How to double major in Mathematics and English
This page is under construction. It is intended to show how you can graduate with a BA in Mathematics and a BA in English, in the normal four years. There are many variations of this, of course, so don’t think it is written in stone, and speak to your advisor if you would like to do something a little different; it may very well be possible to do what you want!
The BA in mathematics requires 43 credits of math and stats classes in total, and the BA in English requires at least 36 credits beyond English 101. English majors must choose one of three concentrations: Creative writing, Analytical writing (Literary/Critical writing), or Technical and Professional writing.
An example class sequence for a student choosing the Creative Writing concentration is shown below.
Mathematics and Creative Writing
First Year:
| Fall semester | Spring semester |
| MAT 126 – Calculus I (4 cr)
ENG 170 – Foundations of literary analysis (3 cr) Electives outside Mathematics and English (8 cr) |
MAT 127 – Calculus II (4 cr)
ENG 205 – An Introduction to Creative Writing (3 cr) Electives outside Mathematics and English (8 cr) |
We are supposing here that you are starting the calculus sequence in MAT 126 since this is commonly the case. But many students begin with MAT 122 Precalculus, or arrive with AP calculus credit and skip MAT 126. Such students should speak with their advisors about how to adjust the above appropriately.
Sophomore Year:
| Fall semester | Spring semester |
| MAT 228 – Calculus III (4 cr)
MAT 261 – Introduction to Abstract Mathematics (3 cr) ENG 222 – Reading poems (3 cr) ENG *** (English elective) (3 cr) Electives outside Mathematics and English (3 cr) |
MAT 262 – Linear Algebra (3 cr)
ENG 205 – An Introduction to Creative Writing (3 cr) ENG 271 – The Act of Interpretation (3 cr) Electives outside Mathematics and English (11 cr) |
The three MAT courses lsted here all have MAT 127 as the prerequisite, so can be taken in any order and there is consderable flexibility in when you take them.
Junior Year:
| Fall semester | Spring semester |
| MAT 425 – Introduction to Real Analysis I (3 cr)
MAT 4** – Math elective (3 cr) STS 434 – Introduction to Statistics (4 cr) ENG 307/8 – Writing Fiction/Poetry (3 cr) Electives outside Mathematics and English (3 cr) |
MAT 463 – Introduction to Abstract Algebra I (3 credits)
MAT 4** – Math elective (3 credits) ENG 205 – An Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits) Electives outside Mathematics and English (8 credits) |
MAT 425 and 463 are both required for the mathematics degree. Many students find them challenging, so it is a good idea (if possible) to take them in different semesters. (This is possible since we have recently started offering them both in Fall and in Spring.) If you prefer to take MAT 463 in Fall and MAT 425 in Spring then this is fine.
Senior Year:
| Fall semester | Spring semester |
| ENG 405 – Topics in Creative Writing or ENG 407 – Advanced Fiction Writing or ENG 408 – Advanced Poetry Writing(3 cr) ENG 4** – English elective (3 cr) MAT 4** – Mathematics elective (3 cr) MAT 4** – Mathematics elective (3 cr) |
MAT 401 – Capstone Seminar in Mathematics (3 cr)
MAT 4** – Mathematics elective (3 cr) ENG 4** – English elective (3 cr) ENG 4** – English elective (3 cr) Elective class (3 cr) |
MAT 401 is only offered in Spring semesters. To obtain both the BA degrees, the total number of credits shown with ENG or MAT designators must be at least the number shown. We have included some elective classes here that need not be in ENG or MAT, if you have already attained the credits requried, but they can be if you would like.