American University of Beirut

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The Department of Mathematics offers programs leading to the degrees of bachelor of science (BS) and bachelor of arts (BA) in mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics. It also offers programs leading to the degree of master of science (MS) in mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics subscribes to the view that “Mathematics as an expression of the Human mind reflects the active will, the contemplative reason, and the desire for aesthetic perfection.” Through the different fields of algebra, analysis, geometry, number theory, statistics, and applied mathematics, the department aims to train students in quantitative reasoning, in dealing with abstraction, in enhancing their sense of formalism, in tackling mathematical problems, and in writing clear and rigorous proofs. The training will help the students acquire a sound balance between abstract generality and colorful individuality, and between the qualitative and quantitative aspects of mathematics. It also will help students master the theory through a clear comprehension of the theoretical aspects without losing sight of applications. Graduates of the Mathematics Department should be well placed to work in various professional areas of education, finance, information technology, or for pursuing graduate studies in mathematics or a related area.

Students opting for the program in mathematics can earn either a BA or a BS degree. The department requires at least 9 credits in courses numbered 200 or above in Understanding the World for the BS degree, and at least 9 credits in courses numbered 200 or above in the arts Cultures and Histories or Societies and Individuals for the BA degree. In both cases, it is recommended that at least 6 of these 9 credits be in disciplines that use quantitative methods and be chosen in conjunction with the students’ faculty advisers. The mathematics requirements are the same for both the BA and the BS degrees and consist of a minimum of 39 credits as follows:

MATH 201, MATH 210, MATH 214, MATH 219, MATH 223, MATH 227, MATH 233, MATH 241, and at least one of MATH 220 or MATH 242, and at least 12 more credits chosen from MATH 202 and mathematics courses numbered 213 or above. In addition, students must take CMPS 201 or 203, which is a first course in programming. Students should note that MATH 211 and MATH 212 do not count towards the major course requirements for the BS and BA in mathematics. For pure mathematics major, MATH 211 and MATH 212 may be taken as free electives.

Transfer students who have done well in MATH 218 can count it towards the mathematics major instead of MATH 219, subject to departmental approval. In such a case, the department will usually require the students to take MATH 220.

Students wishing to pursue graduate study in mathematics are strongly urged to take MATH 220, MATH 242, and MATH 213 or MATH 215. They may also want to consider taking one or more graduate course in their senior year. Students interested in high school teaching are encouraged to include MATH 202, MATH 213, MATH 251, and MATH 261 among their courses.

The general education requirements are Understanding Communication - English (6 credits), Understanding Communication - Arabic (3 credits), Cultures and Histories (9 credits), Human Values (3 credits), Societies and Individuals (6 credits), Understanding the World and Quantitative Reasoning (9 credits with at least 3 credits from each), and Community Engaged Learning (3 credits). At least one of the courses from Cultures and Histories or Human Values should be from the History of Ideas: CHLA. At least one course from your degree requirements (except Understanding Communication) should cover the theme of Social Inequalities (3 credits).

A minor in mathematics requires 18 credits which include MATH 201, MATH 210, MATH 218 or MATH 219, and 9 more credits in mathematics courses numbered MATH 202, MATH 211 or above, or statistics courses numbered STAT 230 or above. 

Note: Students can opt for a minor in mathematics or a minor in applied mathematics, but not both.

Students opting for the program in applied mathematics can earn either a BA or a BS degree. The department requires at least 6 credits in courses numbered 200 or above in Understanding the World for the BS degree, and at least 6 credits in courses numbered 200 or above in the arts Cultures and Histories or Societies and Individuals for the BA degree. The mathematics requirements are the same for both the BA and the BS degrees and consist of a minimum of 39 credits as follows:

MATH 201, MATH 202, MATH 210, MATH 212, MATH 218 or MATH 219, MATH 223, STAT 233, MATH 251, MATH 281, at least one of MATH 224 and MATH 227, and at least 9 additional credits numbered 211 and above. These additional credits must include at least two of the following three areas:

In addition, students must take CMPS 201 or 203, which is a first course in programming. Moreover, 9 credits must be chosen in one applied discipline or track from the following list:

Some of the above Tracks can be further subdivided as listed below. Students can use the following classification as a guideline for choosing their 3 track courses.

The general education requirements are Understanding Communication - English (6 credits), Understanding Communication - Arabic (3 credits), Cultures and Histories (9 credits), Human Values (3 credits), Societies and Individuals (6 credits), Understanding the World and Quantitative Reasoning (9 credits with at least 3 credits from each), and Community Engaged Learning (3 credits). At least one of the courses from Cultures and Histories or Human Values should be from the History of Ideas: CHLA. At least one course from your degree requirements (except Understanding Communication) should cover the theme of Social Inequalities (3 credits).

A minor in applied mathematics requires 18 credits which include MATH 201, MATH 210, either MATH 218 or MATH 219, and 9 more credits in mathematics courses numbered MATH 202, MATH 211 or above, or statistics courses numbered STAT 230 or above.

Note: Students can opt for a minor in mathematics or a minor in applied mathematics, but not both.

Students opting for the program in statistics can earn either a BA or a BS degree. The department requires at least 6 credits in courses numbered 200 or above in the natural sciences for the BS degree, and at least 9 credits in courses numbered 200 or above in the arts Cultures and Histories or Societies and Individuals for the BA degree. In both cases, it is recommended that at least 6 of these 9 credits be in disciplines that use quantitative methods and be chosen in conjunction with the students’ faculty advisers. The Quantitative Thought requirements are the same for both the BA and the BS degrees and consist of a minimum of 45 credits as follows:

Moreover, an additional 9 credits must be chosen from the following list of technical elective courses from applied disciplines or mathematics:

Students planning to pursue higher education in statistics are advised to take their technical electives in advanced mathematics courses, such as MATH 223 and MATH 227.

Students interested in actuarial science are advised to take their technical electives as MATH 272, MATH 273, and MATH 274. Note that, students planning to pursue a career as an actuary have to pass a sequence of professional exams and complete VEE credits (Validation for Educational Experience). Thus, they are also advised to take the following courses within their degree requirements: ECON 211, ECON 212; and the following additional courses above the required 90 credits: BUSS 211, ACTN 210, FINA 210, FINA 220.

Students interested in data science are advised to take their technical electives as EECE 490 and EECE 693 and at least one course from: CMPS 202 or EECE 330, CMPS 261, EECE 641, BUSS 200, MNGT 222, DCSN 200, DCSN 216. They are also advised to take STAT 236 and STAT 237 within their degree requirements.

It is to be noted that STAT 201, STAT 203, STAT 210, and STAT 230 are mainly service courses. STAT 201 is essentially equivalent to EDUC 227, and STAT 210 is essentially equivalent to ECON 213. Students can get credit for only one of the following: STAT 201, STAT 203, STAT 210, STAT 230, STAT 233, EDUC 227, ECON 213.

The general education requirements are Understanding Communication - English (6 credits), Understanding Communication - Arabic (3 credits), Cultures and Histories (9 credits), Human Values (3 credits), Societies and Individuals (6 credits), Understanding the World and Quantitative Reasoning (9 credits with at least 3 credits from each), and Community Engaged Learning (3 credits).

At least one of the courses from Cultures and Histories or Human Values should be from the History of Ideas: CHLA. At least one course from your degree requirements (except Understanding Communication) should cover the theme of Social Inequalities (3 credits).

A minor in statistics can be pursued via one of two options:

Modes of Analysis	Understanding Communication - English and Arabic (9)	Cultures and Histories (9), Human Values (3)	Understanding the World (6)	Major requirements + Quantitative Reasoning (42)	​Community-Engaged Learning (3), Societies and Individuals (6)
​Lecture Courses (9+12+6+42 +3+6)	​Required Arabic course (3) Required English courses: ENGL 203(3), 204(3)	​Required credits in the Cultures and Histories: 9 credits including History of Ideas and 3 credits Human Values	​Required courses (6)	​Required mathematics courses (27): MATH 201, 210, 214, 219, 223, 227, 233, 241, and at least one of 220 or 242. Required mathematics electives (12): MATH 202, and/or mathematics courses numbered 213 and above.​ Required programming course (3): CMPS 201 or 203	​Required Community engaged learning course (3) Required Societies and Individuals courses (6)