Mathematics major offers an exciting intellectual challenge and many opportunities. Mathematics also makes an excellent second major or minor for students in a variety of fields, including physics, biology, computer science, statistics, and economics.

The Department of Mathematics recently updated its major and minor requirements to make our programs more contemporary and responsive to student needs.

We offer three undergraduate major tracks , each designed to give students a broad background in the theory and practice of modern mathematics. All three tracks lead to a degree of either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics . The tracks are complementary and differ mainly in their emphasis.

A Bachelor of Science in the Pure Mathematics or Applied Mathematics tracks provides a solid foundation for graduate study in mathematics. A Bachelor of Arts in these tracks, while providing a strong background in mathematics, permits a wider selection of electives and should meet the needs of students interested in careers in teaching or graduate study in fields such as medicine, dentistry, or law.

The third new track in Computational Mathematics prepares students for careers as mathematicians in government and industrial settings where mathematical modeling and computation play a large role. This track is intended for students wishing to enter the job market immediately after graduation.

All students must satisfy the general requirements of the GW and Columbian College of Arts and Sciences: the General Curriculum Requirements (which most students mostly satisfy during their first two years), and a total of at least 120 credit hours for graduation.

All mathematics students begin their study with the same prerequisite courses:

• Calculus sequence: Math 31 (or Math 20 and 21), then Math 32 and 33,
• Two new gateway courses: Math 71, an Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning, and Math 72, an Introduction to Computing in Mathematics (to be offered beginning in Spring 2009),
• Math 84, Linear Algebra I (formerly Math 124).

• Additional 21credit hours (7 courses) for the Bachelor of Arts, or
• Additional 27 credit hours (9 courses) for the Bachelor of Science.

• algebra : Math 121 and either Math 122 or 125,
• analysis : Math 139 and 140, and
• 9 additional credit hours (for the Bachelor of Arts) or 15 additional credit hours (for the Bachelor of Science) of 100-level courses in mathematics, approved by the student's mathematics department advisor.

• analysis : Math 139,
• differential equations : Math 142 and 143,
• numerical analysis : Math 153,
• mathematical modeling : Math 159, and
• 6 additional credit hours (for the Bachelor of Arts) or 12 additional credit hours (for the Bachelor of Science) of 100-level courses in mathematics, approved by the student's mathematics department advisor.

• differential equations : Math 142 and 143,
• numerical analysis : Math 153,
• mathematical modeling : Math 159,
• either statistics Stat 157 or computer science CS 49, 50, 100 or 102, and
• 6 additional credit hours (for the Bachelor of Arts) or 12 additional credit hours (for the Bachelor of Science) 100-level courses in mathematics, approved by the student's mathematics department advisor.

Students who have taken a significant amount of mathematics, but not enough for a major may graduate with a Minor in mathematics. This requires 18 hours in mathematics courses, including Math 84, of which at least 9 hours are 100-level or higher, chosen in consultation with a mathematics department advisor.

A student who wishes to do a research project and write a senior thesis can graduate with Special Honors . To do so, a student must meet the general requirements stated under University Regulations and maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.5 in all major courses. To obtain Special Honors, a student must enroll in an 3 additional credit hours of Math 195 (usually as a fourth year student) and an oral defense of a senior thesis.

Note on new requirements : Effective May 2008, students can earn a degree in mathematics by satisfying the requirements listed above. Students who declare a major in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics before the publication of the 2009-2010 Bulletin (in Spring 2008) may also earn a degree in mathematics by satisfying the requirements listed in the 2008-2009 Bulletin.