During spring term of the sophomore year candidates must submit a proposal that foresees this level of achievement by the end of junior year to the director of undergraduate studies. The general oral examination covers a list of topics available from the director of graduate studies and will be accepted in lieu of the usual senior oral presentation. Details concerning the requirements for the master's degree may be obtained from the director of graduate studies. There is a three-term sequence of calculus courses, MATH 112a or b, 115a or b, and 120a or b. MATH 112a or b is an introductory calculus course that presupposes only knowledge of basic techniques from algebra, analytic geometry, and trigonometry. Students who have already taken some calculus should consider MATH 115a or b or MATH 120a or b. Freshmen taking calculus are normally placed in MATH 112a, 115a, or 120a according to their backgrounds and their scores on SAT II subject or Advanced Placement tests.
All placement is subject to change during the term if necessary.
Further information about placement is given in the section on Mathematics in chapter 10 of the Freshman Handbook . From MATH 115a or b a student naturally continues to 120a or b or to MATH 230. After MATH 115a or b, students with a strong interest in abstract mathematics should seriously consider taking MATH 230. Any combined major candidate for the B.S. degree must take at least two advanced term courses in the physical sciences in addition to the ten term courses listed above. Such courses require the approval of the director of undergraduate studies.