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Math & Political Science Major

The Math-Political Science joint major is aimed at undergraduates interested in pursuing both pure math and the study of politics. Math-POLS students have the opportunity to learn the cutting edge methodologies that are used by many Emory faculty in their research. The major is excellent preparation for a great variety of careers, and offers students a unique opportunity to be able to pursue careers open to math or political science majors.

Many of our students go on to enter prestigious graduate programs in the social sciences, with the ultimate goal of becoming university professors. The professorial job opportunities for methodologically well-trained graduate students are 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.

To declare a major, please refer to the instructions on the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) website. 

Requirements & Procedures

Major requirements will depend on your planned graduation date and/or declaration date. Review the information below to determine the applicable major requirements.

Many faculty in the Emory Political Science Department utilize quantitative tools in their research including artificial intelligence, game theory, statistics, nonlinear systems, and formal proofs and logic. While Math-POLS majors can take any 300+ level course in political science to satisfy their elective requirements, they are always encouraged to reach out to interested faculty in order to select these elective courses and to determine eligibility for graduate coursework. Math-POLS majors are encouraged to consider taking graduate courses in political science in order to satisfy one or more POLS elective requirements, subject to instructor approval.

Majors will be assigned both a Political Science advisor and a Math advisor. Students completing the major must complete a total of 14 courses, seven courses from Political Science and seven courses from the Math Department, both of which are described in detail below. These courses must include the following: 

  • POLS 100: National Politics of the United States*
  • POLS 110 OR 120: Introduction to International OR Comparative Politics
  • POLS 310: Statistical Modeling**
  • POLS 208: Research Design Methods***
  • Two POLS electives (300+)
  • A POLS research course (POLS 394/494 or “RSCH” in title)**** 
  • MATH 111: Calculus I
  • MATH 112: Calculus II
  • MATH 211: Multivariable Calculus
  • MATH 212 OR 250: Differential Equations OR Foundations of Math
  • MATH 221: Linear Algebra
  • MATH 361: Probability & Statistics I
  • MATH 362: Probability & Statistics II 

* Or POLS 111: Principles of Political Science

 ** Appropriate substitutes for POLS 310 include: QTM 100, QTM 220, ECON 220, ISOM 350, and MATH_OX 117Q

 *** POLS 310 must be completed prior to enrollment in POLS 208

 **** May carry pre-requisite of POLS 208, review details on OPUS

Math-Political Science Major Checklist - Transition

Majors will be assigned both a Political Science advisor and a Math advisor. Students completing the major must complete a total of 14 courses, seven courses from Political Science and seven courses from the Math Department, both of which are described in detail below. These courses must include the following: 

  • POLS 111: Principles of Political Science
  • POLS 208: Research Design Methods*
  • Four POLS electives (300+)
  • A POLS research course (POLS 394/494 or “RSCH” in title)** 
  • MATH 111: Calculus I
  • MATH 112: Calculus II
  • MATH 211: Multivariable Calculus
  • MATH 212 OR 250: Differential Equations OR Foundations of Math
  • MATH 221: Linear Algebra
  • MATH 361: Probability & Statistics I
  • MATH 362: Probability & Statistics II

 * Appropriate pre-requisites for POLS 208 include: QTM 100, POLS 310, QTM 220, ECON 220, ISOM 350, and MATH_OX 117Q.

 ** May carry pre-requisite of POLS 208, review details on OPUS.

Math-Political Science Major Checklist - New

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.

In accordance with college guidelines, a joint major wishing to pursue honors in Political Science must receive approval from 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 Ken Mandelberg in the Math Department.