How do I declare the Math Major (or Minor)?

I left the U of A while on academic probation and would like to be re-admitted. Do you think I will be allowed to be re-admitted?

Once a student has been disqualified or leaves while on academic probation, there are no guarantees of readmission by any academic unit at the U of A. The student may apply for consideration to return to the U of A only after earning a minimum of a 3.00 GPA with 24 academic, transferable units earned at another institution. The U of A readmission application will ask which College/Major is student applying to. Mathematics falls under the College of Science (CoS).

In summary, your first step is to earn 24 units with at least a 3.00 GPA. Only then, to be considered for readmission you will apply on-line to the U of A. The U of A/Office of Admissions will then ask the College (CoS) for its recommendation. The College (CoS) will send a letter to the student with detailed instructions to meet with the major advisor. Upon this meeting, it is the major advisor who will make a recommendation to the CoS whether or not the student should be admitted to the program. If admitted, the Math Major Advisor will state the admission terms on a Conditional Probation Academic Contract.

I want to add a Math Minor. What courses do I need and how do I add the Math Minor?

Please review the Math Minor requirements

We recommend that you meet with or e-mail your current major advisor to have the Math minor added. Your current major advisor is authorized to do this per your request. Or, e-mail Math Center Advising requesting that you would like to add math as a minor. Please be sure to include your full name and your UA Student Identification (SID) number.

If you have math transfer courses from an out-of-state college and the Math Department has not evaluated the course work, YOU must initiate the evaluation process by going through the Department of Mathematics on-line evaluation form. Allow up to two weeks for a reply.

I want to declare a Math Major. How do I do that?

Schedule an appointment with the Math Center Academic Advisor in order to declare the Math Major. At your meeting you will be asked to fill out a form for our records. Prior to your advising appointment you are required to carefully read through these FAQs. By doing this, the advising session will be much more productive. The appointment will be in the Mathematics building, room 222.

If you have math courses earned from an out-of-state college and would like to have them evaluated as UA Math courses, YOU must initiate the evaluation process. You can do this by going to the Department of Mathematics on-line form - Request Math Course Equivalency Evaluation. Allow up to two weeks for a reply.

My GPA is BELOW a 2.00 and I'd like to change my major to Math. If I'm on academic probation (or my cumulative GPA is less than a 2.00) will I be admitted to the Math Major program?

It depends on a student's 'B Deficit.' B Deficit means how many units of B must be earned in order to bring the cumulative GPA up to 2.00 while earning no grade lower than a C. Typically, we do not admit students with less than a 2.00 cumulative GPA. If the B deficit is reasonably low, we may consider admitting the student. If admitted, then a Conditional Probation Academic Contract will be administered through the Math Advising Center. A student may be disqualified from the College of Science, Math Major, if the terms outlined on the contract are not adhered to. To calculate your B Deficit, go to the A/B Deficit Calculator.

I need help with academic planning. How do I make sure that I'm on track to graduate?

What classes should I take next semester?

See your advisor! Be proactive and beat the long lines and crowds by meeting with your advisor before the Priority Registration period starts! We can help you select a schedule to keep you on track for your intended graduation date. We can also help with selecting courses from another institution, selecting summer/winter courses, and using Web Reg.

If you're an out-of-state student planning on taking classes back home during the summer, refer to the Transfer Credit Preapproval policy and make sure to discuss this with your advisor.

In addition, if you need help understanding your SAPR (refer to next question), your advisor can help you make sense of your SAPR.

Another resource to help with academic planning is a sample 4 year plan for students majoring in Mathematics.

What is a SAPR? Where and how do I get one?

SAPR stands for Student Academic Progress Report. A SAPR is an individualized report of a student's progress toward completing degree requirements. It is an automated degree audit that shows the student how their UA and transfer courses, as well as credit by exam, apply to their degree requirements in the following categories: General Education, major(s), minor(s), electives, and University unit requirements.

A SAPR may be requested online through Student Link, where you may view and print it. Students are strongly encouraged to generate a SAPR each time they meet with their faculty advisor (at least once each semester) to ensure satisfactory academic progress. It is an unofficial document used primarily as an advising tool and as a means for tracking graduation requirements. After reviewing your SAPR, if you have any questions or believe that course adjustments are needed, such as the application of any transfer courses to your academic program, please consult with your academic advisor.

Here is a detailed explanation of how to read a SAPR. Each section of the SAPR is outlined to help you understand it more clearly. After looking this over you will find that your SAPR is a very handy tool.

What is a Senior Degree Check and how do I get one? I want to be certain that I will graduate without any setbacks.

A Senior Degree Check is a final audit of all course work for your degree. It is processed to ensure that you have completed all University and degree requirements in order to graduate. It is the student's responsibility to initiate this process and in a timely manner.

After carefully reading the Senior Degree Check Process information sheet, please contact the Math Advising Center if you have any questions at all about this.

What are the Math Major Program requirements?

Are there course descriptions for the math courses?

You can view the math course descriptions and prerequisites.

The General Education Tier I and Tier II confuse me. Where can I find a simple guideline to help me understand the Gen Ed requirements?

The General Education Structure will help you to make sense of the General Education requirements.

The Degree Program Structure gives you a birds-eye view of all the requirements within the Degree. Look this over. You'll be glad you did.

What are the other requirements I need besides math courses?

All of the requirements are outlined within the Academic Program Requirement Report (APRR).

The APRR for the B.S. Degree, Mathematics Major has several components. See your advisor if you have questions about the APRR.

The APRR for the B.A. Degree, Mathematics Major has several components. See your advisor if you have questions about the APRR.

Note: Students are admitted to the UA for a particular catalog/academic year. Program requirements are subject to change. The APRR a student would follow depends on the catalog/academic year the student falls under.

What degree would I be pursuing?

You have a choice of pursuing a Bachelor of Science, B.S., or a Bachelor of Arts, B.A. Degree. It is important to know the differences between the two degrees.

What is the difference between a "double major" and a "double degree?"

If you are thinking of adding the Math Major to your current program of study it is important to know the difference between a double major and a double degree.

Double Degree: The difference between a double degree and a double major is related to the degree title. Bachelor degrees at the UA have an exact title assigned to each one. For example, two common degree titles are the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). If you choose to add a second major with a title that differs from your first major, you are in effect declaring a second degree. For example, if you are pursuing a B.S., Mathematics Major and you decide to also pursue a B.A., Economics Major, you must then follow the requirements for both degree programs. You would be pursuing a second or double degree.

Students earning a second Bachelor's degree must earn no fewer than 30 unique UA (in house) units in addition to all the requirements for the first degree. If the first degree requires 120 units, then to earn the second degree, you must have earned at least 30 additional UA unique units, to total a minimum of 150 units. Please refer to the UA policy on Second Bachelor's Degree.

"Unique UA-in house units" are units earned at the U of A which fulfill only one degree requirement. For example: units earned with Math 129 for students majoring in two degrees, one in Engineering and one in Mathematics, are not considered "unique" units because Math 129 would be a requirement for both degree programs.

Double Major: If the degree title is the same in each major, then a student is pursuing a double major. Typically, if earning a double major, then a student would not be required to declare a minor.

If a student were to declare a B.S., Mathematics Major, while pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration, would this student be a Double Major or a Double Degree? This student would be pursuing a double or second degree. The first degree title is a 'B.S.' (Bachelor of Science), whereas the second degree title is a 'B.S. in Business Administration.'

A double major or double degree can be declared through the major advisor in the respective major.

Which math courses do I take?

You can view the math courses required for the Math Major. There are seven Math Options to select from: Comprehensive, Computer Science, Economics/Business, General/Applied, Life Sciences, Probability & Statistics, and Math Teacher Education. All math majors must complete the same core courses. The required remaining math courses correlate with the math option selected. A student may select only one math option.

What should Transfer Students know when coming to the U of A?

I'm an in-state transfer student who doesn't know where to begin. What should I know and where do I begin?

Transfer students should consider taking the Pima Community College transfer strategy course, STU210, before coming to the U of A. This course is designed to teach success strategies in order to assimilate with ease to the U of A. Enrollment in STU210 allows you to register for U of A courses (once admitted) during the UA's Priority Registration period rather than having to wait until after the freshmen register. This is significant because you will be able to register along with all the other U of A students according to your classification, e.g., senior, junior, sophomore or freshman status.

Prior to transferring, STU210 students are typically assigned to meet with their UA Academic Advisor (in the selected major). A Registration Release form will be signed by the advisor during the meeting. The student is to return the signed form to their STU210 instructor and the instructor then submits the form to UA Office of Student Orientation. This UA office will remove the student's orientation hold, hence allowing the student to register during Priority Registration.

For non STU210 students, shortly after being admitted to the U of A you will receive a student ID and PIN (personal identification) number. In addition, you will be instructed to complete an on-line academic tour. It is critical that you carefully read through the information provided within the on-line academic tour. Upon completion, you will be instructed to print or e-mail the last page and provide this to the major advisor (the major you're applying to). As you meet with your major advisor and show proof you have completed the on-line academic tour (this last page IS your proof), the advisor then signs a form (Registration Release), authorizing the advising/orientation hold be removed in order to register for your classes. An immunization hold will also prevent new transfer students to register. In order to have the immunization hold lifted, your immunization records must be received by U of A Campus Health. More information on this subject will be sent to you once you are officially admitted.

All new transfer students need to schedule their advising appointment with the Math Center Academic Advisor through the on-line scheduling system. Your first (initial) advising appointment will be the longest. Allow 40-45 minutes of time since the is a lot of information to cover at this initial meeting.

Another on-line resource which in-state transfer students should reference is the Course Equivalency Guide. This easily identifies how transfer courses will equate to U of A courses.

I'm an out-of-state transfer student. Will my transfer math courses be applied to the required courses for the Math Major at the U of A?

In order to have your math courses evaluated you must go through the Department of Mathematics on-line evaluation form. The turn-around time, in most cases, to receive feedback is within 2 weeks.

Which Registration Dates/Deadlines and U of A policies could impact me?

Can I take the course I failed over again and have the first grade replaced? I've heard students talk about GRO; what does that mean?

GRO stands for Grade Replacement Opportunity. Please read the information carefully and if you have questions about this policy then make sure to check in with your academic advisor for clarification. As with several U of A policies, make sure to know the deadline. There is a deadline for the GRO process.

How do I drop a class?

It depends on when you are dropping it. Generally, if you want to drop a course before the 4th week of class, you can go onto Web Reg and drop it. The course will not show up on your record. If it is between the 4th and 8th week, you will need a Change of Schedule (aka Drop/Add) form and the instructor's signature. During this period, if you are passing the course, the grade "W" will be awarded. A grade of "W" has no effect on GPA. However, if you are failing the course and decide to drop it between the 4th and 8th weeks, then a grade of "E" may be awarded, which will impact your GPA. If it is past the 8th week, it is nearly impossible to drop a course; you will need to have the Dean's approval in addition to the instructor's signature, and that is only granted for students with extenuating circumstances.

If I am already on Academic Probation, what could happen to me this semester if I don't do well?

There are three possible outcomes this semester for you, depending on your grades.

1. You meet your B deficit and get off of academic probation.
2. Your GPA this semester is above a 2.000, but your cumulative GPA remains below a 2.000. You will remain on academic probation, but will be allowed to continue taking courses at the U of A due to the progress that you are making to improve your GPA.
3. This semester's GPA (and consequently, your cumulative GPA) is below a 2.000. You will be disqualified from the College of Science and very likely from the U of A.

What does it mean if I've been put on Academic Probation?

The U of A defines academic probation as not meeting the standards of normal progress. That standard is a 2.000 GPA overall. Students who have a cumulative GPA of less than a 2.000 are placed on academic probation. Please review the U of A policy on academic probation for more detailed information.

What other dates and deadlines should I know about and where can I find this information?

By making yourself aware of critical deadline dates you're on the path to success. Remember, when in doubt, please check with your advisor. You can find registration dates and deadlines on the UA home page.

Why should I study Mathematics? How will majoring in Math help me?

Can I get involved in research while an undergraduate math major? If so, then how?

There are many ways to get involved with research and internships. We highly encourage our undergraduates to pursue such opportunities. Our URAs, Undergraduate Research Assistants, get paid while gaining valuable experience. Check out the URA program.

I want to teach math at the secondary education level. Is there a math program that will prepare me to teach math and will I get my teaching certification through the program?

Indeed there is. You may pursue a B.A. or a B.S. Degree majoring in Mathematics. One of the seven math major options is the Math Teacher Education option. The Math Teacher Education (also known as Secondary Mathematics Education Program) information sheet outlines the program requirements. Please review this material prior to meeting with the Math Center Advisor. To add the Math Major, Math Teacher Education option, schedule an appointment.

What can I do with a degree in Mathematics?

What you should really be asking is "what can't I do with a degree in Mathematics?"

What type of career or graduate school opportunities are there for math graduates?

Undergraduate training in mathematics is an important step along many career paths.