Mathematical Sciences
Phone: 703-993-1460
Web: math.gmu.edu
Faculty
- Professors: Alligood, Colonna, Fischer (chair), Kulesza, B. Lawrence, J. Lawrence, Levy, Morris, Polyak, Sachs, Saperstone, Sauer (CAS Distinguished Scholar), Shapiro, Singman, Soltan, Struppa, Walnut
- Associate professors: Anderson, Gabel, Kiley, Lamba, Lim, Lin, Wanner, Zoltek
- Assistant professors: Agnarsson, Goldin, Sander, Zietsman
- Adjuncts: Ailes, Lieberman, Lightbourne, Perencevich, Shaw, Wallace, Zampedro
- Term instructors: Crossin, Granfield, Nuttall, O'Beirne, O'Brien, Orlova-Shokry, Pilley,
- Affiliates: Loustaunau, Namiki, Peterson
The degree programs in mathematics serve the needs of students with various interests and career goals. 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 chemistry, economics, physics, computer science, or engineering.
Graduating seniors are required to have an exit interview.
Course Work
The Mathematical Sciences Department offers all course work designated MATH in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
Mathematics, BA
In addition to satisfying university-wide general education requirements and requirements for the BA degree in CAS, students 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 2.00 may be applied toward the major.
- 26 credits of required MATH courses: MATH 113, 114, 125, 203, 213 or 215, 214 or 216, 290, and 322
- 12 credits of electives in MATH numbered above 300. CS 112 is recommended.
Mathematics, BS
In 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 2.00 may be applied toward the major.
Students may pursue a traditional mathematics program, or a concentration in actuarial mathematics or applied mathematics.
Mathematics core requirements: 23 credits of required MATH courses from MATH 113, 114, 203, 213 or 215, 214 or 216, 290, and 322
Science, accounting, and economics requirements:
For all students, 8 credits of a laboratory science sequence selected from one of the following:
- BIOL 213 and 303 or 304
- CHEM 211 and 212
- GEOL 101 and 102
- PHYS 160, 260, 261
For students in the traditional mathematics program and applied mathematics concentration, a second year of science selected from one of the following three options:
- A second course sequence from the list above
- Credits from more advanced courses in biology, chemistry, geology, and physics (but only courses acceptable for credit toward a natural science major)
- PHYS 262, 263
For students in the concentration in actuarial mathematics, 3 credits of ACCT 203 and 6 credits of economics, including ECON 103 (3 credits) and either ECON 306 or 310, or FNAN 321. (The Economics Department has agreed to waive ECON 104 as a prerequisite for ECON 306 for mathematics majors.)
- Computational requirement: 4 credits of CS 112 for all students; for students in the actuarial concentration, 3 credits of STAT 362
Program and concentration-specific requirements:
- For students in traditional mathematics, 24 credits of MATH (MATH 125, 315, 316, and 321 or 431) and 12 credits of course work above MATH 300
- For students in the actuarial mathematics concentration, 24 credits of MATH (MATH 351, 352, 551, 554, 555, 556) and 6 credits from MATH 441, 442, or 446
- For students in the applied mathematics concentration, 24 credits of MATH 125, 315, 351, 413, 414, and 446; and 6 credits of course work above MATH 300
The department recommends that a two-year proficiency in French, German, or Russian be demonstrated.
For math majors:
- MATH 105, 106, 108, 110, 111, 271, and 272 do not satisfy requirements for a major in mathematics.
For non-math majors:
- MATH 108, 110, and 111 are designed for students in the social and behavioral sciences.
- Liberal arts majors are advised to take MATH 106, 110, or 111.
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:
- 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; for the schedule, go to cas.gmu.edu/math_placement.
- 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 they 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 are 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.
- MATH 105 does not fulfill the university quantitative reasoning requirement.
- 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.
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:
| MATH 113 | MATH 105 or 108 |
| MATH 351 or STAT 344 | MATH 110 |
| MATH 441 | MATH 111 |
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason 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 Mathematics
To receive a minor in mathematics, students must complete 21 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00, distributed as follows:
- Five required courses (15 credits): MATH 125, 203, 213 or 215, 214 or 216, and 290
- 3 credits from any math course that requires MATH 290 as a prerequisite
- One elective course in math at the 300 or 400 level, or STAT 344
Students must earn a 2.00 or better in MATH 290 and the courses chosen to fulfill the second requirement.
Minor in Mathematics for Undergraduates in the School of Management
To receive this minor, students must complete 20 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00, including MATH 113, 114, 203, 213, and 351; and one course chosen from MATH 352, 441, and 554.
For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.
Math Tutoring Center
The 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.
Math Learning Center
For 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 enables students to enroll in MATH 105, 106, 108, 110, 111, or 125.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should consult the CEHD chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.
Mathematics, Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree
This five-year degree program allows academically strong students to obtain a BS and MS by successfully completing 144 credits within five academic years and one summer. Well-prepared students are admitted to this program on completion of 90 credits, take selected graduate courses during their senior year, and are able to use up to 6 graduate credits to partially satisfy requirements for the undergraduate degree. Upon completion of that degree and with satisfactory graduate level performance (3.00) in graduate courses, students are given advanced standing in the master's program and complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master's degree. All other master's degree requirements must be met.
Graduate Program
Mathematics, MS
The 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.
Assistantships
A limited number of merit-based teaching assistantships are available for 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 Math Learning Center.
Admission Requirements
In addition to fulfilling 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 Requirements
Standard Program
In addition to fulfilling degree requirements for graduate study, students must complete 30 credits distributed as follows.
- 6 credits of MATH 621 and 675
- 6 approved graduate courses (18 credits), at least four of which are MATH (All six courses must be approved by the student's advisor. Courses not listed as MATH courses must be approved by the Graduate Committee.)
- Research/creative component (see below)
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 degree requirements for graduate study, students must complete 30 credits distributed as follows.
- 12 credits of MATH 621, 675, 677 or 678, and MATH 685/CSI 717
- Four approved graduate courses (12 credits), at least two of which are MATH courses. All four courses must be approved by the student's advisor. Courses not listed as MATH courses must be approved by the Graduate Committee.
- Research/creative component (see below)
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 or presentation of the thesis or paper to the committee and the 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 or presentation is satisfactory.
Certificate in the Actuarial Sciences
The 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.
Requirements
Students must complete six 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 approval of the advisor.