Some areas of interest
The appropriate choice of courses beyond those required for your math or stat major depends on your interests and plans for the future. Here, we provide recommendations of courses in mathematics and statistics and supplementary courses in other departments for a few areas of special interest. The section at the bottom of this page provides suggestions for students interested in pursuing graduate studies after Carleton. Be sure to consult with a mathematics or statistics faculty member in planning your major. Also note that many of the course suggestions below have prerequisites (e.g. calculus, linear algebra, math or structures) that are not listed.
An asterisk (*) indicates that the course is often offered in alternate years.
Actuarial Science
- First priority: MATH 240 Probability, STAT 230 Applied Regression Analysis, STAT 250 Introduction to Statistical Inference, STAT 285 Statistical Consulting
- Second priority: CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science, STAT 320 Time Series Analysis*, STAT 330 Advanced Statistical Modeling*
- Supplementary: ECON 110 Principles of Macroeconomics, ECON 111 Principles of Microeconomics, ECON 282 The Theory of Investment Finance, additional courses in CS and ECON
- If you aren’t a statistics or mathematics major, you should also complete MATH 232 Linear Algebra
Applied Mathematics
- First priority: MATH 240 Probability, MATH 241 Ordinary Differential Equations, MATH 271 Computational Mathematics, MATH 341 Partial Differential Equations
- Second priority: CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science, CS 362 Computational Biology, MATH 251 Chaotic Dynamics*, MATH 321 Real Analysis I, MATH 342 Abstract Algebra, MATH 344 Differential Geometry*, PHYS 234 Computer Simulations in Complex Physical Systems, STAT 230 Applied Regression Analysis, STAT 250 Introduction to Statistical Inference
- Supplementary: Courses in your field of application (e.g. Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, SOAN, Political Science, etc.)
- Engineering: See the 3-2 Engineering website
Data Science
- First priority: CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science, CS 201 Data Structures, CS 320 Machine Learning, MATH 240 Probability, STAT 220 Introduction to Data Science, STAT 230 Applied Regression Analysis, STAT 250 Introduction to Statistical Inference
- Second priority: MATH 271 Computational Mathematics, additional courses in STAT or CS
- Supplementary: Courses in your field of application
- If you aren’t a statistics or mathematics major, you should also consider completing MATH 232 Linear Algebra
High School Teaching
- First priority: MATH 240 Probability, MATH 244 Geometries*, MATH 282 Elementary Theory of Numbers*, MATH 349 Methods of Teaching Mathematics*, STAT 250 Introduction to Statistical Inference
- Second priority: CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science, MATH 241 Ordinary Differential Equations, MATH 321 Real Analysis I, MATH 333 Combinatorial Theory*, MATH 342 Abstract Algebra
- Supplementary: please refer to the Educational Studies website
Operations Research
- First priority: CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science, CS 201 Data Structures, CS 252 Algorithms, MATH 240 Probability, MATH 241 Ordinary Differential Equations, MATH 271 Computational Mathematics, STAT 250 Introduction to Statistical Inference
- Second priority: MATH 332 Advanced Linear Algebra*, MATH 333 Combinatorial Theory*, MATH 341 Partial Differential Equations, MATH 342 Abstract Algebra, STAT 230 Applied Regression Analysis
- Supplementary: ECON 110 Principles of Macroeconomics, ECON 111 Principles of Microeconomics
The suggestions below are designed for individuals interested in pursuing graduate studies in areas of mathematics and statistics. Be sure to consult with your math or stat advisor if you may pursue graduate studies.
Graduate Study in Applied Mathematics
- First priority: MATH 240 Probability, MATH 241 Ordinary Differential Equations, MATH 271 Computational Mathematics, MATH 321 Real Analysis I, MATH 341 Partial Differential Equations, MATH 361 Complex Analysis
- Second priority: CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science, CS 362 Computational Biology, MATH 251 Chaotic Dynamics*, MATH 331 Real Analysis II, MATH 342 Abstract Algebra, MATH 344 Differential Geometry*, PHYS 234 Computer Simulations in Complex Physical Systems, STAT 230 Applied Regression Analysis, STAT 250 Introduction to Statistical Inference
- Supplementary: Courses in your field of application (e.g. Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, SOAN, Political Science, etc.)
Graduate Study in Mathematics
- First priority: MATH 321 Real Analysis I, MATH 342 Abstract Algebra, MATH 354 Topology*, MATH 361 Complex Analysis
- Second priority: MATH 331 Real Analysis II, MATH 332 Advanced Linear Algebra*, MATH 333 Combinatorial Theory*, MATH 344 Differential Geometry*, MATH 352 Topics in Abstract Algebra
- Supplementary: MATH 240 Probability, MATH 241 Ordinary Differential Equations, MATH 282 Elementary Theory of Numbers, MATH 341 Partial Differential Equations, STAT 250 Introduction to Statistical Inference, CS 252 Algorithms, CS 254 Computability and Complexity, PHYS 231 Analytical and Computational Mechanics
Graduate Study in Statistics or Biostatistics
- First priority: Supporting and Required Core courses for the Statistics major plus at least two additional 300-level STAT course
- Second priority: MATH 236 Mathematical Structures, MATH 271 Computational Mathematics, MATH 321 Real Analysis I (Statistics), other STAT courses
- Supplementary: Courses in Biology (Biostatistics), CS or in your field of application