Fast Track Program

Mathematics is one of the oldest and yet most vital and beautiful of subjects, and is a crucial tool as the foundation of your career. Skill development, calculations, and routine problem-solving, though important, are not the heart of mathematics. Current research in mathematics is rich in creative thinking. Mathematicians solve problems by means of clever inspiration and determination, not by rote computations.

Are You Up for a Challenge?

If you are intrigued by an intellectual challenge, then we have an offer that may interest you. The Mathematics Fast Track Program is designed for students who are motivated to pursue advanced mathematical studies at an accelerated pace. It allows you to complete both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in four to five years. Students work with graduate faculty members right from the start, and thereby enjoy a wide exposure to various fields of mathematical interest and hands-on encounters with the methods of mathematical research.

Students who finish the program should be well-prepared for continued graduate study in mathematics and the sciences, and can help you stand out in careers in business and industry.

If you love mathematics, and are capable of dealing with the subject at a high level now, the Fast Track program is for you.

Hear from Fast Track Graduate Eric Teoh

Program Benefits

Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computation

This track is focused on providing our students with the mathematical and computational skills needed to develop and maintain mathematical models. 

What Is a Mathematical Model?

A mathematical model is a rendering of some real-world system into the language of mathematics, usually taking the form of a single partial differential equation, or a system of such equations. The development of effective mathematical models is a fundamental need of our society, based as it is upon science and technology, and these models act as the indispensable link between us humans and the multitude of machines that we use to manage and investigate our world.

How are Models Used?

In weather prediction, data is gathered globally and locally and used as input to a system of partial differential equations that include not only effects related to the atmosphere, but also oceanic and even polar effects. This system of equations is large and complex, and good mathematics together with powerful supercomputer systems are needed for their solution. The end result is that today hurricanes and even tornadoes, while not exactly predicable, are much more predicable than in earlier times. The early warning systems generated by these models have saved many lives in recent years.

There are many other examples of beneficial mathematical models. Many regions of the country depend crucially on groundwater for human and industrial/agricultural use. It is a renewable but fragile resource, and contamination and overuse is a constant problem. Once again, aquifers are modeled by a system of partial differential equations. The design of jumbo-sized jet aircraft, CAT-scan imaging in medicine, the effects of earth tremors on buildings in earthquake zones, and option pricing models in the stock market are some additional examples of mathematical models of value to society.

Track Requirements

The Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computation Track includes a calculus and differential mathematics core. You will take courses like Scientific Programming, Introduction to Mathematical Modeling, and Modeling with Partial Differential Equations. Full requirements, a four-year plan, and course descriptions are available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Why Math? It Builds Career Skills

If you have already decided on a career in a field such as business, art, or education, you may think mathematics has little to offer you beyond completing your basic college requirements. Yet mathematics, as both an art and a science, can enrich your studies while honing skills to improve your career opportunities.

A sound mathematical education can enhance your problem-solving abilities, helpful for anyone who plans a career in business or who aspires to leadership in any field. Repeated exposure to mathematical problem-solving can help you learn to select the relevant information in a given situation and to combine it with other known facts to resolve a problem or to achieve a desired goal.

Interested in medicine, engineering, or other related fields? Mathematics helps improve the shape of jet aircrafts and the design and operation of diagnostic medical equipment. The role of mathematics in many fields has been enhanced in recent years by the increased availability of powerful computing equipment, such as the Alabama Cray-XMP supercomputer to which the mathematicians at UAB have access.

Why Math at UAB?

• Flexibility: The Department of Mathematics at UAB offers a complete range of courses in both pure and applied mathematics. Many Birmingham-area students come to UAB for advanced courses not available at their own institutions.
• Student Support: Our students have access to a dedicated Mathematics advisor, as well as free use of computer labs and tutoring services.
• Faculty Expertise: Most of our full-time faculty members are practicing research mathematicians, many of whom are nationally and internationally known and respected. These faculty are all involved in undergraduate teaching.

We invite you to explore our programs and find the right one for you!

Financial Aid

Scholarships

The Department of Mathematics has academic, need-based, and sponsored scholarships each year based on funding availability. You can apply through the UAB BSMART system.

Department of Mathematics Scholarship

Applicants of the Department of Mathematics Scholarship should demonstrate a solid academic promise and have earned at least an overall 3.0 grade point average. Must be currently enrolled or admitted to a degree-granting program in the Department of Mathematics.

Mathematics Fast-Track Scholarship

Applicants for the Mathematics Fast Track Scholarship should have been accepted into the Mathematics Fast Track Program, demonstrate solid academic promise, and have earned at least an overall 3.0 grade point average. It is anticipated that the scholarship will be awarded annually. Recipients of the scholarship may apply for the award in a subsequent year.

O'Neil Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics

Applicants for the O’Neil Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics must be enrolled in the Department of Mathematics and maintain at least at 3.0 grade point average. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate outstanding ability, potential, and interest in pursuing studies in Mathematics. Must be currently enrolled or admitted to a degree-granting program in the Department of Mathematics.

Lars Gunnar & Debbie Jo Severin Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics

Applicants for the Lars Gunnar & Debbie Jo Severin Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics should demonstrate solid academic promise and have earned at least an overall 3.0 grade point average. The Severin Scholarship is an annual award. Recipients of the scholarship may apply for the award in a subsequent year. Preference is given to a beginning student. Must be currently enrolled or admitted to a degree-granting program in the Department of Mathematics.

James C. & Carol Warner Endowed Scholarship

Applicants for the James C. & Carol Warner Endowed Scholarship should demonstrate solid academic promise and have earned at least an overall 3.0 grade point average. The Warner Scholarship is an annual award. Recipients of the scholarship may apply for the award in a subsequent year. Preference is given to a beginning student. Must be currently enrolled or admitted to a degree-granting program in the Department of Mathematics.

Travis B. Wood Memorial Mathematics Scholarship

Applicants for the Travis B. Wood Memorial Mathematics Scholarship should demonstrate a solid academic promise and have earned at least an overall 3.0 grade point average. The Wood Scholarship is an annual award. Preference is given to a returning student. Must be currently enrolled or admitted to a degree-granting program in the Department of Mathematics.

Other Scholarships & University Financial Aid

The university and UAB's College of Arts and Sciences offer many other scholarships to incoming and current students. You can explore these options and apply through the UAB BSMART scholarship system.

You can learn more about applying for financial aid on the UAB Students website.

Advising

No matter how good a student you are, having good advice is essential to your academic success. CAS Advising, 205-934-6135, is available to advise you on career and academic objectives and program planning. You are encouraged to consult them before registration each term, or whenever you have questions concerning your academic progress. Department faculty are also happy to discuss their research and professional interests with you.

• help you identify your goals and develop educational plans to reach them
• help you understand degree requirements, course selection, and schedule planning
• refer you to resources across campus that can boost your academic performance
• help you understand academic policies and procedures

Contact Us

International Students

One of the best things about UAB is its amazing diversity of its students. We value every student and the richly different perspectives, characteristics, and life experiences that contribute to UAB’s unique environment. We want you to have every opportunity to succeed in your course work and college life. Here are eight easy tips for you to follow:

• Visit the UAB International Student and Scholar Services website. They have all sorts of forms, guides, and helpful links to make your life easier.
• Don’t be shy. Let your instructors know that English is your second language.
• Take advantage of class study groups. They let you go over material at your pace.
• Record lectures (with your instructors’ permission). Transcribe your recording to notes.
• Meet regularly with your advisor. They are experts and can help!
• Visit the UAB English Language Institute. They will give you assistance with both oral and written English.
• Visit the UAB Writing Center. They have tutors and instructional workshops.
• Frustrated and out of options? UAB student counselors are there for you.

We invite you to explore all of the programs and services offered to international students. International Student and Scholar Services will be able to advise you about how to apply and who to contact for information. Please visit their website, or send general questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And remember — you are not alone! There are other international students/non-native English speakers in just about every class you take! Share your stories and help each other!

Careers in Mathematics

What can you do with a degree in Mathematics? Traditionally, math majors pursue careers in industry or within the academic setting. They teach, conduct research, or do both, working for schools, colleges, universities, high-technology companies, or research agencies such as NASA, the National Security Agency, or Bell Labs.

With appropriate additional study, other careers for the math major include operations research; computation; statistics; information sciences; actuarial science; modeling at the federal, state, and local levels; and interdisciplinary work in medicine, biological sciences, social sciences, business, and economics.

Explore the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn more about Mathematics careers.

Career Skills

A sound mathematical education can enhance your problem-solving abilities, an asset for anyone who plans a career in business or who aspires to leadership in any field. As a result of repeated exposure to mathematical problem-solving, you can learn to select the relevant information in a given situation and to combine it with other known facts to resolve a problem or to achieve a desired goal.

Make the First Move

Start your search here at UAB. To talk about professional opportunities, make an appointment with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., the undergraduate advisor.

If you are interested in teaching at the middle school or high school level, explore the UABTeach program, which helps you pair your math major with a teaching certificate.

The UAB Career Center has job and internship listings, job fairs, resume builders, and many more resources for UAB students.

Careers in Mathematics

Below you'll find some of the many careers you can pursue with a degree in Mathematics.

Honors Program

The Honors Program in Mathematics is designed for advanced, motivated students. Our mentored research program format and seminars are designed to help you build the research and communications skills needed for a graduate or professional career.

Benefits

The Honors Program is designed to foster a spirit of inquiry, independence, and initiative along with providing an overview of the relationships among the branches of mathematics studied. You will have an early opportunity to tackle a mathematical research project while interacting one-on-one with faculty members in a research setting. The mentoring, written report, and oral presentation should all contribute to your development.

Upon completion of the program, you will receive a certificate at the spring UAB Honors Convocation and will graduate "With Honors in Mathematics."

Eligibility

To join the honors program you must:

• be a mathematics major;
• have earned a 3.5 GPA in mathematics courses taken;
• have earned a 3.0 GPA overall;
• have arranged with one or more faculty mentors to work on undergraduate research projects for three terms (MA 498: Special Topics in Mathematics, 2 semester hours per term).

Requirements

To successfully completed the program, you must:

• receive the approval of the Undergraduate Program Director;
• complete a minimum of 6 semester hours of MA 498: Research in Mathematics and 3 semester hours of approved seminars, in addition to the requirements of the mathematics major;
• submit a formal written report of work done with your faculty mentors;
• submit an oral or poster presentation at a meeting of a recognized mathematical or scientific society (for example, the Alabama Academy of Science, the American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America, the Alabama Association of College Teachers of Mathematics); and
• maintain a 3.50 GPA in mathematics courses and a 3.0 GPA overall.

Further Information

Program requirements and a suggested plan of study for Honors students are available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

Minor

A minor in Mathematics can add depth to your studies, whether you're majoring in Business or Chemistry, Teaching or Engineering, Law or Computer Science. Learning the fundamental concepts of math can help you with problem solving, analyzing and sorting information, and logical thinking — valuable skills in many majors and careers.

Course Catalog

A complete list of minor requirements and courses is available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

Ready to Apply?

All the information you need to apply can be found on UAB's Undergraduate Admissions Hub.

Program Requirements

The B.S. degree in mathematics is the minimal entry requirement for most careers in mathematics. It also helps prepare you for careers in health, science, and engineering.

You will need two years of high school algebra, trigonometry, and a course including the logarithmic and exponential functions to be a math major. If you did not study all of those courses in high school you can take catch-up courses here at UAB, in a sequence of two or three pre-calculus classes.

You can follow four tracks leading to a B.S. in Mathematics. Advanced students should consider our Honors and Fast Track programs.

Tracks

All tracks require a Senior Seminar (taken in the senior year) in which students from all four tracks are simultaneously enrolled.

Interested in Teaching?

If you are interested in teaching in middle or highschool, the traditional and honors tracks are usually associated with teaching grades 7-12 while the mathematical reasoning track is associated with teaching grades 4-8 (middle school). Learn more about earning a teaching certificate along with your major through UABTeach.

A double major in mathematics and education is available for pre-high school teachers, and a major in mathematical reasoning and minor in education is available for pre-middle school teachers, coordinated with the School of Education and Human Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Course Catalog

A complete list of program requirements, courses, and proposed four-year programs of study for the different tracks are available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

Ready to Apply?

All the information you need to apply can be found on UAB's Undergraduate Admissions Hub.