Recommended Math by Majors 

STEM refers to the academic disciplines of:

• Science

• Technology

• Engineering

• Mathematics

So, all the other majors can be called "non-STEM"

One thing that you should be careful of is, that the medical/dental field falls under health science, which is a separate group from STEM, even though "health science" has the word "science". Health science is not a major, but a group of fields/disciplines of study. So, some people might have STEM degrees for undergraduates, but not all Pre-Med/Medical/Dental people are STEM majors.

"Liberal Arts" majors consist of:

• History

• Literature

• Writing

• Philosophy

• Sociology

• Psychology

• Creative Arts

• and many more!

Typically any IB Math SL or equivalent level is sufficient for liberal arts majors.

Below are the recommended IB/AP math courses for some majors that require math!

** All the bullet points are read as "or", which means you should interpret them as IB or AP route, not as IB and AP **

(NOT in the order of recommendation)

• AA = Analysis and Approaches

• AI = Applications and Interpretation

• HL = Higher Level

• SL = Standard Level

1. Engineering/Technology

   • AA/AI HL

   • AP Calculus AB/BC

   • AP Statistics, if one is not taking any of HL maths

   • A combination of [AP Calculus AB + one IB HL] or any higher combinations would be the best-case scenario!

2. Business/Finance

   • AA/AI HL

   • AA/AI SL

   • AP Statistics and AP Calculus AB

3. Actuarial Science (The discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to the systematic observation of natural events)

   • AA/AI HL

   • AP Statistics and AP Calculus BC

4. Medicine/Health Sciences/Dentistry

   • AA SL (more recommended, as one would be more focused on science subjects)

   • AA HL

   • AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics

5. Law (If you intend to pursue any law career related to science policies and laws)

   • AA HL

   • AI HL

   • AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics

   • AA SL (if you intend to pursue liberal arts majors for undergraduate)

6. Sciences (Physics, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Geography, Pharmacy, etc.)

   • AA HL

   • AI HL

   • AP Statistics and AP Calculus AB/BC 

   • For Biology, AP Calculus AB or equivalent level is sufficient

   • For Geography, AA SL or equivalent level is sufficient, but for Geography in Bachelor of Science (emphasis on science), HL maths or equivalent is recommended

7. Architecture

   • AA SL

   • AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics might be beneficial, but not necessary

8. Economics

   • AA HL (for very competitive universities)

   • AP Statistics and AP Calculus AB (AP Calculus BC for very competitive universities)

** Some Japanese schools or UK schools (mostly Japanese schools) only accept IB AA HL or AP Calculus BC for some specific STEM majors. Make sure you do research on the schools before you choose a class to take!! **

You would search:

"[college/university name] [major]" 

to find out which specific courses are the graduation requirements, then choose the appropriate math course to take. You can compare the required course descriptions to the list of topics of SJS math courses. 

For example:

I can search for "UIUC math major" and navigate to "Undergraduate Programs" and "Degree Requirement". Below are the list of required courses for graduating UIUC with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

• Calculus III

• Fundamental Mathematics

• Abstract Linear Algebra

• Abstract Algebra

• Real Analysis

• Real Variables

• Probability Theory

• Intro to Computer Science

• Two or more courses from the following:

  • • Non-Euclidean Geometry

    • Euclidean Geometry

    • Differential Geometry

    • Vector and Tensor Analysis

    • Differential Equations

    • Applied Complex Variables

    • Complex Variables

    • Number Theory

Some schools' websites allow you to click on the course names, then you would be able to see further details and the prerequisites of each course. For UIUC math majors, I can conclude that IB AA HL or AP Calculus BC would be the best, since most of the required courses are based on analytic/abstract math and Calculus.

This research technique doesn't just apply to math courses, but it works for any other subjects! So do as much research as possible.

Every school has different acronyms for different subjects. Some schools use MATH, some use MAT, some use SM (for Science and Math), and some might not even use acronyms but label each subject with numbers. So of course it is very confusing when you just start doing research. 

If you have done research but need help with identifying college math (or science) courses and deciding on a class, feel free to email me, see me, or even message me on Whatsapp if you have my number! We can look through the websites together. 😁 Just let me know when you want to come in if you want to see me in school.

I am all open to providing any help that you need.