Applied and Computational Mathematics
B.S. Department of Mathematics · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Department offers a B.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics. Within this program there are four tracks; besides the standard track, there is one specialization (in Mathematical Biology) and two concentrations (in Mathematical Finance and Data Science). In addition, the Department offers a B.S. in Mathematics (which focuses more on topics in pure mathematics) and minors in Mathematics and Mathematics for Biology.
Undergraduate mathematics courses are of several kinds: courses preparatory to advanced work in mathematics, the exact sciences, and engineering; courses for students of the social and biological sciences; and courses for liberal arts students and those planning to enter the teaching field.
Admission
Students may be admitted to the Applied and Computational Mathematics major upon entering the University as freshmen, via change of major, or as transfer students from other colleges and universities. Information about change of major policies is available in the Physical Sciences Student Affairs Office and at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. For transfer student admission, preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the required coursework of one year of approved calculus. Additional course work in multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations is strongly recommended.
Requirements
All students must meet the University Requirements. School Requirements: None.
Core Requirements for all Applied and Computational Mathematics Majors
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete the following: | ||
| MATH 2A & MATH 2B | Single-Variable Calculus Iand Single-Variable Calculus II | |
| MATH 2D | Multivariable Calculus I | |
| MATH 2E | Multivariable Calculus II | |
| MATH 3A | Introduction to Linear Algebra | |
| MATH 3D | Elementary Differential Equations | |
| MATH 9 | Introduction to Programming for Numerical Analysis | |
| MATH 13 | Introduction to Abstract Mathematics | |
| Upper-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete the following: | ||
| MATH 105A & MATH 105LA | Numerical Analysis Iand Numerical Analysis Laboratory | |
| MATH 105B & MATH 105LB | Numerical Analysis IIand Numerical Analysis Laboratory | |
| MATH 121A & MATH 121B | Linear Algebra Iand Linear Algebra II | |
| MATH 130A | Probability I | |
| MATH 140A & MATH 140B | Elementary Analysis Iand Elementary Analysis II | |
Requirements for the Applied and Computational Mathematics Major
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements for all Applied and Computational Mathematics majors plus: | ||
| Lower-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Select three lower-division courses from the following: | ||
| BIO SCI 93 | From DNA to Organisms | |
| BIO SCI 94 | From Organisms to Ecosystems | |
| BIO SCI 97 | Genetics | |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry | |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry | |
| CHEM 1C | General Chemistry | |
| MATH 10 | Introduction to Programming for Data Science | |
| PHYSICS 7C | Classical Physics | |
| PHYSICS 7D | Classical Physics | |
| PHYSICS 7E | Classical Physics | |
| STATS 7 | Basic Statistics | |
| Upper-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete: | ||
| MATH 112A & MATH 112B | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications Iand Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications II | |
| MATH 115 | Mathematical Modeling | |
| B. Select three additional upper-division MATH courses from the following: | ||
| MATH 107 & MATH 107L | Numerical Differential Equationsand Numerical Differential Equations Laboratory | |
| MATH 110A | Optimization I | |
| MATH 110B | Optimization II | |
| MATH 112C | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications III | |
| MATH 113A | Mathematical Modeling in Biology I | |
| MATH 113B | Mathematical Modeling in Biology II | |
| MATH 117 | Dynamical Systems | |
| MATH 118 | The Theory of Differential Equations | |
| MATH 120A | Introduction to Abstract Algebra: Groups | |
| MATH 130B | Probability II | |
| MATH 130C | Stochastic Processes | |
| MATH 134A | Fixed Income | |
| MATH 134B | Mathematics of Financial Derivatives | |
| MATH 140C | Analysis in Several Variables | |
| MATH 147 | Complex Analysis | |
| MATH 176 | Mathematics of Finance | |
| MATH 178 | Mathematical Machine Learning | |
| C. Select two 4-unit upper-division courses in an area outside of mathematics from the below list or obtain advanced approval from an Applied and Computational Mathematics advisor for courses outside of this list: | ||
| COMPSCI 122A | Introduction to Data Management | |
| COMPSCI 161 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | |
| COMPSCI 171 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
| COMPSCI 172B | Neural Networks and Deep Learning | |
| COMPSCI 178 | Machine Learning and Data-Mining | |
| COMPSCI 183 | Introduction to Computational Biology | |
| ECON 100A | Intermediate Economics I | |
| ECON 105A | Intermediate Quantitative Economics I | |
| ECON 105B | Intermediate Quantitative Economics II | |
| MGMT 101 | Management Science | |
| MGMT 105 | Introduction to Marketing | |
| MGMT 107 | Introduction to Management Information Systems | |
| PHILOS 104 | Introduction to Logic | |
| PHILOS 105A | Introduction to Set Theory and Mathematical Reasoning | |
| PHILOS 105B | Metalogic | |
| PHYSICS 100 | Computational Methods | |
| PHYSICS 111A | Classical Mechanics | |
| PHYSICS 111B | Classical Mechanics | |
| PHYSICS 116 | Relativity and Black Holes | |
| PHYSICS 125A | Mathematical Physics | |
| PHYSICS 125B | Mathematical Physics | |
| STATS 110 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis I | |
| STATS 111 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis II | |
| STATS 112 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis III | |
| STATS 120B | Introduction to Probability and Statistics II | |
The Applied and Computational Mathematics major offers two concentrations and one specialization. Note that all require the completion of an application and an interview with the faculty advisor for that concentration or specialization. Admission into a concentration or specialization is not guaranteed. Students must complete the basic "Core" requirements for the B.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics along with the lower- and upper-division requirements specified for each concentration and specialization. Students choosing to specialize or concentrate can only do so with a single specialization/concentration.
Requirements for Applied and Computational Mathematics Major with a Concentration in Data Science
Admission to this concentration requires approval in advance by the Mathematics Department. Students need a GPA of 3.0 in all lower-division and upper-division MATH courses to be admitted to the concentration. Before applying, students should have finished all lower-division requirements for the Data Science concentration. The admissions process begins with completing a Data Science concentration advising form and includes an interview with the Department's advisor for the concentration. This approval should be applied for no later than the end of the junior year.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements for all Applied and Computational Mathematics majors plus: | ||
| Lower-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete: | ||
| MATH 10 | Introduction to Programming for Data Science | |
| STATS 7 | Basic Statistics | |
| PHYSICS 7C | Classical Physics | |
| Upper-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete: | ||
| MATH 110A & MATH 110B | Optimization Iand Optimization II | |
| MATH 130B | Probability II | |
| B. Complete five electives from the list below, with at least one course outside of MATH. Other options may be chosen in consultation with the Data Science concentration advisor | ||
| MATH 115 | Mathematical Modeling | |
| MATH 117 | Dynamical Systems | |
| MATH 118 | The Theory of Differential Equations | |
| MATH 120B | Introduction to Abstract Algebra: Rings and Fields | |
| MATH 130C | Stochastic Processes | |
| MATH 134A | Fixed Income | |
| MATH 134B | Mathematics of Financial Derivatives | |
| MATH 140C | Analysis in Several Variables | |
| MATH 147 | Complex Analysis | |
| MATH 162A | Introduction to Differential Geometry I | |
| MATH 162B | Introduction to Differential Geometry II | |
| MATH 173A | Introduction to Cryptology I | |
| MATH 173B | Introduction to Cryptology II | |
| MATH 175 | Combinatorics | |
| MATH 176 | Mathematics of Finance | |
| MATH 178 | Mathematical Machine Learning | |
| STATS 110 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis I | |
| STATS 111 | Statistical Methods for Data Analysis II | |
| COMPSCI 171 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
| COMPSCI 172B | Neural Networks and Deep Learning | |
| COMPSCI 177 | Applications of Probability in Computer Science | |
| COMPSCI 178 | Machine Learning and Data-Mining | |
| COMPSCI 179 | Algorithms for Probabilistic and Deterministic Graphical Models | |
| COMPSCI 183 | Introduction to Computational Biology | |
| COMPSCI 184A | Artificial Intelligence in Biology and Medicine | |
| COMPSCI 184C | Computational Systems Biology | |
Requirements for Applied and Computational Mathematics Major with a Concentration in Mathematical Finance and Actuarial Science
Admission to this concentration requires approval in advance by the Mathematical Finance and Actuarial Science advisor. Students need a GPA of 3.0 in lower-division and upper-division mathematics courses to be admitted to the concentration. The department may limit the number of students admitted into this concentration during impacted years. The admissions process begins with completing a form and submitting it to the Mathematical Finance and Actuarial Science advisor, followed by an interview. This approval should be applied for after the student has completed ECON 20A-ECON 20B, but no later than the end of the junior year.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements for all Applied and Computational Mathematics majors plus: | ||
| Lower-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete: | ||
| MATH 10 | Introduction to Programming for Data Science | |
| STATS 7 | Basic Statistics | |
| PHYSICS 7C | Classical Physics | |
| ECON 20A & ECON 20B | Basic Economics Iand Basic Economics II | |
| Upper-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete the following upper-division MATH courses: | ||
| MATH 130B | Probability II | |
| MATH 130C | Stochastic Processes | |
| MATH 134A | Fixed Income | |
| MATH 134B | Mathematics of Financial Derivatives | |
| MATH 134C | Mathematical Models for Finance | |
| MATH 176 | Mathematics of Finance | |
| B. Complete the following six required upper-division ECON courses: | ||
| ECON 105A & ECON 105B & ECON 105C | Intermediate Quantitative Economics I and Intermediate Quantitative Economics II and Intermediate Quantitative Economics III | |
| ECON 122A | Applied Econometrics I | |
| orECON 123A | Econometrics I | |
| ECON 132A | Introduction to Financial Investments | |
| ECON 134A | Corporate Finance | |
| orECON 161A | Money and Banking | |
Requirements for Applied and Computational Mathematics Major with a Specialization in Mathematical Biology
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements for all Applied and Computational Mathematics majors plus: | ||
| Lower-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete: | ||
| BIO SCI 93 | From DNA to Organisms | |
| BIO SCI 94 | From Organisms to Ecosystems | |
| MATH 10 | Introduction to Programming for Data Science | |
| Upper-Division Requirements: | ||
| A. Complete the following upper-division MATH courses: | ||
| MATH 112A & MATH 112B | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications Iand Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications II | |
| MATH 113A & MATH 113B | Mathematical Modeling in Biology Iand Mathematical Modeling in Biology II | |
| MATH 115 | Mathematical Modeling | |
| B. Complete three elective courses, at least two MATH courses numbered 100-189. The third elective may be either a MATH course numbered 100-189 or a 4-unit upper-division Biological Sciences courses with advanced approval by the Mathematical Biology advisor. | ||
Sample Programs
Sample Program - Applied and Computational Mathematics
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | MATH 2D |
| General Education/Elective | MATH 13 | PHYSICS 7D or CHEM 1B |
| General Education/Elective | PHYSICS 7C or CHEM 1A | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2E | MATH 3A | MATH 3D |
| PHYSICS 7E or CHEM 1C | MATH 9 | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 105A& MATH 105LA | MATH 105B& MATH 105LB | MATH 121B |
| MATH 130A | MATH 121A | Upper-Division Math Elective |
| General Education/Elective | Upper-Division Math Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 112A | MATH 112B | MATH 115 |
| MATH 140A | MATH 140B | Non-Math Elective |
| Upper-Division Math Elective | Non-Math Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Sample Program - Applied and Computational Mathematics Major Concentrating in Data Science
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | MATH 3A |
| STATS 7 | PHYSICS 7C | MATH 9 |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2D | MATH 2E | MATH 3D |
| MATH 13 | MATH 10 | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 105A& MATH 105LA | MATH 105B& MATH 105LB | MATH 121B |
| MATH 130A | MATH 121A | Upper-Division Math Elective |
| General Education/Elective | MATH 130B | Upper-Division Math Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 140A | MATH 110A | MATH 110B |
| Non-Math Elective | MATH 140B | Upper-Division Math Elective |
| General Education/Elective | Upper-Division Math Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Sample Program - Applied and Computational Mathematics Major Concentrating in Mathematical Finance
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | MATH 2D |
| STATS 7 | MATH 9 | MATH 10 |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2E | MATH 3A | MATH 3D |
| ECON 20A | ECON 20B | MATH 13 |
| PHYSICS 7C | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 130A | MATH 130B | MATH 130C |
| MATH 121A | MATH 121B | MATH 134A |
| ECON 105A | ECON 105B | ECON 105C |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 105A& MATH 105LA | MATH 105B& MATH 105LB | MATH 134C |
| ECON 134A | MATH 140A | MATH 140B |
| ECON 132A | MATH 134B | ECON 122A |
| General Education/Elective | MATH 176 | General Education/Elective |
Sample Program - Applied and Computational Mathematics Major Specializing in Mathematical Biology
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | MATH 2D |
| BIO SCI 93 | BIO SCI 94 | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2E | MATH 3A | MATH 3D |
| MATH 9 | MATH 10 | MATH 13 |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 113A | MATH 113B | MATH 130A |
| MATH 105A& MATH 105LA | MATH 105B& MATH 105LB | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 112A | MATH 112B | MATH 115 |
| MATH 121A | MATH 121B | MATH 140B |
| Upper-Division Bio Sci Elective | MATH 140A | Upper-Division Math Elective |
| General Education/Elective | Upper-Division Math Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective |
Honors
The Honors Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics is designed for students contemplating graduate work in applied mathematics. The program is open to junior and senior Mathematics majors who meet the minimum academic qualifications of a 3.5 GPA in Mathematics courses and a 3.2 GPA overall. It is highly recommended that students meet with the Honors Advisor by the beginning of their junior year to begin planning courses. Students should officially apply for the Honors Program no later than the fall quarter of their senior year. Recognition for completing the program is conferred upon graduation.
Participants must meet the following requirements:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Complete the requirements for the major in Applied and Computational Mathematics (in any one of its tracks) | ||
| B. Complete: | ||
| MATH 130B & MATH 130C | Probability IIand Stochastic Processes | |
| C. Complete one of the following series: | ||
| MATH H140A | Honors Introduction to Graduate Analysis I | |
| MATH H140B | Honors Introduction to Graduate Analysis II | |
| MATH H140C | Honors Introduction to Graduate Analysis III | |
| or | ||
| MATH 140C and MATH 134A-MATH 134B | ||
| or | ||
| MATH 140C and MATH 112A-MATH 112B | ||
| or | ||
| MATH 140C and MATH 113A-MATH 113B | ||
| or | ||
| MATH 140C and MATH 117-MATH 118 | ||
| or | ||
| MATH 140C and MATH 110A-MATH 110B | ||
| D. Complete one quarter of MATH 199 or a research project and thesis approved by the Honors Program Advisor. | ||
These requirements are in addition to the Applied and Computational Mathematics major requirements and the requirements for any specialization/concentration. MATH H140A-MATH H140B-MATH H140C may be used to satisfy upper-division electives or taken in place of MATH 140A-MATH 140B-MATH 140C and MATH 141.
NOTE: If all requirements are completed and the student's work and final GPA satisfies the program restrictions, the student will graduate with Honors in Mathematics, and this distinction is noted on the transcript.
Sample Program - Applied and Computational Mathematics Major Honors Program
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2A | MATH 2B | MATH 2D |
| STATS 7 | PHYSICS 7C | MATH 13 |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 2E | MATH 3D | MATH 10 |
| MATH 3A | MATH 9 | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 105A& MATH 105LA | MATH 105B& MATH 105LB | MATH 130C |
| MATH 130A | MATH 130B | MATH 121B |
| Upper-Division Math Elective | MATH 121A | Non-Math Elective |
| General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MATH H140A | MATH H140B | MATH H140C |
| MATH 112A | MATH 112B | MATH 115 |
| MATH 199 | Upper-Division Math Elective | Upper-Division Math Elective |
| Non-Math Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
Research in Applied and Computational Mathematics
In order to prepare for independent study/independent research, it is highly recommended that students take at least one course sequence in the field they are interested in studying. The following list contains the major mathematical disciplines and the course work suggested for completion prior to doing independent study in that field:
- Applied Mathematics: MATH 117 and MATH 118
- Algebra: MATH 120A-MATH 120B-MATH 120C
- Probability and Statistics: MATH 130A-MATH 130B-MATH 130C
- Analysis: MATH 140A-MATH 140B-MATH 140C
- Logic: MATH 150
- Geometry: MATH 162A-MATH 162B
- Number Theory: MATH 180A-MATH 180B