Howard University Mathematics Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
The Department of Mathematics at Howard University, established in 1867, offers a comprehensive range of programs leading to Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. These programs are designed to provide students with a solid foundation in mathematical theory and applications, preparing them for diverse careers in academia, industry, and government.
Undergraduate Programs
The undergraduate program in mathematics at Howard University provides students with a strong foundation in mathematical principles and prepares them for a variety of career paths. A math major at Howard may choose an area of concentration from among Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics Education, and Pre-medical/Pre-dental Studies. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, essential for success in various fields.
Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Starting in 2026, the Howard Math Department is set to begin offering a data science program, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Data Science. The data science curriculum spans foundational Mathematics and Statistics, applied computation, data management, curation and visualization, communication and ethics.
Mathematics Major Concentrations
- Pure Mathematics: This concentration is designed for students who are interested in the theoretical aspects of mathematics. It provides a strong foundation for graduate study in mathematics.
- Applied Mathematics: This concentration focuses on the application of mathematical techniques to solve real-world problems in areas such as physics, engineering, and computer science.
- Actuarial Science: A concentration in actuarial science prepares you for the foundations of actuarial practice, which involves statistically calculating risks, premiums, etc. for insurance.
- Mathematics Education: This concentration is designed for students who are interested in teaching mathematics at the secondary level.
- Pre-medical/Pre-dental Studies: This concentration is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine or dentistry.
Mathematics Requirements
The mathematics requirements for undergraduate students include a set of core courses designed to provide a strong foundation in mathematical principles. These courses include:
- MATH 103: Proof & Problem Solving (3 cr)
- MATH 156: Calculus I (4 cr)
- MATH 157: Calculus II (4 cr)
- MATH 158: Calculus III (4 cr)
- MATH 150: Modern Geometry (3 cr)
- MATH 180: Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 cr)
- MATH 181: Discrete Structures (3 cr)
- MATH 189: Probability & Statistics I (3 cr)
- MATH 195: Introduction to Analysis I (3 cr)
In addition to these core courses, students must also choose one course from the following:
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- MATH 164: Numerical Analysis (3 cr)
- MATH 184: Number Theory (3 cr)
- MATH 190: Probability & Statistics II (3 cr)
- MATH 197: Introduction to Modern Algebra I (3 cr)
Placement Examination
It is essential that every student taking a mathematics course at Howard University be placed in a course commensurate with the student's level of mathematical preparation. For this purpose, the Department of Mathematics administers a Mathematics Placement Examination each August and each January. Students planning to transfer mathematics credits from another university should also take the Mathematics Placement Examination when entering Howard University to guarantee efficient evaluation of previous mathematical work.
Graduate Programs
The mathematics graduate program offers an opportunity to do research in both pure and applied areas of mathematics. The Department of Mathematics offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in both pure and applied areas of mathematics. The graduate program page contains information on the admission requirements, core courses for the M.S. and Ph.D.
Admission Requirements
Students admitted into the graduate mathematics program must have at least a bachelor's degree and a GPA of 3.2 in their major undergraduate mathematics courses. Note: In response to COVID-19, the Graduate School has made temporary changes to the GRE requirement. For the academic year, the GRE requirement has been waived for all programs in the Graduate School. Applicants will be evaluated holistically: GPA, letters of recommendation, statement of academic interests and professional goals, and an autobiographical statement that foregrounds your research interests.
Expository Writing Requirement
Howard University mandates that all entering graduate students pass an expository writing requirement administered by their department of study, unless the student has earned a score of 5.0 or better on the GRE Analytical Writing test. The expository writing requirement must be met within the student's first year of enrollment. There are several options mathematics majors can use to satisfy the Department of Mathematics writing requirement:
- Score a 5.0 or better on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE.
- Publish an article in a professional mathematics or education journal.
- Have written a master's thesis at an accredited institution.
- Complete the McGraw-Hill Connect adaptive learning module for developing writers.
The paper must include both historical and mathematical content. Using a rubric developed by a subcommittee of the Department of Mathematics Graduate Committee, the paper will be evaluated according to analysis, language control, grammar, clarity, and logic.
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Residence Requirements
At least two semesters of full-time study or the equivalent, shall be undertaken in the Department of Mathematics within the Graduate School of Arts and Science.
Other Requirements
Graduate students shall regularly attend seminars, lecture series, and colloquia sponsored by the Department of Mathematics.
Ph.D. Degree Program
This degree program requires a minimum of 60 graduate credits beyond the B.S. degree or a minimum of 36 graduate credits beyond the M.S. degree in course work. In addition 12 graduate credits are required for the Ph.D. dissertation.
Course Requirements
The courses for the Ph.D. degree presented by a candidate must include at most one course from Group 1, all courses from Group 2, at least two courses from Group 3 and a course on topics in History of Mathematics. Additional courses to cover the areas of qualifying examinations as well as topics courses will be on subjects corresponding to the research interests of the faculty.
Core Course Groups
- Group 1
- Introduction to Analysis I (MATH-220 / MATH-195)
- Introduction to Analysis ll (MATH-221 / MATH-196)
- Introduction to Modern Algebra I (MATH-208 / MATH-197)
- Introduction to Modern Algebra ll (MATH-209 / MATH-198)
- Introduction to Complex Analysis (MATH-185)
- Introduction to Differential Geometry (MATH-186)
- Probability and Statistics (MATH-189)
- Introduction to Number Theory (MATH-184)
- Introduction to General Topology (MATH-199)
- Group 2
- Algebra I (MATH-210)
- Algebra II (MATH-211)
- Real Analysis I (MATH-222)
- Real Analysis II (MATH-223)
- Topology I (MATH-250)
- Complex Analysis I (MATH-229)
- Group 3
- NumberTheory I (MATH-214)
- Applications of Analysis (MATH-224)
- Complex Analysis II (MATH-230)
- Functional Analysis I (MATH-231)
- Algebraic Topology I (MATH-252)
- Algebraic Topology II (MATH-253)
- Differential Geometry I (MATH-259)
- Differential Geometry II (MATH-260)
- Partial Differential Equations II (MATH-237)
Admission and Examination Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
To obtain a Ph.D. degree, a student admitted to the program must:
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- Pass two qualifying examinations on subjects, not closely related to each other, chosen from two of the following six groups:
- Real Analysis or Complex Analysis or Functional Analysis or Harmonic Analysis
- Algebra or Number Theory
- Combinatorics
- Geometry or Topology
- Dynamical Systems or Ordinary Differential Equations or Partial Differential Equations
- Probability or Mathematical Statistics.
- Take a third qualifying examination in an area of the student's choice, that may include one from the above six groups.
- Write a Ph.D. dissertation and defend it satisfactorily.
Financial Support
Financial support from the university is contingent upon the student making satisfactory progress. Students in the Ph.D. degree program are expected to have successfully completed six graduate courses in the first year in the Ph.D. program and to have passed at least two of the qualifying examinations by the end of their second year in the Ph.D. program in order to obtain continuing university support.
Language Requirement
Students must exhibit proficiency in one of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian. In exceptional cases, other languages may be accepted by the Department. In lieu of a language from the above list and upon approval of the Chairman of the Department, students may take suitable graduate level courses from one of the following departments or schools: Computer Science, Sociology, Economics, Biology or Education.
Requirements for Admission to Candidacy for the Ph.D. Degree
- Candidates must have passed two of the Qualifying Examinations.
- Candidates must satisfy the language requirement and the writing skills requirement.
Other Requirements
- A minimum of 18 credits of work toward the Ph.D. degree shall be pursued after admission to candidacy.
- Doctoral candidates shall participate actively in at least two seminars during their candidacy.
- Only courses in which students earn grades of "A" or "B" may be counted toward the Ph.D. degree.
- A student in the Ph.D. A student should file for admission to candidacy after 12 hours of work has been completed and this student has satisfied the GSAS writing proficiency requirement.
Notable Alumni
Howard University's Mathematics Department has a rich history of producing accomplished mathematicians. The first Ph.D. as Professor of Mathematics at Howard University in 1890. W. Woodard, african americans to earned a Ph.D. dean). was begun in 1929, the year Cox was hired. H. Butcher, Jr. W. S. Claytor. By the time Blackwell left, in 1954, Howard's faculty for U. A. Donaldson. of the first and only Ph.D. University. Mathematician/ Physicist/ Nuclear Engineer J. was, at the time, a member of Howard's Physics Department. also helped advise the setting up of a Ph.D. the only) Ph.D. University and College. next to aid in the development of the program. seven graduates of this program. in America of African American holders of a Ph.D. had more black Ph.D. program who have gone on to earn a Ph.D. (the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. George H. William A. A (partial) list of persons to obtain a Ph.D. from Howard University. The Ph.D. advisor is after the year. Terry (1997, Neil Hindman) St. J.A. M. Observe that Howard University Professor Neil Hindman (pictured below with ex-student Jillian McLeod) has been Ph.D. Scott W.
Career Opportunities
Our doctoral program in Mathematics provides students with rigorous research training in pure and applied mathematics and statistics to solve real-life problems. As a doctoral student in Mathematics at Howard's Graduate School, you will gain a solid foundation in the mathematical formulation of real-life problems in industry, finance, education, and infectious disease modeling, to name a few areas. Our Ph.D. program in Mathematics will prepare you, like so many of our graduate alumni, to pursue a mathematics career in industry, research, government, or teaching (as a faculty in a college or university mathematics department, curriculum specialist, or mathematics teacher).
Research and Collaboration
There exists a strong scholarly relationship between Howard's Mathematics Department and Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), located in Berkeley, California, and the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI), located at the Ohio State University, a major center for interdisciplinary work involving mathematics and biology. At Howard, you'll benefit from a highly collegial atmosphere and an active seminar culture that encourages research collaboration, publication, and presentation. The Department's ongoing colloquium, graduate seminars, and distinguished speaker series will keep you connected with the mathematics community and offer a venue to present your early-stage research. In addition, the department runs a biweekly Math Club, which provides regular exposure to current advances in mathematics. You'll work alongside graduate faculty experts with research interests spanning mathematical modeling, number theory, pure and applied mathematics, discrete mathematics, matrix and operator theory, probability and statistics, topology, geometry, and algebraic combinatorics, among other areas.
Program Snapshot
- 72 credit hours
- Full-time
- On-campus format
- Degree: Ph.D.
Application Deadlines
- Spring 2026 entry: â± Nov. 15 (final deadline)
- Fall 2026 entry:
- Nov. 15* (early deadline)
- Feb. 15 (priority deadline)
- Apr. 15 (final deadline)
*For Fall 2026 entry, Nov. 15 refers to the 2025 early deadline for Fall 2026 admission. For example, prospective students applying by the early deadline for Fall 2026 entry must apply by November 15, 2025. *Eligible Ph.D. applicants who wish to be considered for the Graduate School's Competitive Assistantships must meet the early deadline for Fall 2026 entry (Nov. 15). Applicants must submit a separate application for this funding opportunity along with their application for graduate admissions by the early deadline of November 15, 2025 (the 2025 early deadline for Fall 2026 entry).
Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle.
Course Offerings
The Department of Mathematics offers a wide range of courses to cater to the diverse interests and needs of its students. Some of the courses offered include:
- MATH 005. WR College Algebra I. 4 crs.
- MATH 006. College Algebra I. 3 crs.
- MATH 007. Precalculus. 4 crs.
- MATH 009. Introduction to Statistics. 4 crs.
- MATH 010. College Algebra II. 4 crs.
- MATH 012. Patterns in Mathematics. 3 crs.
- MATH 014. Introduction to Data Science. 3 crs.
- MATH 020. Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics for Education I. 3 crs.
- MATH 021. Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics for Education II. 3 crs.
- MATH 026. Applied Calculus. 4 crs.
- MATH 084, 085. Directed Readings in Honors for Sophomores. 1 cr. ea.
- MATH 088, 089. Directed Readings in Honors for Juniors. 1 cr.
- MATH 092, 093. Senior Departmental Honors. 3 crs.
- MATH 103. Proof and Problem Solving. 3 crs.
- MATH 150. Modern Geometry. 3 crs.
- MATH 156. Calculus I. 4 crs.
- MATH 157. Calculus II. 4 crs.
- MATH 158. Calculus III. 4 crs.
- MATH 159. Differential Equations. 4 crs.
- MATH 160. Advanced Calculus for Science and Engineering. 3 crs.
- MATH 161, 162. Seminar 1-3 crs. each.
- MATH 164. Introduction to Numerical Analysis. 3 crs.
- MATH 165, 166. Directed Readings. 1-3 crs. each.
- MATH 168. Actuarial Science Laboratory I. 1 cr.
- MATH 169. Actuarial Science Laboratory II. 1 cr.
- MATH 175, 176. Undergraduate Research in Mathematics I & II. 3 crs. each.
- MATH 180. Introduction to Linear Algebra. 3 crs.
- MATH 181. Discrete Structures. 3 crs.
- MATH 183. Intermediate Differential Equations. 3 crs.
- MATH 184. Introduction to Number Theory. 3 crs.
- MATH 185. Introduction to Complex Variables. 3 crs.
- MATH 186. Introduction to Differential Geometry. 3 crs.
- MATH 187. Introduction to Algebraic Topology. 3 crs.
- MATH 189. Probability and Statistics I. 3 crs.
- MATH 190. Probability and Statistics II. 3 crs.
- MATH 191. Foundations of Applied Mathematics. 3 crs.
- MATH 192. Topics in Applied Mathematics. 3 crs.
- MATH 193. Actuarial Science Seminar. 3 crs.
- MATH 194. Introduction to Set Theory. 3 crs.
- MATH 195 or 795. Introduction to Analysis I. 3 crs.
- MATH 196. Introduction to Analysis II. 3 crs.
- MATH 197. Introduction to Modern Algebra I. 3 crs.
- MATH 198. Introduction to Modern Algebra II. 3 crs.
- MATH 199. Introduction to General Topology. 3 crs.
- MATH 795. Introduction to Analysis. Writing across the curriculum. See 195.
- MATH-204. Graduate Tutorial.
- MATH-205. Graduate Tutorial.
- MATH-208. Introduction to Modern Algebra I. 3 crs.
- MATH-209. Introduction to Modern Algebra II. 3 crs.
- MATH-210. Modern Algebra I. 3 crs.
- MATH-211. Modern Algebra ll. 3 crs.
- MATH-214. Number Theory I. 3 crs.
- MATH-215. Number Theory II. 3 crs.
- MATH-218. Mathematical Logic I. 3 crs.
- MATH-219. Mathematical Logic ll. 3 crs.
- MATH-220. Introduction to Analysis I. 3 crs.
- MATH-221. Introduction to Analysis II. 3 crs.
- MATH-222. Real Analysis I. 3 crs.
- MATH-223. Real Analysis II. 3 crs.
- MATH-224. Applications of Analysis. 3 crs.
- MATH-229. Complex Analysis I. 3 crs.
- MATH-230. Complex Analysis II. 3 crs.
- MATH-231. Functional Analysis I. 3 crs.
- MATH-232. Functional Analysis II. 3 crs.
- MATH-234. Advanced Ordinary Differential Equatlons I. 3 crs.
- MATH-235. Advanced Ordinary Differential Equations II. 3 crs.
- MATH-236. Partial Differential Equations I. 3 crs.
- MATH-237. Partial Differential Equations II. 3 crs.
- MATH-239. Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems. 3 crs.
- MATH-240. Mathematics Statistlcs I. 3 crs.
- MATH-241. Mathematical Statistics II. 3 crs.
- MATH-242. Stochastic Processes. 3 crs.
Events and Activities
The Howard mathematics department is very excited to have hosted the Spring Eastern Sectional Meeting of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) on April 6-7, 2024. Highlights of the Howard AMS meeting included over 40 Special Sessions, three Invited Addresses, and the Einstein Public Lecture in Mathematics. The Invited Addresses were delivered by Ryan Hynd (University of Pennsylvania), Jinyoung Park (New York University), and Jian Song (Rutgers University). We are excited to announce the renewal of Howard University SIAM Student Chapter, dedicated to promoting industrial and applied mathematics on our campus. It will provide a platform for Howard students to engage with each other, with faculty, and with the larger mathematical community.
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