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

The University offers several honors programs for students who wish to become involved in intensive study of mathematics. These are the Sophomore Honors Certificate, the Honors Scholar Program and the University Scholar Program. For general information on these go to the UConn Honors Program web site. The Sophomore Honors Certificate has among its requirements, 16 credits of Honors courses to have been taken by the end of the Sophomore year.

The Honors Scholar program has among its requirements 12 credits in 2000+ level courses from the major, including at least three credits in independent study aimed towards an Honors thesis plus the thesis. Courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the Sophomore Honors Certificate cannot be used towards the requirements for graduation as an Honors Scholar. Honors credit is available for several upper division Mathematics Department offerings including Math Scholars’ courses, Undergraduate Seminars and the Honors Thesis course. In addition, the student may convert to Honors credit any of the mathematics 2000+ level courses with the approval of the course instructor and the student’s advisor.

The Mathematics Department offers Honors versions of the standard introductory calculus sequence.

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

An alternative to the above Honors calculus and differential equations courses is the Advanced Calculus sequence (Math 2141Q, Math 2142Q, Math 2143Q, Math 2144Q). The math department also offers invitation-only courses in the Math Scholar program, for which Honors students can receive Honors credit. Honors math majors are encouraged to take at least one of our first-year graduate courses in algebra, analysis, and geometry/topology, 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.