Penn’s Math Department will restructure its linear algebra and differential equations sequence as of summer 2026, replacing MATH 2400 and 2410 with two new courses: MATH 2200 and MATH 2300.
The redesigned sequence — announced in an email obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian — separates linear algebra and differential equations into more specialized tracks while eliminating redundancies with other courses. MATH 2200 will emphasize linear algebra with selected differential-equations applications, while MATH 2300 will cover a broader range of differential-equations material.
The department will also discontinue MATH 3120 and replace MATH 3140 — which is being offered for the last time this spring — with a new proof-based course, MATH 3000. The new class will serve as a prerequisite for most upper-division math courses.
“There was a lot of redundancy with some of our offerings, particularly 3120. Over time, the courses had evolved and drifted somewhat from their original intent,” Brett Frankel, a senior lecturer in the Math Department and one of the course-designers for Math 3000, said in an interview with the DP. “Linear algebra has become far more important in the modern world. Engineering, in particular, has changed. We wanted our students to understand the linear algebra aspects of the course really well, and that takes time.”
According to Frankel, students who have already completed 2400 or 2410 will continue to receive credit, and departments across the University are expected to adapt prerequisites to reflect the new titles. The updated courses are designed to allow each subject to be taught more coherently than the current model, in which differential equations and linear algebra share limited time throughout a single semester.
The curriculum shift stems from a multi-year discussion across the math department about how best to update its offerings for engineering, physics, computer science, and math majors. The department conducted an internal review of overlap, course changes, and evolving needs across STEM disciplines before instituting the new sequence.
College first-year Elias Nothacker, who is currently studying mathematics and economics, emphasized that he received limited information about the transition, though he told the DP he “was expecting it.”
“I would expect, at least, the departments to have the new course attributes uploaded so we can see the new courses,” Nothacker said.
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Nothacker added that he thinks the change will still be seen positively.
“If you want to take linear algebra courses, you take them anyway,” Nothacker said. “I actually like that it’s more focused.”
Chemistry professor Jeffery Saven also wrote to the DP that “we recommend both courses to majors, given the importance of linear algebra and differential equations to so many fields, including biochemical kinetics, quantum mechanics, and machine learning.
“This partitioning of topics may also better align with prior math experience of some incoming students,” he added.
Frankel also spoke about the steps the math department was taking to ensure a smooth transition, such as coordinating and discussing the changes with other departments.
“Every time we make a change to one of our major service courses, we want to make sure that students from other departments who need those courses are having their needs met,” he said.
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Staff reporter Advita Mundhra covers campus entrepreneurship and can be reached at mundhra@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies architecture and economics.
