2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Mathematical Sciences


■ Mathematical Sciences

Phone: 703-993-1460
Web: math.gmu.edu

Faculty

Professors: Alligood, Colonna, Kulesza (undergraduate coordinator), B. Lawrence, J. Lawrence, Levy, Morris, Polyak, Sachs, Saperstone (Acting Chair), Sauer (COS distinguished scholar), Shapiro (Associate Chair), Singman, Soltan, Walnut

Associate professors: Agnarsson, Anderson, Goldin, Griva, Kiley, Lamba, Lim, Lin, Sander, Seshaiyer (graduate coordinator), Wanner, Zoltek

Assistant professors: Emelianenko

Adjuncts: Addo, Morse, Park, Preston, Roberts, Tennenbaum, Yazigi

Admin professional: O’Brien

Term instructors: Crossin, Fall, Granfield, Matveev, O’Beirne, Sausville

Affiliates: Nash

Emeritus: Cabell

The department offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in mathematics for 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 Courses  chapter of this catalog.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Mason policy 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.

Math Tutoring Center

The department manages the Math Tutoring Center, which offers free tutoring for first- and second-year math courses (math.gmu.edu/tutorcenter.htm). Tutoring is given by advanced mathematics students and available on a drop-in basis with daytime and evening hours throughout the term.

Math Learning Center

The Math Learning Center (math.gmu.edu/mathlearningcenter.htm) for a small fee 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, 108, 110, 111, 112, or 125.

Honors Program in Mathematics

Mathematics majors who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.5 in Mathematics courses and a GPA of 3.5 in all courses taken at George Mason University may apply to the departmental honors program upon completion of two MATH courses at the 300+ level (excluding MATH 400), at least one of which has MATH 290 as a prerequisite. Admission to the program will be monitored by the undergraduate committee. To graduate with honors in mathematics, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in mathematics courses and successfully complete MATH 405 and 406 with an average GPA of at least 3.5 in these two courses.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become high school teachers should consider a concentration in education, available in either the BA or BS degree programs. Students with an interest in education may also consult the College of Education and Human Development  chapter and attend an information session. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Certificate in College Teaching

A student enrolled in the MS or PhD program in mathematics who is primarily interested in pursuing a career in undergraduate education at the college level is encouraged to consider enrolling in the Higher Education Program’s College Teaching Graduate Certificate , offered through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (LA-CERG-CTCH). Credit can be earned for CTCH 685 (practicum) by working one semester as a graduate teaching assistant in the Mathematics Department.

Mathematics, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS in Mathematics within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s after the bachelor’s degree is complete.

Programs

Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate Minor

Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Program

Dual Degree

Master's Degree

Master's Level Certificate

Doctoral Degree