B.A./B.S. in Mathematics or Statistics & Data Science
On this page: Comparing the B.A. and the B.S. | The B.A. in Mathematics or SDS | The B.S. in Mathematics or SDS | Double Degrees | Mid-Career Writing Assessment (MCWA)
The information and requirements given here apply to the 2023–2024 catalog. For other catalog years, please consult the archive.
Upon declaring a major in mathematics or statistics & data science, students must select a degree in which the major will appear. We offer your choice of a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
These degrees have many common requirements, including minimum units, English composition, and many of the general education courses. There are some differences, however.
Below, you can find the requirements specific to the two degrees. For requirements specific to each major, regardless of degree, see:
Our major checklists also provide a good overview of the requirements for the degree/major of your choice.
Comparing the B.A. and the B.S.
As far as the mathematics or statistics coursework is concerned, the B.A. and B.S. are identical.
The requirements for the two degrees differ only in the following ways:
- Second language requirement (details below).
- Science/application course requirements (details below).
The B.A. in Mathematics or SDS
**Note: These requirements changed significantly in Spring 2022 to coincide with a new General Education program. If you entered the university in 2021 or earlier, see here for your B.A. degree requirements.**
- Language Requirement: Students must demonstrate fourth semester proficiency in a second language.
- The degree is not science-intensive. Students need to complete only the Exploring Perspectives: Natural Scientist course, as specified in the University General Education requirements.
The B.S. in Mathematics or SDS
**Note: These requirements changed significantly in Spring 2022 to coincide with a new General Education program. If you entered the university in 2021 or earlier, see here for your B.S. degree requirements.**
- Language Requirement: Students must demonstrate second semester proficiency in a second language.
- Laboratory Science Courses Requirement: The degree is science-intensive and requires two of the following laboratory science courses:
- First-semester courses (no prerequisites other than mathematics): PHYS 141 , PHYS 161H, CHEM 151, CHEM 141 & (CHEM 143 or CHEM 145)(*), CHEM 161 & CHEM 163(*), CHEM 181, MCB 181R & MCB 181L(*), PSIO 201, GEOS 251
- Courses that require one or more science prerequisites: PHYS 142, PHYS 241, PHYS 162H, PHYS 261H, CHEM 152, CHEM 142 & (CHEM 144 or CHEM 146)(*), CHEM 162 & CHEM 164(*), CHEM 182 (not in catalog yet),ECOL 182R & ECOL 182L(*), PSIO 202, GEOS 255, GEOS 302, GEOS 304, GEOS 308, GEOS 322
(*) Lecture and lab must both be taken to constitute one lab science course.
- Application Courses Requirement: (This requirement applies only to the Math major, except the Mathematics Education emphasis. For SDS majors, this requirement has been replaced with an SQL/Data Management course.) Students must complete at least three units of coursework that applies advanced mathematics to other academic fields. These courses must have a pre- or co-requisite of at least Calculus I (MATH 122B or higher). Up to 3 units of MATH 493 internship credit may apply to application course requirements.
Note: B.S. students may satisfy both the Application Course Requirement and one of the Laboratory Science Courses by completing one of the Physics courses.
Choose from the following:
| Agric & Biosystems Eng | BE 201, BE 284, BE 428, BE 481A; |
| Agric & Resource Economics | AREC 304, AREC 464, AREC 479; |
| Astronomy | ASTR 250; |
| Atmospheric Sciences | ATMO 430, ATMO 436A, ATMO 469A, ATMO 469B; |
| Biochemistry | BIOC 462A, BIOC 462B, BIOC 466 |
| Biomedical Engineering | BME 214, BME 481B; |
| Civil Engineering | CE 214; |
| Chemical & Environmental Engr | CHEE 201, CHEE 202, CHEE 297, CHEE 481A, CHEE 481B; |
| Chemistry | CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 325, CHEM 404A, CHEM 480A, CHEM 480B, CHEM 481; |
| Computer Science | CSC 345, CSC 355, CSC 422, CSC 433, CSC 436, CSC 437, CSC 444, CSC 445, CSC 453, CSC 460, CSC 477, CSC 483; |
| Computer Science UA South | CSCV 345; |
| Ecology & Evolutionary Biology | ECOL 302, ECOL 447, ECOL 496N (ECOL 496N not offered recently); |
| Economics | ECON 332,ECON 361; |
| Engineering | ENGR 211C, ENGR 211E, ENGR 211P; |
| Environmental Science | ENVS 420, ENVS 470, ENVS 479; |
| Geography & Development | GEOG 463; |
| Geosciences | GEOS 322, GEOS 356, GEOS 419, GEOS 432, GEOS 434A, GEOS 440, GEOS 469, GEOS 479; |
| Hydrology and Water Resources | HWRS 349A, HWRS 421(HWRS 421 not offered recently), HWRS 431, HWRS 460A; |
| Information Sci, Tech & Arts | ISTA 421, ISTA 450; |
| Molecular & Cellular Biology | MCB 480; |
| Materials Science & Engr | MSE 222, MSE 345, MSE 404, MSE 415; |
| Mathematics | MATH 493; |
| Optical Sciences | OPTI 201R, OPTI 303, OPTI 495B; |
| Physics | PHYS 140, PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 143*, PHYS 161H, PHYS 162H, PHYS 240, PHYS 241,PHYS 261H; *Note: PHYS 143 is only 2 units; 6 units are required. |
| Physiology | PSIO 303, PSIO 305, PSIO 472; |
| Planetary Sciences | PTYS 407; |
| Retailing & Consumer Science | RCSC 216; |
| Systems & Industrial Engr | SIE 250, SIE 265; |
| Wildlife & Fisheries Science | WFSC 444, WFSC 445; |
| Watershed Management | WSM 460A; |
| or courses approved by your academic advisor. | |
Double Degrees
Students pursuing a second major that has a degree title different from that of the first major are technically double degree students. Additional requirements may apply to double degree students that do not pertain to double major students (students with two majors that have exactly the same degree title). See an advisor for details.
Mid-Career Writing Assessment (MCWA)
Every undergraduate degree program at the University of Arizona requires satisfaction of the MCWA. a grade of A or B in ENGL 102, ENGL 108 (for ESL students), or ENGL 109H (for qualified students) will satisfy the requirement. If you earn less than a B in your second-semester composition course, you have several options for completing the MCWA. You may:
- repeat your second-semester English course (with GRO, if eligible) and earn at least a B, or
- complete ENGL 307, 308, or 313 with a grade of at least D.