Financial Mathematics Major

Department of Mathematics

This major is first and foremost a course of study in mathematics, with a focus on the computational tools and techniques needed to thrive in the financial engineering industry. In today’s specialized world, a sophisticated level of mathematical understanding is an essential competitive edge. As this program includes courses in Economics and Finance, students who would usually not consider a traditional mathematics major will find this program especially attractive. Interested students are urged to contact the Department of Mathematics as early as possible. The student will be assigned an advisor who will aid in formulating an appropriate course of study.

A student majoring in financial mathematics cannot minor in mathematics or declare a second major in statistics.

Requirements for the Major

Math Program Pre-requisites

There are two equivalent paths by which a student may gain admission to the program:

Path I

As a preliminary requirement, students must complete two semesters of calculus, which may be achieved by any one of the following methods:

Calculus AP BC with a grade 4 or 5, or
Calculus AP AB with a grade of 4 or 5 and MTH 3010 with B+ or higher, or
MTH 2600 or MTH 2610, and MTH 3010 with a combined GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0
MTH 2205 or MTH 2207, and MTH 3006 and MTH 3007, with a combined GPA in the four courses of at least 3.5 out of 4.0 .

Students must meet the following requirement to gain admission to the program:

MTH 3050 and MTH 4000 with a minimum grade of B in each course.

Path II

If you have completed:

Calculus AP BC with a grade 4 or 5 and MTH 3020 with B+ or higher, or
MTH 3010 and MTH 3020 with a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4, or
MTH 3006 and MTH 3030 with a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4, or
MTH 3006 and MTH 3007 and MTH 3020 with a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4, or
MTH 2630 and MTH 3030 with a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.

You must take MTH 3035 and earn a grade of B or better. (MTH 3020 or MTH 3030 together with MTH 3035 is equivalent to MTH 3050.) MTH 3035 is a one credit course covering the material in MTH 3050 that is not included in either MTH 3020 or MTH 3030.

Students must also meet the following requirement to gain admission to the program:

MTH 4000 with a minimum grade of B.

Business Program Pre-requisites Required Courses

Required Finance Courses:
FIN 3000	Principles of Finance	3 credits
FIN 3610	Corporate Finance	3 credits
Required Upper-level Mathematics Courses:
MTH 3300	Algorithms, Computers, and Programming I	3 credits
MTH 3210 or MTH 4100	A First Course in Linear Algebra or Linear Algebra	3 credits
MTH 4115	Numerical Methods for Differential Equations	4 credits
MTH 4120	Introduction to Probability *	4 credits
MTH 4125	Introduction to Stochastic Processes	4 credits
MTH 4130	Mathematics of Data Analysis (formerly Mathematics of Statistics)	4 credits
MTH 4300	Algorithms, Computers, and Programming II**	3 credits
MTH 4500	Introductory Financial Mathematics	4 credits
MTH 4600	Data Analysis and Simulation for Financial Engineers	4 credits
MTH 5500	Stochastic Calculus for Finance	4 credits

* Students who have completed MTH 3120 cannot enroll in MTH 4120. They must satisfy the probability requirement by registering for MTH 4119 as an independent study (please consult the Department of Mathematics).

** Students who have completed CIS 3100 are ineligible to receive credit for MTH 4300. They must satisfy the requirement by registering for MTH 4299 and CIS 3100.

Students are expected to complete the major requirements in place at the time they are officially accepted into their programs. Please review the College Bulletin for the relevant academic year.

Contact

Department of Mathematics
646-312-4110

Professor Douglas Howard (Financial Mathematics)
646-312-4163

ACC 2101	Principles of Accounting	3 credits
ECO 1001	Micro-Economics	3 credits
ECO 1002	Macro-Economics	3 credits