Information for Prospective Students
High school students
In addition to the University's subject requirements for admission, take a half-year of trigonometry and, if possible, an introduction to analytical geometry and calculus. Physics also is strongly recommended because many of the most important applications of mathematics are to physics. Three years of a language other than English-- preferably French, German, or Russian--also are recommended.
You will receive University credit for each College Board Advanced Placement Examination passed with a score of three or more. Specific information on Advanced Placement credit may be obtained in the UCI General Catalogue. You can find more admissions information here.
Transfer students
Ideal lower-division preparation for transfer consists of course work that blends University of California admission requirements, degree requirements of the school and major of your choice, and the breadth/general education plan best suited to your interests and goals. Design your schedule to accomplish the following objectives:
- Satisfy general University of California requirements for admission as a transfer student. (The units, grade point average, and subjects required are described in the UCI General Catalogue and explained in detail in the University of California guide "Answers for Transfers": Follow this link.
- Work toward meeting the lower-division requirements of your school and major. If you plan to transfer to UCI in your junior year and major in Mathematics, try to take the courses listed below. Completing them prior to transfer will strengthen your preparation, allow you to keep pace with junior-level UCI students, enable you to enroll in the upper- division courses you will need at UCI, and assist you in earning your bachelor's degree in a timely manner.
*One year of calculus
*One year of vector calculus/linear algebra/differentialequations
*One year of fundamental (calculus-based) physics or general chemistry
*One year of approved lower-division writing
*One course in either computer science or computational methods, including exposure to a higher-level programming language
Also recommended for students planning to pursue graduate study in mathematics:
*One year of college-level language other than English (preferably French, German, or Russian)
- Work toward meeting the UCI GE requirement. Transfer students have several options for fulfilling this requirement for the bachelor's degree. These are described in the UCI General Catalogue.
The option most frequently elected by students transferring to the UCI campus is UCI's own GE plan. If you are sure that you wish to transfer to UCI and major in Mathematics, it is to your advantage to take courses that apply to UCI's GE plan, because these courses may also satisfy other specific requirements for your UCI degree. Note that if you choose the UCI-specific GE plan, but do not complete it in its entirety prior to transfer, you may do so after enrolling at UCI if that scheduling better fits with your needs in preparing for transfer.
As an alternative for meeting the GE requirement, UCI accepts completion of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). For details on IGETC see the Answers for Transfers booklet. Note that if you elect to follow the IGETC, you must complete it in its entirety prior to enrolling at UCI.
If you are considering pursuit of a double major, or of a minor or concentration in a second academic area, you may wish to seek additional information in order to select the particular GE or general education option that is most advantageous for you.
To ensure that you are enrolled in the appropriate courses, work closely with your college counselor or counselors in the Physical Sciences Student Affairs office. Also check out UCI's transfer counseling service here.
For math major-specific information, please contact
Academic Counselor
Physical Sciences Student Affairs
School of Physical Sciences
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697
Telephone: (949) 824-6507
Email: pssazot(at)uci.edu
Prof. Zhiqin Lu
Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Mathematics
University of California
Irvine, CA 92697-3875
Email: zlu(at)math.uci.edu
Updated 9/11/09
