Our department has majors in both Mathematics and Statistics, as well as a minor in Mathematics and a brand new minor in Statistics and Data Science. With a faculty including 11 mathematicians, 5 statisticians and 2-3 visiting faculty, we are able to offer a wide variety of courses in both subjects each term.
Our regular course offerings in Mathematics go beyond what you might expect from an undergraduate program, both in depth (we have courses like Galois Theory and Real Analysis II) and in breadth (we have courses like Computational Mathematics and Differential Geometry). Every year we have special mathematics seminars on topics like Mathematics of Climate, Mathematics and Democracy, Cryptography, and Analytic Number Theory.
Our course offerings in Statistics also feature significant breadth and depth, with regular offerings at the introductory level in both Statistics and Data Science, more advanced courses in Statistical Inference and Probability, and electives such as Time Series, Spatial Statistics, and Bayesian Statistics. We also offer a course in Statistical Consulting, where students collaborate with community partners on Statistics and Data Science projects.
Outside the classroom, students enjoy our vibrant colloquium series and each year several of our majors study off campus in Hungary in the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program. We also have a variety of opportunities to engage in problem solving, math modeling, data analytics, and summer research.
Our department is actively committed to building and sustaining a community in which everyone feels welcome, especially people from groups who have historically been underserved by the mathematics and statistics world. Faculty members individually mentor all majors within the department, welcoming them into the mathematics and statistics community both locally and nationally and helping them find their place in it. We have two student-led groups, GeMMS (a community to support gender minorities in math and stats) and Integration BIPOC (a community to support math and stats students who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color) that help to foster a sense of belonging within our department.
Info for First-Year Students
Can I Major in Math or Stats?
Yes! Our department offers Mathematics and Statistics majors, as well as a minor in Mathematics and Statistics and Data Science.
How to get started in mathematics
The first math course that Carleton students take is usually a calculus course. Please see our Calculus/Statistics Placement page to determine which course is the correct starting point for you.
- Math 101: Calculus with Problem Solving. This course provides an introduction to the derivative and the integral. It is designed for students with little or no previous exposure to calculus who may benefit from extra review of pre-calculus topics. Meetings are five days a week for this extra review. After completion of Math 101, students may take Math 120.
- Math 111: Introduction to Calculus. This course provides an introduction to the derivative and the integral. It is designed for students with little or no previous exposure to calculus but who have a solid background in pre-calculus topics. Upon successful completion of Math 111, students may take Math 120.
- Math 120: Calculus 2. This course covers selected topics in integration and multivariable calculus, including integration by parts, improper integrals, differential equations, vectors, directional derivatives, double integrals, and Lagrange multipliers. It is strongly recommended for natural science majors. Upon completion of Math 120, students may take Math 210 (Calculus 3), Math 232 (Linear Algebra) or Math 240 (Probability).
- Math 134: Linear Algebra with Applications. An introduction to linear algebra, focusing on applications throughout science and technology. Strongly recommended for natural science majors. Topics include eigenvectors, eigenvalues, determinants, computational techniques, and modeling. Math 134 fulfills the same curricular requirements as Math 232, and students cannot complete both.
Math 210: Calculus 3. This course continues Math 120, covering topics in multivariable calculus including triple integrals, cylindrical and spherical coordinates, line integrals, Green’s theorem, sequences and series, power series, and Taylor series. It is intended only for students who have successfully completed Math 120. Upon successful completion of Math 210, students may take Math 232 (Linear Algebra) or Math 240 (Probability). - Math 211: Introduction to Multivariable Calculus. This course covers multivariable calculus including vectors, directional derivatives, Lagrange multipliers, double and triple integrals, line integrals, and Green’s Theorem. This course is the entry point for students who received an AP BC exam score of 4 or 5. Upon successful completion of Math 211, students may take Math 232 (Linear Algebra) or Math 240 (Probability).
- Math 285: Mathematics Practicum. This course is an incredible opportunity for first-year students to get a taste of what applied math research is like. All that is necessary is some experience with calculus. Students will use predictive modeling, computer simulations, visualization, and data management to analyze and provide insight into a problem coming from an external community partner. This is a 2-credit class that can be added to a typical 18-credit (3 course) load, without needing to petition for an overload.
More Mathematics courses:
- Math 232: Linear Algebra. An introduction to linear algebra. Topics include vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and determinants. Math 232 fulfills the same curricular requirements as Math 134, and students cannot complete both.
- Math 236: Mathematical Structures. An introduction to proof techniques (induction, proof by contradiction) as well as other foundational aspects of mathematics (equivalence relations, cardinality, etc.). This course serves as a prerequisite for most Mathematics courses numbered above 236, and is required if you plan to major in Mathematics. It may be also be used for the Computer Science major in place of CS 202 (Mathematics of Computer Science).
- Math 240: Probability. An introduction to discrete and continuous probability culminating in the Central Limit Theorem and Law of Large Numbers.This course is required if you plan to major in statistics.
Refer to the Course catalog for a complete description.
How to get started in statistics
There are several options for first-year students interested in statistics. There is no placement test for statistics.
- Stat 120: Introduction to Statistics. If you are curious about statistics or data science or plan to major in the natural sciences, environmental studies, economics, political science or sociology/anthropology, you should consider Stat 120. Some departments accept AP Statistics credit for their major and questions about this should be directed to the individual department.
- Math 240, Stat 250: Probability and Introduction to Statistical Inference. If you have completed Calculus through Math 120 or 211, we encourage you to consider this sequence (instead of Stat 120). These two courses are required if you plan to major in statistics.
- Stat 230: Applied Regression Analysis. If you have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics exam, consider Applied Regression Analysis. Completing this course with a C- or better will earn you 6 credits for Stat 120.
Refer to the Course catalog for a complete description.
Get Involved
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Questions?
If you have questions regarding placement in Mathematics courses, please contact the Math Placement advisor.
If you have questions about which Statistics course to take, please contact the Stat Placement advisor.
You Are Welcome Here
Our mission is to welcome all students into the study of mathematics and statistics, support them through their classes, and show them how mathematics and statistics are not only beautiful but also useful and powerful.