Undergraduate Degree in Mathematics/Applied Mathematics

http://www.has.vcu.edu/students/worksheets/worksheets80805/MATH_Graduation_workThe curriculum in mathematical sciences promotes understanding of the mathematical sciences and their structures, uses and relationships to other disciplines. To this end, the scholarly growth of the faculty and students in the mathematical sciences is nurtured through study, research and a high standard of teaching. The curriculum provides a sound foundation for the student seeking to enter a career with a technological orientation or for the student who wishes to pursue graduate study in applied mathematics, mathematics, operations research,statistics or related fields.

A bachelor of science is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and the Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research. In the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics students in the bachelor of science in mathematical sciences can choose from two areas of concentration.

1. Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Sciences concentrates on the analytical and computational techniques necessary to solve many of today’s problems. These methods had been applied traditionally in such areas as chemistry and physics, but are now applied in many other areas.

2. Mathematics/Mathematical Sciences fosters the understanding of the power and the beauty of pure mathematics and its applications to various branches of knowledge.

As an alternative to the above concentrations, students may design an individual plan of study with the help of their advisers.

Mathematical sciences majors interested in teaching careers in early, middle, secondary or special education can enroll in an Extended Teaching Education Program that results in the simultaneous awarding of a bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences and a master’s degree in teaching. For more information about this program jointly administered by the College of Humanities and Sciences, contact the School of Education's Office of Academic Services.

Degree requirements – Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences

The bachelor of science in mathematical sciences requires a minimum of 120 credits with at least 41 of those credits in courses labeled CMSC , MATH or STAT . Along with the general education requirements of the College of Humanities and Sciences and the undergraduate requirements, students are required to take core courses and fulfill specific requirements for the degree.

Based on the results of the Mathematics Placement Test, students may berequired to take MATH 151 Precalculus Mathematics. No more than one course in mathematics (MATH ) at the 100 level can count for the general requirements toward the bachelor of science degree. Credit for 100-level mathematical science courses cannot be applied toward the mathematical sciences courses required for the major in mathematical sciences.

Mathematical science majors are required to complete the following:

1. Complete one of the following sequences:
   
   • BIOL 151, 152 and BIOL 151L, 152L Introduction to Biological Sciences and Laboratory I, II
   • CHEM 101-102 and CHEM 101L, 102L General Chemistry and Laboratory I, II
   • PHYS 207, 208 University Physics I, II or PHYS 201-202 General Physics
2. Complete another course, including laboratory, in the natural sciences from the list of courses approved for satisfying the general education requirements of the College of Humanities and Sciences. This course must be in the life sciences if the chemistry or physics sequence was selected in A above. It must be in the physical sciences if the biology sequence was chosen in A above.

3. Complete one other course in the natural sciences or complete a minor or second major offered outside the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
   Completion of the previously mentioned requirements will satisfy the College of Humanities and Sciences natural sciences general education requirements.

4. Core All Mathematics/Applied Mathematics majors are required to take
   
   • MATH 255 Introduction to Mathematical Computing
   • MATH 200-201 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I & II
   • MATH 300 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
   • STAT 212 Concepts of Statistics

Concentrations. By completing the listed requirements, students may obtain a designation on their transcript that their study has emphasized one of the following concentrations. Students may choose to meet the requirements of more than one concentration.

1. B.S. in Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Sciences

Six additional upper-level credits in mathematical sciences (MATH 302 Numerical Calculus, MATH 437 Applied Partial Differential Equations, and MATH 511 Applied Linear Algebra are recommended. Students in this concentration should elect at least one upper-level course in chemistry or physics. (CHEM 510 Atomic and Molecular Structure is recommended.)

2. B.S. in Mathematics/Mathematical Sciences
MATH 307 Multivariate Calculus
MATH 310 Linear Algebra
MATH 490 Mathematical Expositions
MATH 501 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
MATH 507-508 Analysis I-II
MATH 509 General Topology I

Six additional upper-level credits in mathematical sciences Students who meet the requirements for two of the concentrations within the mathematical sciences curriculum can receive a double major. To initiate a double major, students must obtain the appropriate form from the Office of Records and Registration. With the approval of the departmental Undergraduate Credentials Committee and their academic adviser, student can design their own plan of study, which will result in a bachelor of science in mathematical sciences. This student-planned curriculum must contain at least 24 credits in upper level (300-500) mathematical sciences courses.

Cooperative Education Program
The Cooperative Education Program is available toqualifying students pursuing undergraduate degrees in mathematicalsciences. For a full description of this program, see the Division of University Outreach chapter of this bulletin.

Minor requirements – general
A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be achieved in the minor, and credit for100-level mathematical sciences courses cannot be applied to the minor. Mathematical sciences majors cannot minor in a mathematical sciences program.

Minor in mathematical sciences
A minor in mathematical sciences consists of at least 18 credits offered by the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and the Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research, including a minimum of three credits of calculus and nine upper-level credits. Neither STAT 208, STAT 210 nor any 100-level course can be used to fulfill the required 18 credits.

Post-baccalaureate Programs in Mathematical Sciences
For more information about these programs consult the Graduate and Professional Programs Bulletin.

Second baccalaureate degree
For students possessing a bachelor’s degree and wishing to gain undergraduate preparation in an area of mathematical sciences, second baccalaureate degrees are offered through the department. For detailed information about these programs consult the Academic Regulations and General Degree Requirements chapter of the student bulletin.