At Iowa State, the Department of Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree designed to support your goals—whether you’re aiming for a career in industry or planning to pursue graduate studies.
Whether you’re captivated by the elegance of pure mathematics or inspired by the problem-solving power of applied math, our program provides a supportive environment where your analytical skills can thrive. As a mathematics major, you’ll build a strong foundation in logic and computation while also developing the creativity and resilience needed to tackle real-world challenges.
Mathematics Program
In addition to general education course requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), mathematics students must complete a core curriculum of 19-20 credits, which includes:
- Math 1010, Math 1650, Math 1660, Math 2010 and Math 2650
- Either Math 3170 or Math 4070
Beyond the core, students pursing the standard mathematics major must also complete:
- Either Math 2660 or 2670
- Math 3010 and Math 4140
To round out the degree, students must choose one of the following course sequences:
- Math 3010/Math 4030
- Math 3040/Math 3140
- Math 3730/Math 4810
- Math 4140/Math 4150
- Math 4350/Math 4360
Detailed descriptions of these courses are available in the ISU Catalog of Classes.
Mathematics Major with Actuarial Science Certificate
Looking to pursue a career in the financial sector? The mathematics major with an actuarial science certificate may be right for you. Please see the Mathematics with Actuarial Science Certificate section in the ISU Catalog for more information.
Students can also major in actuarial science through Iowa State’s Ivy College of Business.
Mathematics Major with Applications
This degree program is designed for students who wish to specialize in the application of mathematics to another area of study. It is recommended for those planning to work in industry or pursue graduate studies in their chosen specialization.
Details and required courses can be found in the ISU Catalog.
Mathematics Major for Teacher Preparation
This program is designed to prepare students for a career in secondary education. All students pursuing teacher certification must complete the core mathematics courses required of all math majors, along with additional specialized coursework and the requirements of the Secondary Major in Education, including student teaching.
More detailed information is available on the Mathematics with Teacher Preparation page.
Another alternative path is to complete the mathematics major and, with one additional year, earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree in Mathematics Education.