Mathematics and Statistics Honors Program

Students seeking admission into the Mathematics Honors Program must:

• Have a declared major in Mathematics.
• Have completed 12 semester credit hours of upper-division MATH and STAT courses at CMU.
• Have earned at least 45 semester credit hours.
• Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all MATH and STAT classes at the 200-level or above.
• Have earned a minimum overall GPA of 3.50.

Meeting these minimum qualifications does not guarantee acceptance into the Mathematics Honors Program. Admittance in the program without all minimum qualifications being met is rare, but exceptions but may be considered by the Mathematics Honors Committee.

Timeline: Application to the Honors Program is typically done while taking Senior Capstone (MATH 492) after starting work on the final Capstone project.

Process: Interested students should first consult with a mathematics professor (e.g. their Capstone project mentor) regarding applying to the Mathematics Honors Program. To be considered for admission, the student should then submit:

• This official application form.

• An attached summary (1-2 pages) that
  • Describes why the applicant is applying for the Mathematics Honors Program.
  • Describes the proposed Honors Research Project

Please submit the completed application form and the attached summary to the Mathematics Honors Program Liaison:

Dr. Megan Wendler    [email protected]

The Mathematics Honors Committee will consider the application and will return their decision to the Honors Program Liaison who will contact the student and the proposed project mentor.

To fulfill the requirements of the Mathematics Honors Program, students must:

• Complete an Honors Research Project, typically by working for one semester* under the direction of a faculty mentor to extend the reach of the student’s final Senior Capstone (MATH 492) project.
  • While the above is typical, other substantive projects may be considered, e.g. a summer REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates).
  • Application to the Honors Program must be made the semester before the proposed project would begin.
• Write an Honors Thesis based on the Honors Research Project, submitted to the Mathematics Honors Committee.
• Give a presentation of their research to the CMU Mathematics and Statistics department and/or at a mathematics conference.
• Receive a recommendation for departmental honors from the Mathematics Honors Committee, based primarily on the Committee's evaluation of the Honors Thesis and oral presentation in consultation with the faculty mentor.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher in MATH and STAT courses at the 200-level or higher.

* The semester of work may be given credit through Independent Study (MATH 495) or Structured Research (MATH 497) up to 3 credits, or with no credit (= no cost to student).