Mathematical Sciences & Actuarial Mathematics

We suggest that all Mathematical Sciences and Actuarial Mathematics Majors take the course MA 1801 – Denksport (1/12 unit). This fun and interactive course involves problem solving sessions as well as learning about different areas of mathematics and potential career options.

Mathematical Sciences and Actuarial Mathematics majors generally start with courses in calculus, either the traditional sequence MA1021 – MA 1024, or the theoretical sequence MA 1033 and MA 1034.

To choose the calculus course that is right for you, please consider the following:

1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
2. Consider if you have AP Credit:
   Students who obtain a score of “4” or “5” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
   Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. Students who obtain BC credit for MA 1021/1022/1023 are able to receive credit for both MA 1023 and MA 1033.
3. Students who received a 6 or 7 on the IB will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and should use the math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

For those students entering with AP credit or transfer credit for the calculus sequence, we suggest courses such as Ordinary Differential Equations (MA 2051) and Linear Algebra (MA 2071).

Mathematical Sciences and Actuarial Mathematics majors need to take at least two Science courses during their time at WPI. For their second course in A term they could consider taking their first of those courses. 

Actuarial Mathematics majors should consider taking economics as one of their three courses in each of A (Econ 1110) and B (Econ 1110 or Econ 1120) terms.  Or, for Actuarial Majors who already have credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and who want to jump right in to introductory courses in their field of study, consider taking Theory of Interest I MA 2211 in A-term and Theory of Interest II MA 2212 in B-term. 

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, or Computer Science course. More information is available about these courses below. 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar is a course that is exclusively for first year students and allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. For more information click here.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
• Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
   
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
     
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
• International Student English (ISE)
• History (HI)
• International Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

Mathematical Science Majors and Actuarial Science Majors are required to take two Computer Science courses in their time at WPI. For their third course they could consider taking their first of these courses. Good options are CS 1004: Introduction to Programming for Non-Majors or CS 1101: Introduction to Programming. 

We suggest that all Mathematical Sciences and Actuarial Mathematics Majors take the course MA 1801 – Denksport (1/12 unit). This fun and interactive course involves problem solving sessions as well as learning about different areas of mathematics and potential career options.

Mathematical Sciences and Actuarial Mathematics majors generally start with courses in calculus, either the traditional sequence MA1021 – MA 1024, or the theoretical sequence MA 1033 and MA 1034.

To choose the calculus course that is right for you, please consider the following:

1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
2. Consider if you have AP Credit:
   Students who obtain a score of “4” or “5” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
   Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. Students who obtain BC credit for MA 1021/1022/1023 are able to receive credit for both MA 1023 and MA 1033.
3. Students who received a 6 or 7 on the IB will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and should use the math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

For those students entering with AP credit or transfer credit for the calculus sequence, we suggest courses such as Ordinary Differential Equations (MA 2051) and Linear Algebra (MA 2071).

Mathematical Sciences and Actuarial Mathematics majors need to take at least two Science courses during their time at WPI. For their second course in B term they could consider taking their first or second of those courses dependent upon their  A term schedule. 

Actuarial Mathematics majors should consider taking economics as one of their three courses in each of A (Econ 1110) and B (Econ 1110 or Econ 1120) terms.  Or, for Actuarial Majors who already have credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and who want to jump right in to introductory courses in their field of study, consider taking Theory of Interest I MA 2211 in A-term and Theory of Interest II MA 2212 in B-term. 

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, or Computer Science course. More information is available about these courses below. 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar is a course that is exclusively for first year students and allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. For more information click here.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
• Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
   
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
     
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
• International Student English (ISE)
• History (HI)
• International Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

Mathematical Science Majors and Actuarial Science Majors are required to take two Computer Science courses in their time at WPI. For their third course they could consider taking their first of these courses. Good options are CS 1004: Introduction to Programming for Non-Majors or CS 1101: Introduction to Programming. 

After reviewing the above recommendations, please be sure to review Registration Information below regarding searching for courses. 

Actuarial Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences majors should continue to take courses in the regular calculus sequence MA1021 – MA 1024, if not yet completed.

If the calculus sequence has been completed, there are several 2000 level course options for Mathematical Sciences majors including:

· MA 2051 – Ordinary Differential Equations

· MA 2071 – Matrices and Linear Algebra or MA 2072 – Accelerated Matrices and Linear Algebra

· MA 2201 – Discrete Mathematics (which may count as a MA course when registering for MA 2201 or as a CS course when registering as CS 2202).

· MA 2251 – Vector and Tensor Calculus

· MA 2611 – Applied Statistics I

For Actuarial Mathematics majors, the recommendations above also apply. Additionally, for those who have taken MA2211 – Theory of Interest, we suggest continuing with:

· MA3212 – Actuarial Mathematics 1

If you have specific questions or need further advice on which courses to take in the spring, please reach out to:

· Prof. Barry Posterro, posterro@wpi.edu, for any Actuarial Mathematics questions

· Prof. Sam Tripp, stripp@wpi.edu, for any Mathematical Sciences course questions

· Prof. Carly Thorp, cthorp@wpi.edu, for any Probability and Statistics course questions

For math course descriptions, please click here

Mathematics majors need to take at least two Science courses during their time at WPI. 

If you are considering actuarial math, you should consider taking ECON 1110 – Introduction to Microeconomics, ECON 1120 – Introduction to Macroeconomics, and ECON 2110 Intermediate Economics (recommended background of ECON 1110). These ECON courses are generally offered in C or D term

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, or Computer Science course. More information is available about these courses below. 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar is a course that is exclusively for first year students and allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. For more information click here.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
• Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
   
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
     
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
• International Student English (ISE)
• History (HI)
• International Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

Mathematical Science Majors and Actuarial Science Majors are required to take a total of two Computer or Data Science courses in their time at WPI. For a third course, you could consider taking CS 1004- Introduction to Programming for Non-Majors,  CS 1101- Introduction to Programming, or DS 1010- Data Science I: Introduction to Data Science. 

Actuarial Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences majors should continue to take courses in the regular calculus sequence MA1021 – MA 1024, if not yet completed.

We strongly encourage all students who did not take MA1033 to take:

· MA 1971 – Bridge to Higher Mathematics. This course introduces important mathematical ideas and builds proof writing skills

If you did take MA1033, we suggest a proof-based transition course such as:

· MA 2273 – Combinatorics

· MA 2631 – Probability Theory

If the calculus sequence has been completed, additional 2000 level course options for Mathematical Sciences majors include:

· MA 2051 – Ordinary Differential Equations

· MA 2071 – Linear Algebra

· MA 2201 – Discrete Mathematics (which may count as a MA course when registering for MA 2201 or as a CS course when registering as CS 2202).

· MA 2611 – Applied Statistics I

· MA 2612 – Applied Statistics II

For Actuarial Mathematics majors, the recommendations above also apply, but it is highly recommended that you take a Probability course (either MA2621 or MA2631) in early preparation for industry exams and for recommended background for sophomore actuarial courses.

If you have specific questions or need further advice on which courses to take in the spring, please reach out to:

· Prof. Barry Posterro, posterro@wpi.edu, for any Actuarial Mathematics questions

· Prof. Sam Tripp, stripp@wpi.edu, for any Mathematical Sciences course questions

· Prof. Carly Thorp, cthorp@wpi.edu, for any Probability and Statistics course questions

Mathematics majors need to take at least two Science courses during their time at WPI. 

If you are considering actuarial math, you should consider taking ECON 1110 – Introduction to Microeconomics, ECON 1120 – Macroeconomics, and ECON 2110 Intermediate Economics (recommended background of ECON 1110). These ECON courses are generally offered in C or D term.

Your third course should be a Humanities and Arts, or Computer Science course. More information is available about these courses below. 

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
• Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
   
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
     
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
• International Student English (ISE)
• History (HI)
• International Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

Mathematical Science Majors and Actuarial Science Majors are required to take a total of two Computer or Data Science courses in their time at WPI. For a third course, you could consider taking CS 2022 – Discrete Mathematics. If you have already taken CS 1101 or 1102, you could also consider CS 2102- Object-Oriented Design Concepts or CS 2119- Application Building with Object-Oriented Concepts.  

Once you go through the above recommendations, please be sure to review Registration Information so you know how to register on November 15th.