Advising Resources

Advising is taken very seriously in DU's College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The resources on this page will help current and prospective students to navigate MATH courses throughout their academic career.

Math Advising Document

This video will answer questions for current undergraduate math students. 

AI:Natural Requirement

This common curriculum requirement is designed to introduce students to the kind of reasoning used in mathematics and related sciences. 

The 4 credit Analytical Inquiry: Natural and Physical World (AI:Natural) requirement can be met by successfully completing 4 credits of courses with the AI:Natural attribute. The relevant courses, as of March 2025, are as follows.

MATH 1150 (Foundations Seminar)4 Credits
MATH 1200 (Calculus for Business and Social Sciences)4 Credits
MATH 1951 (Calculus I)4 Credits
MATH 2050/PHIL 2160 (Symbolic Logic)4 Credits
PHIL 2040 (Practical Logic)4 Credits
COMP 1101 (Analytical Inquiry I)4 Credits
COMP 1201 (Introduction to Computer Science I)2 Credits
COMP 1351 (Introduction to Programming I)3 Credits
COMP 1202 (Introduction to Computer Science II)2 Credits
COMP 1352 (Introduction to Programming II)3 Credits

Here you can find the up-to-date list of AI:Natural courses

Notes:

  • College Algebra, pre-calculus, trigonometry, or statistics courses cannot be applied toward the AI:Natural requirement.
  • MATH 1150 courses are topics based. Past instances include Fat Chance: Games and Probability, How Does a Computer Draw a 3D World, Heart of Mathematics, and Knot Theory.

Area-Specific Advising

Certain majors require particular MATH courses. Check the bulletin for specific requirements for your individual major. Here are some major-specific guidelines:

  • Natural Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics

    MATH 1951 (Calculus 1) is required for most majors in the Natural Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics.

  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

    MATH 1200 (Calculus for Business and Social Sciences) or MATH 1951 (Calculus 1) is required for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Business majors who receive credit for MATH 1951 do not need to take MATH 1200. 

  • Actuarial Science

    Students interested in pursuing a career in actuarial science should know that entry into this career usually requires passing one or more actuary exams. To prepare for the first actuarial exam, a student should take the following courses:

    • MATH 1951,2,3 Calculus 1, 2, & 3
    • MATH 2080 Calculus of Several Variables
    • MATH 3080 Introduction to Probability
    • MATH 3090 Mathematical Probability

    Other recommended courses include:

    • MATH 3350 Mathematics of Finance
    • Finance courses offered through Daniels College of Business
  • Mechanical Engineering

    Students majoring in math with an interest in Engineering may consider a minor in mechanical engineering. Note that this is only recommended for students with University Physics I, II, and III in their curriculum.

    Learn more about mechanical and materials engineering at DU.

  • Graduate Studies in Mathematics

    Students with an interest in graduate studies in the mathematical sciences are recommended to take as many advanced courses in foundational mathematics as their schedule will allow. These include courses such as the following:

    • MATH 3050 Set Theory
    • MATH 3060 Mathematical Logic
    • MATH 3110 Introduction to Topology
    • MATH 3151 Linear Algebra I
    • MATH 3161 Introduction to Real Analysis I (Required for the major)
    • MATH 3166 Group Theory
    • MATH 3170 Introduction to Abstract Algebra (Required for the major)
    • MATH 3260 Metric Spaces
    • MATH 3851 Functions Complex Variable

    Advanced students may be allowed to take 4000-level courses with instructor permission.

  • Teaching

    For students interested in teaching mathematics at the secondary level (7-12th grade), selecting certain courses within the mathematics major is necessary in order to acquire teaching licensure.

    The Morgridge College of Education offers a “4+1” dual degree program which awards students a bachelor’s degree in Math (in four years) and a Masters degree in Curriculum & Instruction with embedded Colorado state teaching licensure in secondary mathematics (at the end of the fifth year). Students seeking this dual degree apply in their junior year and then take 12 credit hours of specific coursework in Morgridge College of Education in their senior year while completing their bachelor’s degree. In the fifth year students complete additional graduate coursework and field experience through the Teacher Education Program. Completing the coursework for the program and a Math major requires careful academic planning. Students should speak to an Education advisor early on (in their first year or early in their second year) if they are interested.

Courses

The DU catalog of math courses lists all named courses currently offered by the Department of Mathematics. Additional specialized courses are taught occasionally. Note that not every course in the catalog is offered every year. See links below for course offerings for a given quarter.

The chart of math courses correspond to the catalog and displays all courses and their prerequisites at one glance.