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Which degree is best for me?

Undergraduate Degree Options

The Department of Mathematics offers a wide variety of majors and a minor, each having distinct objectives.

Joint Degrees

In addition to the four degree options described below, many students pursue joint majors in mathematics and other disciplines that utilize mathematics. The most popular of these are mathematics/computer science and mathematics/physics.

General Option

This is the traditional curriculum in mathematics. It is more rigorous than the other options. It is especially good for secondary education majors and students intending to go to graduate school in mathematics, engineering, or science.

Secondary Teaching: Students seeking certification as a secondary math teacher earn a general option math major and meet additional requirements through the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. They often double major with Curriculum and Instruction 47-credit Math Major.

Applied-Computation Option

This option emphasizes the mathematics related to computer science and technology. It is designed to mesh well with a computer science major or minor provides good preparation for work in the computer industry.

Applied-Quantitative Modeling Option

This option is designed to fit well with majors in physics or engineering and matches particularly well with the electrical engineering curriculum. It is ideal as a second major for students planning to pursue graduate study in science or engineering.

Applied-Mathematical Biology Option

This option combines courses in biology and mathematics for a future in the growing fields of computational biology and bioinformatics.

Math Minor

A mathematics minor can be added to any degree program and requires just eight courses (26 credits) to complete.

You can receive a minor in mathematics along with any baccalaureate degree by completing the following program:

  • Math 170, 175 Analytic Geometry & Calculus, 8 credits.
  • Six math courses chosen from Math 275, Stat 301, and math courses numbered 303-499, 18 credits.


Physical Address:
Brink Hall 300

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive, MS 1103
Moscow, ID 83844-1103

Phone: 208-885-6742

Fax: 208-885-5843


Web: Department of Mathematics