Honors Program
Background
The Mathematics Honors program is designed for academically exceptional and highly motivated students. It offers an intellectually stimulating course of study that emphasizes mathematical rigor and problem-solving. The program nurtures creative and independent inquiry, providing students with an excellent foundation for postgraduate studies and advanced careers.
The Honors program is a commitment to a more rigorous and rewarding academic experience. It is defined by two key elements that set it apart:
- Advanced Coursework: Honors majors must complete the two-course sequence, SM331H-SM332H (Honors Real Analysis I & II). This sequence is designed to cultivate the advanced analytical skills and a rigorous understanding of real analysis essential for success in graduate-level study in mathematics and related fields.
- Honors Thesis: All Honors candidates must complete an individual thesis project (SX495/96), conducted under the mentorship of a Mathematics Department faculty member. This includes writing a formal paper and delivering an oral presentation to the faculty.
👉 Faculty Advisers: Please check this page for a list of potential faculty advisers and their research interests to help you get started.
Current Honors Matrices
- SMAH (Mathematics)
- SMPH (Applied Mathematics)
- SMOH (Operations Research)
- Starting with Class 2028: pdf
How to Apply
Each March, an invitation to apply for the Honors program is sent via email to all third-class (3/C) Mathematics majors (SMA, SMP, and SMO). The application process is straightforward: simply reply to the email to express your interest. A committee of Mathematics faculty will then review each applicant's academic record, and applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision shortly after spring semester final grades are released.
Requirements for Graduating with Honors
To graduate with Honors, midshipmen must be accepted into the program and fulfill all requirements for their respective Honors curriculum (SMAH, SMPH, or SMOH). Additionally, Honors students must maintain the following academic standing:
- Mathematics GPA: A grade average of at least 3.5 in all mathematics courses.
- Overall GPA: An overall grade average of at least 3.0.
- No Failing Grades: No 'D' or 'F' grades on the final transcript.
Program Timeline
- Application: Students are typically accepted into the program at the end of their third-class (3/C) year. In special cases, fourth-class (4/C) students who are significantly ahead in their major matrix may also be considered.
- Honors Real Analysis: This course sequence is typically completed during the second-class (2/C) year.
- Reading Course: While not a formal requirement, students often take a reading course in the 1/C fall semester under the mentorship of a Mathematics Department faculty member. This course can be used to deepen knowledge of a particular area and explore potential research projects, and it can also fulfill the Breadth Elective requirements in their matrix.
- Honors Thesis: The Honors thesis is typically completed during the first-class (1/C) spring semester. The current timeline is available in the right navigation menu on this page.
Note on Prerequisites: SM291 is a prerequisite for SM331H. SMA and SMP majors are automatically enrolled in SM291 during the 3/C fall semester. Operations Research (SMO) majors who plan to apply for the Honors program must take SM291 in place of the standard SM244 no later than the spring semester of their third-class (3/C) year.
Additional Documentation
Deadlines
- Research/Reading Course Proposal: 11/14/25
- Initial Report: 1/28/26
- First Draft: 2/25/26
- Second Draft: 4/1/26
- Final Version: 4/22/26
- 2026 Honors Thesis Guidelines: pdf
Submission Forms
- Reading Course Proposal: Google Form
- Initial Report: Google Form
- First Draft: Google Form
- Second Draft: Google Form
- Final Version: Google Form
