Graduation with Distinction in Mathematics is an academic honor bestowed on certain graduating majors in mathematics each year. To be eligible for this honor, students must take two 400 level math courses beyond those used to fulfill the major requirements. All students who meet these requirements by the end of block eight (block four for those graduating in winter) will be considered for Distinction in Mathematics. We recommend that spring graduates complete their distinction requirements by block seven. Students completing distinction requirements in block eight of the senior year will be fully considered, but awards may be contingent on successful and timely completion of Block eight coursework.

In late spring, the members of the Mathematics & Computer Science Department meet to discuss the students who qualify for this honor. Students are evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Work in the major: candidates for distinction should have an excellent record in departmental courses, especially in upper-level courses, and especially in the senior year.
2. The Senior Thesis should reflect both depth of understanding, as well as some grasp of its larger context. The project should show the student's ability to work independently. The paper and seminar or poster presentation will be judged both on content and on how well it reflects the larger project. For further information about the Senior Thesis, see information on the Senior Thesis in Math.

After a full discussion of the qualified candidates, the departmental faculty makes the final decision on granting Distinction by a yes/no vote.