Honors Program

Introduction

The Honors Programs in Mathematics are an option for highly motivated and mathematically talented students who are interested in mathematics, engineering, and sciences. The Mathematics Department offers Honors courses at various levels of sophistication so as to enable any Honors student interested in mathematics to take challenging and stimulating mathematics courses appropriate for his or her background. These programs enable students to obtain an undergraduate mathematics education of the highest level that will prepare them for graduate study or a position in industry, education, or government.

UConn Honors Programs

There are two graduation awards, which you may work towards simultaneously: Honors Scholar in the Major and University Honors Laureate. For general information on these go to the UConn Honors Program web site.

Honors credit is available for several upper division Mathematics Department offerings including Undergraduate Seminars (MATH 3094) and the Honors Senior Thesis course (MATH 3796W). In addition, the student may request Honors Conversion credit for any of the mathematics 2000+ level courses with the approval of the course instructor and the student’s advisor.

The Mathematics Department offers designated sections of Honors versions of the standard introductory calculus sequence:

  • Math 1131Q Honors Calculus I (Fall only)
  • Math 1132Q: Honors Calculus II (Fall and Spring)
  • Math 2110Q: Honors Multivariable Calculus (Fall and Spring)
  • Math 2410Q: Honors Differential Equations (changes year-to-year)

It is expected that this sequence will be accessible to most Honors students in the university whether or not they are mathematics majors. They are a good choice for students seeking an Honors mathematics experience.

The basic subject matter of  all courses above  is similar to that in the corresponding non-honors versions, however, instructors have considerable opportunity to enrich the courses. They are suited for students who will need calculus and differential equations as a basic tool for their future work. These classes are open to students who have taken earlier Honors calculus classes in the same series, or are in the University Honors Program, or have the instructor’s permission. Students in the Honors Program receive Honors credit for these courses.

Elective Courses

Honors math majors are encouraged to take at least one of our first-year graduate courses in analysis (MATH 4110), algebra (MATH 4210), and geometry/topology (MATH 4310), for which Honors students receive Honors credit. Information about these elective opportunities is in the Elective Courses section of our mathematics majors page.

The Honors Thesis

To graduate as an Honors Scholar, the student must complete an Honors thesis under the supervision of faculty, usually, but not necessarily, from the Department of Mathematics. Information about the thesis is in the Senior Thesis section of our mathematics majors page. Note especially the time frame: find an advisor by the spring of your junior year.