Undergraduate Program
Mathematics is a versatile and challenging field of study. A degree in mathematics is excellent preparation for careers in mathematics, science, engineering, software, business, and education.
The David and Judi Proctor Department of Mathematics at OU offers two Bachelor's degrees, a 5-year accelerated BS/MS degree in Biostatistics, a 5-year accelerated BA/MBA degree, a 5-year accelerated BA/MS in Finance degree, and a Minor in Mathematics:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) — This degree is based in theoretical mathematics and is designed to prepare students for graduate study in mathematics or a math-intensive field such as economics, engineering, or physics. See here for details.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) — A flexible program that allows students to target their areas of interest, whether it be pure mathematics, applied mathematics, or statistics. See here for details.
- Accelerated BS/MS degree in Biostatistics — The biostatistics coursework is offered by the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at OU Health Sciences Center. This degree is designed to prepare students for careers doing research or consulting for health agencies or medical institutions. See here for details.
- Accelerated BA in Math/MBA degree — An accelerated five‐year dual‐degree program that results in the sequential awarding of two degrees at the end of the program. The MBA coursework is offered by the Price College of Business. This degree is designed to prepare students for careers in business. See here for details, and here for the application page.
- Accelerated BA in Math/MS degree in Finance — An accelerated five‐year dual‐degree program that results in the sequential awarding of two degrees at the end of the program. The MS in Finance coursework is offered by the Price College of Business. This degree is designed to prepare students for careers in finance. See here for details, and here for the application page.
- Minor in Mathematics — This is a great way to build your mathematical expertise alongside your major, and to communicate that expertise when you are looking for jobs or admissions to graduate programs. See here for details.
Students also often go on to MD or PhD programs.
Why become a Math major
As a math major, you have developed a skill set beyond your mathematical training that includes logic, critical thinking, and quantitative analysis of models or data. But even more, you have built up the superpower of learning how to learn hard things. This makes you competitive in an extensive range of professions.
Whether you go on from here to work in mathematics, science, engineering, software, actuarial science, business, finance, law, or medicine, you will face challenges. There will be concepts and ideas that are new to you, and these might be confusing at first. But, armed with your mathematics degree, you know how to dive in by learning definitions, reading with an eye to details, asking questions, drawing pictures or constructing examples. You understand how to start with the basics and then build up to advanced concepts. You have confidence that you can build up your mastery.
If you'd like to learn more, check out the webpage "What do Mathematicians Do?" by the American Mathematical Society.
Advising
Students who need assistance navigating into their mathematics courses or who are experiencing difficulties with their major should contact the department's Undergraduate Advisor, Ryan Oltermann.
