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Math/Political Science Program

Emory College offers an exciting joint political science and mathematics major. This major is very rare among U.S. colleges, and it is designed to help undergraduates stand out in a truly unique way, thereby enhancing future prospects for graduate school and employment. The joint major combines many of the strongest elements of both mathematics and political science into one course of study.

The goal of the major is to offer undergraduates an opportunity to learn the same cutting edge methodologies that are used by many Emory faculty in their own research. As a result, this major is excellent preparation for a great variety of careers. For example, one of the goals of the joint major in political science and mathematics is to produce an elite group of undergraduates who will enter the most prestigious social science graduate programs, with the ultimate goal of becoming university professors. The professorial job opportunities for methodologically well-trained graduate students is currently excellent, and everything on the horizon suggests that this need will only increase in the future. Similar prospects apply to many other careers as well.

Thus, as you contemplate what courses you might wish to study at Emory, consider the joint political science and mathematics major. It is a major that helps you distinguish yourself in unique and valuable ways.

Requirements for Major Concentration

Students completing the Math/Political Science joint major must complete a total of 14 courses, seven courses (28 hours) from political science departmental offerings and seven courses (28 hours) from the math department, both of which are described in detail below. These courses must include the following:

(1) When students declare a joint major in political science and math, they will be assigned an advisor in political science for consultation regarding political science coursework.

(2) They will be required to take the following courses in political science: (Click here for Checklist)

a. POLS 100: National Politics in the United States

b. Either POLS 110 (Introduction to International Relations) or POLS 120 (Introduction to Comparative Politics)

c. One of the following classes in mathematically-based research methods:

i. POLS 308: Political Science Methods
ii. POLS 309: Survey Research and Political Analysis
iii. POLS 310: Statistical Modeling

d. Three electives in political science at the 300 level or above. These electives must be chosen from only one of the following areas: American politics, international relations or comparative politics. These courses must have content (such as readings or paper assignments) which employ the methods learned in 308, 309, or 310. A student must have his or her choice of 300 level courses approved by the joint political science and math faculty advisor. A student choosing international relations must take POLS 110, and a student choosing comparative politics must take POLS 120.

e. One pre-approved advanced seminar in political science (POLS 400 level) or graduate course (500 level). This type of course should be a “capstone” seminar in which a student would be able to fully utilize his or her training in mathematically-based research methods to work within a substantive area and/or on a substantive project. An example of an appropriate course is "Modeling Social Phenomena." A student must have his or her choice approved by the joint political science and math faculty adviser.

(3) Mathematics Courses (all joint majors must also have a math advisor):

a. MATH 111 and 112: Calculus I and II (or prior AP credit)

b. MATH 211: Multivariable Calculus

c. MATH 212: Differential Equations

d. MATH 221: Linear Algebra

e. MATH 361 and MATH 362: Probability and Statistics

(4) Honors Program Eligibility. A student who is a joint major in math and political science may participate in the political science honors program alongside political science and international studies majors, or in the math honors program. The political science honors program requires taking a graduate or senior seminar of the student's choice. That graduate or senior seminar can satisfy requirement "e" above, contingent on the approval of the political science adviser. Honors students also take an Honors Tutorial (POLS 495) in the fall of the senior year, as well as POLS 499 Honors Research in the spring of the senior year. These last two courses will satisfy only one of the three required courses in section "d" above (under political science courses). That is, students who complete the honors program will still need to take at least two 300 level or above courses as described in section "d." In accordance with college guidelines, a joint major wishing to pursue honors in political science must receive approval of the math department for entry into the political science honors program, and the math department must also agree on the level of honors ultimately awarded. Also per college guidelines, a joint major pursuing honors in political science must have a faculty member of the math department on the honors committee, in addition to a political science faculty member and an outside member.

For additional information about the Math/Political Science Major contact Courtney Brown in the Political Science Department or Emily Hamilton in the Math Department.