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The Math Curriculum

How Carleton’s math courses fit together.
Published

November 10, 2026

Below is a map of the math courses at Carleton and the prerequisites between them, as the 2026–27 catalog states them. Use it to see where a course sits, what you need before taking it, and where it can take you next.

Calculus

Linear Algebra

Proofs

Algebra

Analysis

Applied

Discrete

Geometry/Topology

Reading the map

  • Arrows: an arrow from one course to another means the second requires the first.
    • Some courses have multiple pre-requisites! Every arrowhead going into a course is a pre-requisite.
    • A small diamond means that the courses which run into it (dashed) are alternatives. Either one will do!
  • Colors: each course is colored by its area and the five elective areas of the major are highlighted by default.
    • A course that counts for more than one area is divided into colored wedges.
    • Dashed rings are topics courses, whose title and subject change from year to year.
  • Hover over a course to see everything it builds on (all the way back) and what it leads to; click it to keep that view, and use the buttons on its card to move to a prerequisite or a next course.
    • Clicking “Catalog description” opens the course’s entry on the department’s course page.
    • You can also type a course number, name, or area to find it.
  • List has the same information as text.

This diagram leaves out courses without curricular prerequisites that aren’t part of a sequence (such as the Mathematics Practicum, directed research, and Comps) and, for now, the Statistics courses. I also haven’t worked to visually represent information to do with placement, instructor overrides, or courses that aren’t open to students who have taken another one (such as MATH 134 and 232). Don’t hesitate to reach out if you spot an error!