Each student's course of study is designed to provide an introduction to the basic areas of mathematics or computer science and to provide the technical tools that will be useful later in the student's career. The course of study is planned in consultation with the department's advisory committees or the student's faculty advisor.

An undergraduate may achieve the BA with honors in mathematics or honors in computer science via one of several routes:

• The honors thesis, written under the supervision of a faculty member under conditions monitored by the University Committee on Honors
• (Mathematics only) A strong performance in a suitable sequence of courses, normally including some graduate courses, selected in consultation with a member of the department's advisory committee. The candidate also is expected to prepare a public lecture on a topic chosen together with a faculty advisor.
• (Mathematics only) The comprehensive examination, offered by the department and/or by visiting consultants to select students nominated by the faculty.