3. Depth and Breadth (5 courses)
   Five additional upper division mathematics courses (numbered 100 or above) chosen in consultation with the advisor. Ideally, these courses will expose the student to the major areas of mathematics as well as provide depth in at least one area.
4. Applications and Connections (2 courses)
   Two courses outside of mathematics that emphasize the application of mathematics or its connections to other disciplines: for example, courses in Computer Science, Science, Engineering, and History or Philosophy of Mathematics. These courses will be chosen in consultation with the adviser and normally will have mathematics courses from I, II, or III as prerequisites.
5. Communication ( 1 Course)

• Mathematics Forum (MATH 198 PZ ).

Honors:

• Students will be recommended for Honors at graduation if their overall grade point average is 3.5 or above, if their grade point average in Mathematics is 3.5 or above and if they satisfactorily complete a Senior Thesis of honors quality. 
• The Senior Thesis will be approved by the student’s Pitzer Mathematics adviser and normally completed under the supervision of a faculty member at the Claremont Colleges.

A combined major in mathematics is aimed at students who want to combine the study of mathematics with work in another field. This condensed course of study requires a student to take 10 courses.

• Calculus — Take all of the following courses:
  • MATH 030 PZ — Calculus I
  • MATH 031 PZ — Calculus II
  • MATH 032 PZ — Calculus III
• Core Courses — Take all of the following courses:
  • MATH 055 PZ — Discrete Mathematics
  • MATH 060 PZ — Linear Algebra
  • MATH 102 PZ — Differential Equations/Modeling
• Four upper-division math courses that address points of intersection between mathematics and the other major chosen in consultation with mathematics faculty advisors
• A senior thesis (MATH 199 PZ) drawing together mathematics and other major

Honors

Students will be recommended for Honors at graduation if their overall grade-point average is 3.5 or above, if their grade-point average in Mathematics is 3.5 or above and if they satisfactorily complete a Senior Thesis of honors quality. The Senior Thesis will be approved by the student’s Pitzer Mathematics advisor and normally completed under the supervision of a faculty member at the Claremont Colleges.

The mathematics minor requires the student to take six letter-graded courses: 

• Single Variable Calculus (MATH 031 PZ)
• Multivariable Calculus (MATH 032 PZ)
• Discrete Mathematics (MATH 055 PZ)
• Linear Algebra (MATH 060 PZ)

along with two additional courses (which cannot include precalculus or Calculus I) in Mathematics, at least one of which must be upper-division (numbered 100 or above), to be chosen by the student in consultation with a member of the Mathematics faculty. Finally, Math Forum (MATH 198 PZ), a no-credit course designed to provide experience in mathematical exposition and presentations for math majors/minors, needs to be completed.

Students must earn a letter grade of C-minus or better in each of the mathematics courses required for the minor.

Students who satisfy the requirement for Calculus II and/or III by placement or by AP credit may constitute the six required letter-graded courses by additional mathematics courses (which cannot include courses designed to prepare students for calculus), by computer science courses, or by courses with mathematics prerequisites in science, economics, or history and philosophy of mathematics.

Pitzer College and Claremont Graduate University offer combined programs leading to both a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree in one of the following: 

• Applied Mathematics
• Scientific Computing
• Statistics and Operations Research
• Teaching of Mathematics
• Pure Mathematics 

Students who are interested in one or more of these programs should consult with the mathematics faculty early in their undergraduate years.