Mathematical SciencesWeb: math.gmu.edu FacultyProfessors: Alligood, Colonna, Fischer, Kulesza, B. Lawrence, J. Lawrence, Levy, Morris, Polyak, Sachs (chair), Saperstone, Sauer (CAS Distinguished Scholar), Shapiro, Singman, Soltan, Struppa, Walnut Associate professors: Gabel, Kiley, Lim, Lin, Zoltek Assistant professors: AgnarssonAnderson, Goldin, Lamba, Sander, Wanner, Zietsman Adjuncts: Ailes, Lieberman, Lightbourne, Perencevich, Shaw, Wallace, Zampedro Term instructors: Crossin, Granfield, Nuttall, O'Beirne, O'Brien, Orlova-Shokry, Pilley, Affiliates: Loustaunau, Peterson The degree programs in mathematics serve the needs of students with various interests and career goals from business, industry, and research to graduate and professional school. Students may pursue the standard program or pursue a program focused on either actuarial mathematics or applied mathematics. Students may complement other interests by taking a double major in mathematics and a related field, such as finance, economics, physics, computer science, or engineering. Graduating seniors are required to have an exit interview and take an assessment exam. Course WorkThe Mathematical Sciences Department offers all course work designated MATH in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog. Undergraduate ProgramsMathematics, BAIn addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for the BA degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, candidates for the degree in mathematics must present the following. (Through the course work below, math majors satisfy the university-wide requirement in quantitative reasoning.) A maximum of 6 credits of grades below 2.0 may be applied toward the major.
Mathematics, BSIn addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree, students majoring in mathematics must present the following. (Through the course work below, math majors satisfy the university-wide requirement in quantitative reasoning and natural sciences.) A maximum of 6 credits of grades below 2.0 may be applied toward the major. Students may pursue a traditional mathematics program or a concentration in actuarial mathematics or applied mathematics. 1. Mathematics core requirements: 23 credits of required MATH courses from MATH 113, 114, 203, 213 or 215, 216, 290, and 322 2. Science, accounting, and economics requirements:
3. Computational requirement:
4. Program and concentration-specific requirements:
The department recommends that a two-year proficiency in French, German, or Russian be demonstrated. For math majors: 1. MATH 105, 106, 108, 110, 111, 271, and 272 do not satisfy the requirements for a major in mathematics. 2. MATH 214 is not recommended for mathematics majors. In special circumstances, a student may substitute MATH 214 for MATH 216. For non-math majors: 1. MATH 108, 110, and 111 are designed for students in the social and behavioral sciences. 2. Liberal arts majors are advised to take MATH 106, MATH 110, or MATH 111. 3. Students in the natural sciences who plan to do graduate work are advised to add to their basic calculus sequence courses from MATH 313, 314, 351, 352, 382, 441, 442, 446, and 447. For majors and non-math majors: 1. The following math courses have as a prerequisite a specified score on the Math Placement Test: MATH 105, 106, 108, 110, 111, 113. The Math Placement Test is given frequently. Visit cas.gmu.edu/math_placement online for the schedule. 2. Students who do not achieve the necessary test score to take the math course they need may go to the Math Literacy Center (see below) or may study and retake the test on their own. If they do not complete the relevant program in the center or do not achieve the necessary score after re-taking the test, they will be dropped from the course. Depending on their test scores, students who do not place into MATH 113 will be advised to take MATH 105 or go to the Math Literacy Center to prepare for MATH 105. 3. MATH 105 does not fulfill the university quantitative reasoning requirement. 4. Students may not receive credit for both MATH 214 and 216; both MATH 213 and 215; both MATH 351 and STAT 344; and both MATH 352 and STAT 354. 5. After receiving a grade of C or better in one of the courses listed below on the left, students may not receive credit for the corresponding course on the right:
Writing-Intensive RequirementThe university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as writing intensive in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in mathematics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing MATH 290. Minor in MathematicsTo receive a minor in mathematics, students must complete 21 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.000, distributed as follows:
Students must earn a 2.000 or better in MATH 290 and the courses chosen to fulfill requirement 2. Minor in Mathematics for Undergraduates in the School of ManagementTo receive this minor, students must complete 20 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.000, including MATH 113, 114, 203, 213, and 351 and one course chosen from MATH 352, 441, and 554. For policies governing all minors, see "minors" under "The Undergraduate Academic Program" in the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. The Math Tutoring CenterThe department manages the Math Tutoring Center, which offers free tutoring for first- and second-year math courses. The tutoring is given by faculty and mathematics majors and is available on a drop-in basis with daytime and evening hours throughout the term. The Math Learning CenterFor a small fee, the Math Learning Center offers self-paced and classroom noncredit tutorial programs for students who do not place into the math course they need. Special tutors and tutorial software are available to those enrolled in the program. Successful completion of the relevant program will enable the student to enroll in MATH 105, 106, 108, 110, 111, or 125. Teacher LicensureStudents who wish to become teachers should consult the Graduate School of Education chapter and attend an information session during their sophomore year. Information Sessions for teacher licensure are offered every month. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or consult the web site at gse.gmu.edu. Graduate ProgramMathematics, MSThe Department of Mathematical Sciences offers courses in pure and applied mathematics leading to the MS in Mathematics. The program offers a standard mathematics program and an emphasis in computational and applied mathematics. AssistantshipsThe Department of Mathematical Sciences offers a limited number of merit-based teaching assistantships to students taking at least 6 graduate credits each semester. Other sources of support, such as research assistantships, are available as funding permits. Graduate students also have the opportunity to work in the Math Tutoring Center and the Math Learning Center. Admission RequirementsIn addition to fulfilling the admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. GRE scores are recommended but are not required. Students intending to pursue a certificate in the actuarial sciences must have three semesters of calculus, a course in linear algebra (equivalent to MATH 322), a calculus-based course in probability (equivalent to MATH 351), and statistics (equivalent to MATH 352). Completion of the Society of Actuaries Course I is also sufficient preparation for the certificate program. All other students must have a course in linear algebra (equivalent to MATH 322) and a course in advanced calculus (equivalent to MATH 315). Students intending to go into the computational and applied mathematics emphasis must have some computer knowledge. Degree RequirementsStandard Program In addition to fulfilling the degree requirements for graduate study, the candidate must complete 30 credits distributed as follows.
Emphasis in Computational and Applied Mathematics The emphasis in computational and applied mathematics provides students with the analytical skills and background in computational techniques most relevant to the needs of business, industry, and government. The large number of high-tech firms, telecommunications firms, and government laboratories in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area gives students an opportunity to gain practical experience and secure employment after graduation. The emphasis in computational and applied mathematics also provides the background necessary for advanced graduate work, in particular for the PhD in Computational Sciences and Informatics. In addition to fulfilling the degree requirements for graduate study, the candidate must complete 30 credits distributed as follows.
Research/Creative Component Students receiving the master's degree in mathematics are required to write a thesis or present a paper. In preparation for either option, they form a committee comprising a chair and two other faculty members. The chair and at least one other member must be from the department; one member may be from a related field. Students choosing the thesis option complete a thesis under the direction of the committee chair. The thesis work is typically completed while students are registered for 6 credits of MATH 799. A thesis proposal and thesis are submitted in accordance with university rules, and students must give an oral thesis defense. Students choosing the paper presentation option, give an oral presentation of a paper (or series of papers or book chapter) agreed to in advance by the committee. The chosen material must be distinct from work done in fulfillment of course requirements. Students choosing this option take 6 additional credits of electives. In the thesis defense or paper presentation, the student gives an oral defense/presentation of the thesis or paper to the committee and the George Mason community at large. Students are expected to respond to questions on the thesis or paper and related material. The committee determines whether the defense/presentation is satisfactory. Certificate in the Actuarial SciencesThe certificate in the actuarial sciences is designed to serve students and professionals in the Washington, D.C., area who are interested in pursuing careers as actuaries. The course content provides students specific training related to the first four courses offered by the Society of Actuaries. RequirementsStudents must complete 6 courses (18 credits): MATH 551, 554, 555, 556, and two courses chosen from MATH 653, 654, or 655. MATH 655 is recommended only for students who wish to pursue a career as a pension actuary. Substitutions for the elective courses may be made with the approval of the student's advisor. |
