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The Mathematics program in the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University offers a variety of options and opportunities for students with an interest in mathematics. As new discoveries have been made and new applications of the mathematical sciences have become important, separate degree programs have been developed in each of the following areas:
Virginia Commonwealth University offers complete programs in each of these disciplines at both the undergraduate and master's level. (The mathematics education program is offered in conjunction with the School of Education.) This arrangement has two major advantages for students. First, it allows students interested in any one of these areas to see the interrelationships between this area and the others. This is particularly important since each of the disciplines uses skills and techniques from the others. For example, applied mathematicians need a strong background in theoretical mathematics; and theoretical mathematicians can take advantage of the applications of mathematics; and teachers of mathematics should be aware of the application of mathematics in all of these areas. Second, the fact that all of the programs are in the same department makes it possible for students with interest and ability in quantitative areas to sample a variety of courses and then make a decision concerning their particular program. We have an active department with many opportunities for student employment and social interaction with faculty and students. Some of these opportunities, along with descriptions of the academic areas, are described in this handbook.
The Department of Mathematics is located on the second floor of Oliver Hall (Physical Sciences wing), phone (804) 828-1301. The secretaries on duty in room 2036 can answer many of your questions and direct you to an appropriate person for answers to other questions.
A wide range of computing facilities are available. The University offers access to three computing facilities, linked via the VCU ethernet network. The University Computing Center provides access to IBM mainframes running MVS and VM/SP. Health Sciences Computer Services maintains a VAXcluster running VMS. Academic Campus Computing services offers access to DEC 5800 computers running ULTRIX. Students have access to the internet via these facilities. The department also houses specialized equipment for graphics, image processing, and microcomputer applications, including a Pyramid 90X, a Ridge 32C minicomputer, and numerous microcomputers.
In addition, the Department of Mathematics provides a graduate
computer lab with IBM 486-compatible computers (running OS/2 and DOS/Windows),
Power PC's (running AIX), a transputer-based Hypercube and a multimedia
computer. Graduate students also have access to the Department's other
microcomputer laboratories.
All incoming students who wish to enroll in Mathematics courses must take the Mathematics Placement Test to determine their appropriate starting level. On the basis of the results of this test, students may be required to take one or more preparatory courses before enrolling in the courses required for a Mathematical Sciences degree. For this reason it is important that you take this test before developing your plan of study.
The test covers basic algebra and trigonometry and is generally taken during summer testing, advising and registration (STAR). If you are unable to attend STAR or begin your studies in other than the fall semester, it would be advisable to arrange to take the test before you register. This can be done by going to room 3013 in Oliver Hall on campus or by calling (804) 828-1320.
Upon admission to the university each student is assigned an advisor. The initial contact with this advisor should be made near the beginning of the first semester. Students who are transferring to VCU from another university should have their transfer credit evaluated by the dean's office, Room 205 Hibbs, prior to meeting with their advisor. The faculty advisor is an important personal link with the university organization. The advisor helps the student establish a relationship between the student's special needs and the university services, assists the student in career selection, and helps the student understand administrative procedures. Faculty advisors also assist students in the selection of courses and the preparation of the graduation application.
Along with this handbook you should have received a graduation worksheet which you, together with your advisor, should use continually as you plan a course of study that will meet all of your degree requirements. If you didn't get a worksheet you can pick one up at the secretaries' office, room 2036 in Oliver Hall.
A completed graduation worksheet containing your intended plan of study should be submitted to the department Undergraduate Credentials Committee for approval some time in the junior year. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE GRADUATION PROCESS. It is designed to inform you of any possible deficiencies in your plan while you still have time to correct them.
The Department of Mathematics annually appoints a faculty member as career advisor. This advisor is available to you for career consulting and general information about careers in the various fields associated with Mathematics. He or she also maintains a supply of career literature which may interest you.
In addition, the department career advisor occasionally (usually once a year) will arrange for a representative (or representatives) from government, business, or industry to give a talk on careers in a particular area or a trip to a facility offering appropriate advice on careers. You should watch for announcements of these talks and/or trips, since they can give first-hand information which may be very beneficial to you.
The Career Planning and Placement Office at 901 West Franklin Street provides services both to help you clarify career goals and to assist you in locating employment as you near graduation. Career counseling and special career planning groups are available for those students who desire assistance in selecting a career path. In addition, the Career Planning and Placement Office maintains a sizable collection of career literature.
A variety of placement services are also offered to seniors nearing graduation. Students who register with the Placement Office will receive weekly notices regarding employment opportunities and may participate in on-campus interviews with prospective employers. In order to participate in the interview program, you must have a resume on file with the placement office. They have sample resumes and offer short courses to help you write your resume.
Within the Department of Mathematics there are several programs available offering a variety of options. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences and within the B.S. in Mathematical Sciences the student may choose a concentration in Applied Mathematics, or Mathematics.
In addition, the department offers a secondary education program in conjunction with the School of Education. For students in other programs, the department offers a minor in Mathematical Sciences.
What follows is a brief description of these programs. The specific
requirements are listed in Appendices 1-6.
All students majoring in Mathematical Sciences are required to fulfill certain basic course requirements. These are specified in Appendix 1. There is a great deal of flexibility in choosing courses to fulfill these basic requirements. A student who wishes to emphasize one particular discipline for a concentration will have that indicated on the student's transcript. As an alternative to choosing a concentration, a student, with the approval of the department Student Credentials Committee and in consultation with the advisor, could design an individual study program combining course work in more than one of the disciplines represented in the department. The decision to choose a particular concentration does not have to be made until the graduation application is submitted in the senior year, but the student should consult with his or her advisor to determine the timetable necessary to meet the necessary requirements.
An applied mathematician is one who has one foot in mathematics and the other in science or engineering. The applied mathematician needs the skills to formulate scientific and technological problems in the language of a mathematical model, and to properly interpret the mathematical solution in light of the original physical problem. Among the tools used by applied mathematicians are: mathematical modeling; linear algebra and matrix theory; complex analysis; perturbation methods; numerical analysis; and a variety of techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations. Computational skills are virtually a necessity for most areas of applied mathematics. The course requirements of the applied mathematics concentration are designed to foster these skills and can be found in Appendix 1A. Since applied mathematics is closely allied to the sciences, students who choose the applied mathematics concentration are encouraged to consider minoring in chemistry or physics.
Applied mathematicians are found in such diverse specialties as optimization and control, mathematical physics, digital image processing, biomedical engineering, computational mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, and dynamical systems, to mention a few. Currently, there is considerable demand for those skilled in applied mathematics. Those holding bachelor's degrees will find government and industrial positions available in many branches of science and engineering. The major employers seeking applied mathematicians with graduate level training are universities, research and development oriented industries, national laboratories, and consulting agencies.
Because of the versatility of a solid mathematics background, the mathematics concentration can be used for a variety of goals. Virtually all of modern mathematics uses concepts and vocabulary drawn from the three fundamental branches: algebra, analysis, and topology. These three subjects form the core of the mathematics concentration. In addition to introducing the basic concepts of mathematics, these core courses will provide the student with experience in mastering abstract concepts and in theoretical reasoning.
From this base the student should be well-positioned to concentrate on one of the specialties of mathematics, to continue work in one of the core areas, or to sample a few areas in an attempt to get a broad overview of mathematics. The mathematics concentration provides the flexibility to do any of these with the proper selection of additional upper-level courses to complete the requirements which are listed in Appendix 1C.
Perhaps the greatest asset of a mathematics background is the mental discipline that it develops. It is very rare that the need for education stops with the attainment of any degree. Most graduates need training in their jobs to adapt theories from the classroom to the needs of their particular employer. Some may continue their education at a graduate or professional school, not only in one of the mathematical sciences, but in other fields such as law or medicine. The student who has developed the ability to solve problems and think creatively in mathematics courses should be prepared for any of these possibilities.
The Department of Mathematics, in conjunction with the School of Education, offers a program designed to prepare a student to teach mathematics in grades 8-12. Appendix 3 contains a description of current requirements. The interested student should contact Dr. Ruben Farley in Room 2066, Oliver Hall for complete details.
Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a unique optional program through which students complement their classroom studies with work experience related to their majors. Typically the co-op student intersperses his or her studies with at least three semesters of full-time employment in industry. During work periods the student remains enrolled in the university by registering for the appropriate non-credit co-op courses, COP 298 or COP 398. Descriptions of these courses can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
The co-op program attracts students from the School of Business, the Arts, Community and Public Affairs, Education, and Social Work, in addition to the College of Humanities and Sciences. To be eligible for the Co-op program a student must (1) be enrolled in one of the participating disciplines; (2) have completed the freshman year or one full semester if the student is a transfer student; (3) have a 2.5 overall grade-point average as a sophomore or a 2.0 overall grade-point as a junior or senior; (4) have recommendations from two VCU faculty from whom the student has had course work. A student must also apply formally to the Co-op Office and attend orientation workshops.
In addition to benefiting financially from ""Co-oping",
students often find practical work experience to be invaluable in helping
them refine career goals. For additional information, contact Dr. Farley in
Mathematics, or
Mrs. Cheryl Melton
Director of Cooperative Education
VCU
827 W. Franklin St.
Richmond, VA 23284-2508
The Department of Mathematics offers a minor in the mathematical sciences. The requirements for the minors appear here .
Several employment opportunities for undergraduates are available in the Mathematics Department. The jobs carry a great deal of responsibility and provide good experience, especially for those students in a mathematical sciences curriculum. For all jobs students must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits) and have completed their 100-level mathematics requirements. Student assistants are hired on a semester-to-semester basis, and, upon accepting a job, the student commits himself/herself to working the entire semester. Students with special financial need should consider the Federal College Work Study Program (For additional information contact Joy Walker in Oliver Hall 3013.)
The following is a list of available jobs:
Mathematics
Applications are available at the Math Lab window (3rd floor, Rm. 3013, Oliver Hall). Questions regarding student assistant jobs should be referred to Joy Walker (Mathematics/Statistics) or Dr. Lorraine Parker (Computer Science).
The VCU Math Society is a student organization for those interested in Mathematics. The organization has helped undergraduates explore the opportunities available for students with a degree in Mathematical Sciences. Specifically, the Math Society has sponsored field trips to various government agencies and private firms which employ our graduates. The Society also participates in various social functions, such as the departmental volleyball and softball games.
To qualify for any mathematical sciences degree the student must satisfy the general requirements of the College and University for a Bachelor of Science degree and the particular requirements of the Department of Mathematics. The College and University requirements are described in the undergraduate bulletin and in the graduation worksheet. What follows are the departmental requirements.
Mathematical Sciences majors must select one of the following options:
or
The student may use these courses in fulfillment of the appropriate College of Humanities and Sciences general education requirements.
The general education requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree include the provision that each student must take one upper-level course in expository writing, such as ENG 304: Advanced Composition, or ENG 327 Technical Writing, or two courses designated as "writing intensive". The department offers two courses on a regular basis which are usually writing intensive.
The student may count one of these toward the major in mathematical sciences; both may be counted toward the 124 credits required for the degree.
All students majoring in mathematical sciences are required to take at least 41 credits in courses labeled CSC, MAT or STA. These must include at least 24 credits in upper-level (300-500 level) courses and the following core courses:
Each student should discuss with his or her advisor the recommended courses for the freshman year. Since most upper-level mathematical science courses have one or more core courses as a prerequisite, these courses should be taken as early as possible. The mathematics placement test is a requirement to help determine this selection. On the basis of the result of the mathematics placement test, a student may be required to take MAT 101 College Algebra or MAT 102 Trigonometry. No more than three credits in 100-level mathematical sciences courses will be applicable to the general requirements for the B.S. degree. Credit for 100-level mathematical sciences courses may not be applied toward the mathematical sciences credits required for the mathematical sciences major.
In addition to the core required for all B.S. degree programs in Mathematical Sciences, the following courses are required for the applied mathematics concentration:
The following courses are recommended:
For those students wishing to pursue advanced degrees, MAT 507-508,
Analysis I, II is also recommended.
As mentioned previously the applied mathematician is a scientist as well
as a mathematician. For this reason, students in the applied mathematics
concentration are strongly encouraged to choose CHE 101-102 and PHY 207-208
to fulfill their science requirement. Additionally, one upper-level course
in chemistry or physics is recommended. (For example, CHE 510 is a good
choice.)
In addition to the core courses required for all B.S. degree programs in Mathematical Sciences, the following courses are required for the mathematics concentration:
The choice of additional upper-level credits should be based on the student's goals and interests.
Students interested in teaching mathematics in grades 8-12 can prepare to do so by completing a five-year preparation program. Students who complete the 160 semester credit program will receive a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. The anticipated bachelor's degree is a bachelor of science in mathematics while the graduate degree is a master of education degree.
Students in the program are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative
grade-point average of 2.5 and have a minimum cumulative grade point average
of 3.00 to be admitted to graduate study prior to the fifth year of the
program.
The program has the same general education requirements as the B.S. degree
in Mathematical Sciences. Courses in the mathematical sciences major are
specified as are courses in education throughout the five-year program.
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (B.S. IN MATH SCIENCES) 124 credits
EXTENDED PROGRAM (MASTER OF TEACHING) 33 credits
TOTAL PROGRAM 160 credits
FIRST YEAR
Fall Semester
ENG 101 3
HIS 103 or 104 (List D1) 3
MAT 102 or Placement 0-3
BIO 109, CHE 101, PHY 201, or
PHY 207; Lab 4-5
Foreign Language or Placement 4
Elective 3-0
17-19
Spring Semester
ENG 102 3
MAT 200 4
BIO 110, CHE 102, PHY 202 or
PHY 208; Lab 4-5
Foreign Language or Placement 4
15-16
SECOND YEAR
Fall Semester
LIT (List B1) 3
CSC 255 3
MAT 211 3
MAT 201 4
PSY 101 (List J1) 3
16
Spring Semester
Elective 3
MAT 307 3
STA 212 3
LIT (List B2) or
HIS (List C, D2, E, F) 3
List G1, or List H1 3
15
THIRD YEAR
Fall Semester
MAT 310 3
MAT 327 3
Elective 3
EDU 300 (List J2) 3
List (B2, C2, D2, E2, F2, G2, or H2) 3
15
Spring Semester
MAT Selective (upper level) 3
MAT 351 3
EDU 301 3
Elective 3
ENG 302, 304 or 327 3
P.Ed. 1
16
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Semester
MAT 530 (531) 3
EDU 423 3
EDU 310 3
MAT Selective (upper level) 3
Elective 3
15
Spring Semester
MAT 505 3
MAT Selective (second semester of a
Math Sciences upper level sequence) 3
EDU Selective 3
EDU Selective 3
Elective 3
15
Summer Semester
MAT Selective 3
EDU 651 or other EDU Selective 3
Elective 3
9
FIFTH YEAR
Fall Semester
EDU 545 3
EDU/PSY 607 3
EDU 537 3
EDU 673 3
CSC 554 3
15
Spring Semester
EDU 681 3
EDU 672 Internship 9
12
MAT Selectives: MAT 301, MAT 305, MAT 309, MAT 501, MAT 507-508, MAT
512, MAT 517-518, MAT 531, CSC 256, CSC 301, CSC 401, CSC 403, STA 404,
STA 503, STA 513, STA 514, STA 523, STA 533, STA 541, STA 543-544.
EDU Selectives: EDU 507, EDU 566, EDU 562, EDU 600, EDU 601, EDU 609, EDU
611, EDU 615, EDU 617,EDU 651,EDU 660. Others with approval by advisor.
Minor in lieu of a second laboratory science consists of EDU 300, EDU 301,
EDU 310, EDU 423, and 2 EDU Selectives.
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (B.S. IN MATH SCIENCES) 124 credits
EXTENDED PROGRAM (MASTER OF TEACHING) 33 credits
Middle Education - TOTAL PROGRAM 160 credits
FIRST YEAR
Fall Semester
ENG 101 3
HIS 103 or 104 (List D1) 3
MAT 102 or Placement 0-3
BIO 109, CHE 101, PHY 201, or
PHY 207; Lab 4-5
Foreign Language or Placement 4
Elective 3-0
17-19
Spring Semester
ENG 102 3
MAT 200 4
BIO 110, CHE 102, PHY 202 or
PHY 208; Lab 4-5
Foreign Language or Placement 4
15-16
SECOND YEAR
Fall Semester
LIT (List B1) 3
CSC 255 3
MAT 211 3
MAT 201 4
PSY 101 (List J1) 3
16
Spring Semester
List (B2, C2, D2, E2, F2, G2, or H2) 3
MAT 307 3
STA 212 3
LIT (List B2) or F1 (GEO 208) or
HIS (List C, D2, E, F) 3
List G1, or List H1 3
15
THIRD YEAR
Fall Semester
MAT 310 3
MAT 327 3
Elective 3
EDU 300 (List J2) 3
ENG 302, 304 or 327 or 2 expository
writing courses 3
15
Spring Semester
Elective 3
MAT 351 3
EDU 301 3
EDU 351 or EDU 433 3
PHE 390 3
EDU 310 1
16
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Semester
EDU 426 3
EDU 517 3
EDU 310 1
MAT Selective (upper level) 3
EDU 422 or Elective 3
MAT Selective (upper level) 3
16
Summer Semester
Elective 3
EDU Selective 3
Elective 3
9
Spring Semester
MAT 505 3
MAT Selective (upper level)
EDU 423 3
EDU Selective 3
Elective 3
EDU 310 1
16
FIFTH YEAR
Fall Semester
EDU 591 3
PSY/EDU 607 3
EDU 566 3
Elective (CSC 554) 3
EDU 544 3
15
Spring Semester
EDU 673 3
EDU 672 Internship 9
12
MAT Selectives: MAT 301, MAT 305, MAT 309, MAT 501, MAT 507-508, MAT
512, MAT 517-518, MAT 531, CSC 256, CSC 301, CSC 401, CSC 403, STA 404,
STA 503, STA 513, STA 514, STA 523, STA 533, STA 543-544.
EDU Selectives: EDU 507, EDU 566, EDU 573, EDU 600, EDU 601, EDU 609, EDU
611, EDU 615, EDU 617, EDU 651, EDU 660. Others with approval by advisor.
Minor in lieu of a second laboratory science consists of EDU 300, EDU 301, EDU 310(3), EDU 351, EDU 423, and EDU 426.
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (B.S. IN MATH SCIENCES) 124 credits
EXTENDED PROGRAM (MASTER OF TEACHING) 33 credits
Early Childhood - TOTAL PROGRAM 160 credits
FIRST YEAR
Fall Semester
ENG 101 3
HIS 103 or 104 (List D1) 3
MAT 102 or Placement 0-3
BIO 109, CHE 101, PHY 201, or
PHY 207; Lab 4-5
Foreign Language or Placement 4
Elective 3-0
17-19
Spring Semester
ENG 1023
MAT 200 4
BIO 110, CHE 102, PHY 202 or
PHY 208; Lab 4-5
Foreign Language or Placement 4
15-16
SECOND YEAR
Fall Semester
LIT (List B1) 3
CSC 255 3
MAT 211 3
MAT 201 4
PSY 101 (List J1) 3
16
Spring Semester
List (B2, C2, D2, E2, F2, G2, or H2) 3
MAT 307 3
STA 212 3
LIT (List B2) or F1 (GEO 208) or
HIS (List C, D2, E, F) 3
List G or List H 3
15
THIRD YEAR
Fall Semester
MAT 310 3
MAT 327 3
Elective 3
EDU 300 (List J2) 3
ENG 302, 304 or 327 or 2 expository
writing courses 3
15
Spring Semester
Elective 3
MAT 351 3
EDU 301 3
EDU 351 3
PHE 390 3
EDU 310 1
16
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Semester
EDU 426 3
EDU 414 3
EDU 310 1
MAT Selective (upper level) 3
Elective 3
MAT Selective (upper level) 3
16
Spring Semester
MAT 505 3
MAT Selective (upper level) 3
EDU 422 3
EDU 517 3
Elective 1
EDU 310 1
14
Summer Semester
Elective (EDU 423) 3
EDU Selective 3
EDU 673 3
9
FIFTH YEAR
Fall Semester
EDU 591 3
EDU/PSY 607 3
EDU 566 3
EDU 624 3
CSC 554 or Elective 3
15
Spring Semester
EDU 626 3
EDU 672 Internship 9
12
MAT Selectives: MAT 301, MAT 305, MAT 309, MAT 501, MAT 507-508, MAT
512, MAT 517-518, MAT 531, CSC 256, CSC 301, CSC 401, CSC 403, STA 404,
STA 503, STA 513, STA 514, STA 523, STA 533, STA 543-544.
EDU Selectives: EDU 507, EDU 566, EDU 573 EDU 600, EDU 601, EDU 609, EDU
611, EDU 615, EDU 617, EDU 651, EDU 660. Others with approval by advisor.
Minor in lieu of a second laboratory science consists of EDU 300, EDU 301,
EDU 310(3), EDU 422, EDU 426, and EDU 414.
A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 must be achieved in the minor. Credit for 100-level mathematical sciences courses may not be applied toward a minor.
A minor in mathematical sciences shall consist of at least 18 credits offered by the Department of Mathematics, including a minimum of one semester of calculus and nine upper-level (300-500 level) credits. Neither STA 213 Introduction to Statistics nor any 100 level course will be counted toward the 18 credits. The calculus requirement may be fulfilled by MAT 200 Calculus with Analytic Geometry or MAT 112 Elements of Calculus for Behavioral, Social, and Management Sciences, although MAT 112 may not be counted toward the required 18 credits.
1. Students in the Department of Mathematics who entered the program as transfers from other schools, or changed their majors to Mathematical Sciences or Computer Science, may petition the Undergraduate Credentials Committee, through their advisors, for waiver of the STA 212 requirement provided they have taken STA 213 or its equivalent and have successfully completed a more advanced statistics course such as STA 513 or STA 541.
2. The material covered in certain courses outside the department overlaps with that of some mathematical sciences courses. This may prevent applying one of these courses to a degree in mathematical sciences. For example:
BUS 301 and STA 213 overlap STA 212, so neither can be applied, even as an elective to the degree in addition to STA 212. While BUS 161, 162, and/or 163 can be applied towards the degree they will be counted as though they were a 100-level mathematical sciences course and no more than 3 credits in 100 level mathematical sciences course may be used towards the degree.
If you have any questions about a particular course be sure to check with your advisor.
In order to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in the department a student must have a grade point average of 2.0 or better in his or her major. At the time of the filing of the graduation application the student will select those CSC, MAT, and STA courses to be used to fulfill the major requirements ( see "major GPA"). The list of courses selected must include at least enough courses to fulfill the minimum major requirements for the degree and for the concentration, if one is chosen. Additional mathematical sciences courses may be included in the list with the following exceptions:
A mathematical sciences course that has been omitted from this list of major courses (and from the major GPA computation) can still be applied toward the 124 credits required by the college by listing it as an elective on the graduation worksheet.
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Last updated on 10/06/01 10:17:07 PM
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