UCLA Mathematics: A Comprehensive Overview
The UCLA Mathematics Department stands as a distinguished center for mathematical research and education, encompassing both pure and applied mathematics. With a commitment to excellence, the department offers a wide array of programs, resources, and opportunities for students and faculty alike. This article provides a detailed exploration of the UCLA Mathematics Department, covering its academic programs, research endeavors, honors programs, and available resources.
Departmental Overview
UCLA Mathematics is organized into several research groups, focusing on both pure and applied mathematics. The department is housed in the Mathematical Sciences Building, centrally located on the UCLA campus. The MS building houses classrooms, administrative offices, faculty offices, graduate student offices, the graduate student lounge and several computer labs. The Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Library is located nearby in the adjoining Boelter Hall.
Academic Programs
The UCLA Mathematics Department offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs tailored to meet the diverse interests and career goals of its students. These programs include:
- Mathematics: Designed for students who are interested in the theory of mathematics.
- Mathematics/Applied Science: Intended for students who are interested in applications of mathematics to other areas. Students majoring in Mathematics/Applied Science often pursue careers in medical professions, professional programs, or graduate programs in business or law.
- Mathematics/Economics: Designed to give students a solid foundation in both mathematics and economics, stressing those areas of mathematics and statistics that are most relevant to economics and the parts of economics that emphasize the use of mathematics and statistics. It is ideal for students who may wish to complete a higher degree in economics.
- Specialization in Computing: The Department of Mathematics offers a Specialization in Computing.
These programs provide students with a solid foundation in mathematical theory and applications, preparing them for a wide range of careers in academia, industry, and government.
Research
UCLA Mathematics is renowned for its pioneering research in both pure and applied mathematics. The department publishes first-class mathematical research papers in the main stream of pure mathematics. Forum of Mathematics, Pi and Forum of Mathematics, Sigma offer fully open access publication combined with peer-review standards set by an international editorial board of the highest caliber, Strong research papers from all parts of pure mathematics and related areas will be welcomed. A mathematics research journal supported by a number of American, Asian and Australian universities and research institutes, and currently published on their behalf by Mathematical Sciences Publishers, a non-profit academic publishing organisation.It was founded in 1951 by František Wolf and Edwin F.
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The department has pioneered many of the most remarkable advances in the applied mathematics, propelling the applied math research group to #2 in the nation (US News). UCLA Math also has a reputation for cracking the most difficult pure math challenges, including a proof of the Serre Conjecture and the Twin Prime Conjecture.
The Bulletin of Symbolic Logic was established in 1995 by the Association for Symbolic Logic to provide a journal of high standards that would be both accessible and of interest to as wide an audience as possible.
Honors Programs
The UCLA Mathematics Department offers several honors programs designed to provide exceptional students with advanced academic opportunities. These programs include:
Mathematics Departmental Scholars Program
The Mathematics Departmental Scholars Program is the most advanced program offered to undergraduate mathematics majors. It provides excellent preparation for graduate school for exceptional students. Scholars complete both Bachelor’s (BS) and Master’s (MA) degrees, within a four-year period.
Admission to the Departmental Scholars Program is by application only. Students must apply before the end of the spring quarter of the junior year.
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To apply for the Departmental Scholars Programs, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be declared in a mathematics major and have fulfilled all premajor math requirements for that major
- Have completed 96 quarter course units or 24 courses at UCLA or another institution
- Have passed the Basic Exam
- Have completed the WII requirement
- Have at least a 3.6 gpa in all upper division math courses
- Have at least a 3.5 gpa overall in UCLA courses
- Have 2 letters of recommendation from Mathematics permanent faculty who have taught the student
- Have a detailed study plan for completing both the Bachelor’s degree and the Masters degree by the end of Year 4
- Have a Statement of Purpose, about one page but no more than two, which explains the student’s interest in the program
To remain in the Departmental Scholars Program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Remain a UCLA mathematics student in good academic standing
- Maintain at least a 3.5 GPA in mathematics courses at all times
The MA requirements include 11 additional courses, of which 8 must be graduate math courses. Typically, Scholars follow at least two of the Core graduate course sequences. These classes start in the fall quarter The normal course load for beginning graduate students is 3 math courses, with a least 2 in core sequences. In addition, candidates must fulfill all University level requirements. Note, in particular, that no course may be used to fulfill requirements for both degrees.
Graduate courses which are taken more than two quarters prior to the quarter of application to the Scholars program may not be used for credit toward the Masters degree.
Honors Program in Mathematics
Admission to the Program:
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To be considered for admission to the Honors Program in Mathematics, a student must:
- be officially enrolled in the Mathematics major;
- have completed at least four courses at UCLA in the Mathematics Department from those required in the “Preparation for the Major” or Major; and
- have at least a 3.6 GPA in such mathematics courses taken at UCLA.
Requirements For Honors At Graduation:
The student must have completed, in addition to usual course requirements:
- Mathematics 115AH, 131AH, 131BH, 132H, 110AH, 110BH and 110C;
- One of the following: Mathematics 191; or take, as an approved active participant, any graduate seminar offered by the Department of Mathematics; or submit an original project, which can be done as part of a regular course, a special course (Mathematics 199), or by special arrangement.
- Earn a 3.6 GPA or higher in approved upper division and graduate mathematics courses
The project should involve some aspects of mathematical theory. The project is to be carried out under the sponsorship of a faculty advisor. The project may be done as part of a regular course, a special course (Mathematics 199), Summer REU project or by a special arrangement. No later than one quarter prior to graduation, the student must submit a project proposal to the Honors Committee for approval. The project itself must be submitted not later than the fifth week of the last quarter before graduation.
Seminars: Upper division seminars in Mathematics automatically count as mathematics electives for the major.
Requirements For Highest Honors At Graduation:
In addition to the above, the student must:
- complete at least one approved graduate mathematics course; and
- earn a 3.8 GPA or higher in approved upper division and graduate mathematics courses.
Honors Program in Applied Mathematics
Admission to the Program:
To be considered for admission to the Honors Program in Applied Mathematics, a student must:
- be officially enrolled in the Applied Mathematics major;
- have completed at least four courses at UCLA in the Mathematics Department from those required in the “Preparation for the Major” or Major; and
- have at least a 3.6 GPA in such mathematics courses taken at UCLA.
Requirements For Honors At Graduation:
The student must have completed:
- Mathematics 115AH, 131AH, 131BH, and 132H AND
- One of the following three quarter sequences:
- Mathematics 151AB and any course 152-159;
- 170AB and 171;
- Statistics 100ABC; or
- 3 from Mathematics 133, 134, 135, 136, 146.
The student must either:
- submit an original project as described below; or
- take, as an approved active participant, any upper division or graduate seminar offered by the Department of Mathematics.
The student must have a GPA of at least 3.6 in upper division mathematics and statistics courses taken for the major.
The project should involve some aspects of mathematical theory. The project is to be carried out under the sponsorship of a faculty advisor. The project may be done as part of a regular course, a special course (Mathematics 199), Summer REU project or by a special arrangement. No later than one quarter prior to graduation, the student must submit a project proposal to the Honors Committee for approval. The project itself must be submitted not later than the fifth week of the last quarter before graduation.
Approval as an active participant requires all of the following: two lectures; a written statement, signed by the instructor, describing the nature of the participation. This statement must be submitted to the Honors Committee no later than the end of the quarter in which the seminar is given or the fifth week of the last quarter before graduation, whichever is sooner; approval of the Honors Committee. Upper division seminars in Mathematics automatically count as mathematics electives for the major.
Requirements For Highest Honors At Graduation:
In addition to the above: Students who demonstrate exceptional achievement will be awarded Highest Honors. Decisions regarding projects, seminar participation, and Highest Honors will be made by the Honors Committee.
Honors Program in Financial Actuarial Mathematics
Admission to the Program:
To be considered for admission to the Honors Program in Financial Actuarial Mathematics, a student must:
- be officially enrolled in the Financial Actuarial Mathematics major;
- have completed all of the “Preparation for the Major” courses;
- have at least a 3.5 GPA in the Mathematics “Preparation for the Major” courses;
- have at least a 3.5 GPA in the Economics “Preparation for the Major” courses
Requirements For Honors At Graduation:
- Complete Mathematics 115AH, 131AH and 131BH;
- Complete Mathematics 170AB and 171;
- Complete Mathematics 172ABC and 173AB.
The student must either: submit an original project as described below; or take, as an approved active participant, any upper division or graduate seminar offered by the Department of Mathematics.
The student must have a GPA of at least 3.6 in upper division mathematics and economics/statistics courses (calculated separately) taken for the major.
The project should involve some aspects of mathematical theory. The project is to be carried out under the sponsorship of a faculty advisor. The project may be done as part of a regular course, a special course (Mathematics 199), Summer REU project or by a special arrangement. The project may be done by enrolling in Economics 198A for preparation for Economics 198B (the thesis process requires enrollment in a two-quarter sequence of Economics courses). Present thesis in Economics 198B. No later than one quarter prior to graduation, the student must submit a project proposal to the Honors Committee for approval. The project itself must be submitted not later than the fifth week of the last quarter before graduation.
Approval as an active participant requires all of the following: two lectures; a written statement, signed by the instructor, describing the nature of the participation. This statement must be submitted to the Honors Committee no later than the end of the quarter in which the seminar is given or the fifth week of the last quarter before graduation, whichever is sooner; approval of the Honors Committee.
Requirements For Highest Honors At Graduation: In addition to the above: Students who demonstrate exceptional achievement will be awarded Highest Honors. Decisions regarding projects, seminar participation, and Highest Honors will be made by the Honors Committee.
Honors Program in Mathematics of Computation
Admission to the Program:
To be considered for admission to the Honors Program in Mathematics of Computation, a student must:
- be officially enrolled in the Mathematics of Computation major;
- have completed at least four courses at UCLA in the Mathematics Department from those required in the “Preparation for the Major” or Major; and
- have at least a 3.6 GPA in such mathematics courses taken at UCLA.
Requirements For Honors At Graduation:
The student must have completed:
- Mathematics 115AH, 131AH, 131BH and 132H; and
- Mathematics 151AB and any one course from 152-159 and Mathematics 134, 135, and any one course from 133, 136 or 146.
The student must either:
- submit an original project as described below; or
- take, as an approved active participant, any upper division or graduate seminar offered by the Department of Mathematics. Such participation is described below.
ALL courses toward a math program be taken for letter grades.
These honors programs provide students with a challenging and rewarding academic experience, preparing them for future success in their chosen fields.
Resources and Facilities
The UCLA Mathematics Department offers a variety of resources and facilities to support its students, faculty, and staff. These include:
- Mathematical Sciences Building: Centrally located on the UCLA campus, the MS building houses classrooms, administrative offices, faculty offices, graduate student offices, the graduate student lounge and several computer labs.
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Library: Located nearby in the adjoining Boelter Hall.
- Computing Services: The Department offers a broad variety of computing resources for students, faculty, staff, and guests.
- UCLA Extension: UCLA Extension offers a large selection of science and math courses to help you take the next step in your professional and academic development. Choose from degree-credit and transferable courses including chemistry, biology, statistics, mathematics, physiological sciences, and physics, among others.
Additional Information
- Calendar: The University of California, Los Angeles is on a three-quarter academic year. Spring break is the week in between the end of winter quarter and the beginning of spring quarter. There is also a Summer Session, however only undergraduate courses are offered during this time.
- Department Ombudsperson: Professor Itay Neeman. Please note that complaints and grievances about grading, course grades, etc. The Philip C. Curtis Jr.
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