Mathematics
What this major studies in college, how to prepare in high school where a source says so, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Penn State's bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in mathematics share a common core of mathematics courses, and both prepare students for graduate work in mathematics. [1]
Many of its mathematics options are designed for students who want to use mathematics in industry, commerce or government. [1]
Typical college courses
The Curriculum Guide to Majors in the Mathematical Sciences of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), developed in 2015 by the MAA's Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics, includes course reports on calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, abstract algebra, transitions to proof, and probability and stochastic processes. [2]
The mathematics B.S. requires, each with a grade of C or better, Calculus With Analytic Geometry I and II, Matrices, Calculus and Vector Analysis, Concepts of Discrete Mathematics, Concepts of Real Analysis, and Introduction to Probability Theory, among other courses. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the Penn State bachelor of science in mathematics (courses all options share), 2026–2027 bulletin. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: Penn State bulletin) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus With Analytic Geometry I and II | Required in this example program[1] | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I (MATH 140) builds the math skills needed for analyzing change and creating mathematical models, and Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (MATH 141) continues with the skills for analyzing growth and change. [3] | MATH 140 comes after earlier math courses or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination, and MATH 141 comes after MATH 140. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Limits from graphs and tables · Limits algebraically and continuity · Exponential and logarithmic models · Identities and trig equations · The derivative as a limit · The chain rule · Derivatives in context: motion and rates · The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus · Integration by substitution | |||
| Matrices | Required in this example program[1] | Matrices (MATH 220) covers solving systems of linear equations, working with matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and systems of linear differential equations. [3] | It comes after MATH 110 or MATH 140. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Matrices and matrix operations · Determinants, inverses and systems · Matrices as transformations · Solving systems by elimination · Systems of three equations | |||
| Calculus and Vector Analysis | Required in this example program[1] | Calculus and Vector Analysis (MATH 230) covers analytic geometry in three dimensions, vectors in space, partial derivatives, double and triple integrals, and integral vector calculus. [3] | It comes after MATH 141. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: The definite integral · The derivative as a limit · Volumes: disks, washers and cross-sections · Vectors: components and operations · Dot product and applications · Parametric equations | |||
| Concepts of Discrete Mathematics | Required in this example program[1] | Concepts of Discrete Mathematics (MATH 311W) introduces mathematical proofs, with elementary number theory and group theory. [3] | It comes after MATH 141. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Reasoning and conditional statements · Writing two-column and paragraph proofs · Mathematical induction · Real numbers: rational and irrational | |||
| Concepts of Real Analysis | Required in this example program[1] | Concepts of Real Analysis (MATH 312) introduces careful proofs about the real numbers, continuity, derivatives, integrals, and infinite sequences and series. [3] | It comes after MATH 141. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Limits: the idea and estimating · Continuity and the Intermediate Value Theorem · The Mean Value Theorem · Riemann sums and area · Sequences and summation notation · Arithmetic and geometric series | |||
| Introduction to Probability Theory | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to Probability Theory (STAT 414, also listed as MATH 414) presents calculus-based probability, including probability spaces, discrete and continuous random variables, transformations and expectations. [4] | It comes after MATH 230, or with MATH 232, or after MATH 231 and RM 214. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Probability rules · Conditional probability and independence · Random variables and expected value · Binomial distributions · The normal model | |||
Typical high school preparation
- Students who are interested in becoming mathematicians or statisticians should take as many math courses as possible in high school. [5]
This is general advice from the cited source, not a rule for every college. Confirm each college’s own list.
Related majors
Each card opens that major’s page. Compare the courses before you choose, and confirm each college’s own list.
Applied Mathematics
Much of applied mathematics is intimately tied to computing. [6]
Statistics
Penn State's statistics major helps prepare students interested in mathematics, computation and the quantitative side of science for careers in industry and government as statistical analysts, or for graduate training in statistics. [7]
Actuarial Science
An actuary is a business professional who uses mathematical skills to define, analyze and solve complex business and social problems. [8]
Physics
Penn State's physics major provides a sound program of technical and general education for students planning a career in physics and related fields. [9]
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Mathematicians and statisticians
Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems. [5]
Some mathematician and statistician positions are available to those with a bachelor's degree. [5]
The median annual wage for mathematicians was $126,710 in May 2025. [5]
Overall employment of mathematicians and statisticians is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [5]
Mathematicians and statisticians typically need at least a master's degree in mathematics or statistics. [5]
Operations research analysts
Operations research analysts use mathematics and logic to help solve complex issues. [10]
The median annual wage for operations research analysts was $88,940 in May 2025. [10]
Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [10]
Operations research analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation, and some employers require or prefer a master's degree. [10]
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What can you do with a math degree?
Some mathematician and statistician positions are available to those with a bachelor's degree. [5]
Operations research analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation, and some employers require or prefer a master's degree. [10]
What classes do math majors take?
The mathematics B.S. requires, each with a grade of C or better, Calculus With Analytic Geometry I and II, Matrices, Calculus and Vector Analysis, Concepts of Discrete Mathematics, Concepts of Real Analysis, and Introduction to Probability Theory, among other courses. [1]
The Curriculum Guide to Majors in the Mathematical Sciences of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), developed in 2015 by the MAA's Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics, includes course reports on calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, abstract algebra, transitions to proof, and probability and stochastic processes. [2]
Your next step
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Sources
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mathematics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/mathematics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Curriculum Guide to Majors in the Mathematical Sciences (CUPM). https://maa.org/resource/cupm-guide/. developed in 2015 by the MAA Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mathematics (MATH) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/math/. University Bulletins, 2026–27 edition. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Statistics (STAT) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/stat/. current University Bulletins (the BMB, BIOL and NUTR course pages show the 2026–27 edition). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians and Statisticians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). SIAM Education Committee Report on Undergraduate Degree Programs in Applied Mathematics. https://www.siam.org/media/uhxkshs4/undergraduate_degree_programs_math.pdf. May 2014. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Statistics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/statistics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Actuarial Science, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/smeal-business/actuarial-science-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Physics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/physics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Operations Research Analysts. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.