The Honors Track in Mathematics and Statistics offers an opportunity for outstanding mathematics majors to engage in independent research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students who successfully complete the honors track will receive notice of this distinction on their academic transcripts and on their diplomas.
Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|
| Mth 251 Calculus I | 4 |
| Mth 252 Calculus II | 4 |
| Mth 253 Calculus III | 4 |
| Mth 254 Calculus IV | 4 |
| Mth 255 Calculus V | 4 |
| Mth 261 Introduction to Linear Algebra | 4 |
| Mth 256 Applied Ordinary Differential Equations | 4 |
| Mth 311 Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I | 4 |
| Mth 312 Introduction to Mathematical Analysis II | 4 |
| Mth 344 Introduction to Group Theory and Applications | 4 |
| Mth 401 Honors Project | 3 |
| CS 161 Introduction to Programming and Problem-Solving | 4 |
| Two additional approved 400-level sequences from list | 12 |
| One approved 300- or 400-level elective course from list | 3-4 |
For students using catalog year Fall 2018 or earlier:
- Mth 251, 252, 253, 254, 261, 256, 344, 311, 312
- One of the following: Mth 338, 345, 346, 444
- One of the following: Mth 271, CS 161
- Two approved 400 level sequences
- One approved elective course
- Mth 401 Honors project
Students must have a cumulative GPA no lower than 3.5 points and a GPA no lower than 3.67 points in the major.
No mathematics or statistics courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option are acceptable towards fulfilling the requirements for the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track. Transfer students majoring in mathematics are required to take a minimum of 15 credits of PSU upper-division mathematics or statistics courses in residence.
The department chair and an undergraduate adviser will monitor the progress of the students accepted in the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track. If this progress and/or performance are found to be unsatisfactory and if corrective actions cannot be identified, the students will be dropped from the Mathematics and Statistics Honors Track (the students may opt out to pursue a regular mathematics major or to select another major).
Honors Project (Mth 401)
The undergraduate adviser, in consultation with faculty, will assign the students a faculty honors project adviser to guide their research. The research topic will be at a 400-level or above and will not have been discussed or presented in courses the students have taken. Concluding the work, the students will give an oral presentation of the honors project to faculty and students.
How to Apply
Admissions Requirements
- Completion of 12 credits in the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 4 of which should be at a 300 level or above.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 points and a minimum GPA of 3.67 points in the Mathematics major.
- Complete application form submitted to the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics no later than three quarters before graduation.