Mathematics, Applied Mathematics Concentration (BS in Mathematics)
Mathematics Major
The study of mathematics is motivated by its wide applicability and its intrinsic beauty. Mathematical theories often grow out of problems that appear in the physical and biological sciences, engineering, economics, finance and the social sciences. The mathematics program at William and Mary allows students to design a major based on their own interests and career goals and prepares students for post-baccalaureate employment and for further study of mathematical sciences and related disciplines. There are four concentrations within the major - the Standard Concentration, the Applied Mathematics Concentration, the Pre-College Mathematics Teaching Concentration, and the Statistics Concentration. Study options include applied and pure mathematics, operations research, statistics, and teaching at the elementary or secondary level. Students can also design elective programs needed for careers in actuarial science and industrial mathematics, for interdisciplinary work in fields such as economics, business and social sciences, or for graduate studies.
Information about the mathematics major, career choices and appropriate courses of study is available from the department’s academic advisors and the Office of Career Services as well as informally from the mathematics faculty.
Mathematics Major with Applied Mathematics Concentration
This concentration is designed for students who want to pursue applications of mathematics or a double major in mathematics and another discipline. The requirements of the Mathematics Major with Applied Mathematics Concentration are:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A Core Consisting Of | ||
| MATH 109 & 109L | Linear Algebra and Computational Linear Algebra Lab | 4 |
| MATH 111 | Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH 131 | Calculus I for Life Sciences | |
| MATH 112 | Calculus II | 4 |
| or MATH 132 | Calculus II for Life Sciences | |
| MATH 212 | Introduction to Multivariable Calculus | 3-4 |
| or MATH 213 | Multivariable Calculus for Science and Mathematics | |
| MATH 214 | Foundations of Math | 3 |
| Computer Proficiency Requirements | ||
| CSCI 241 | Data Structures | 3 |
| or MATH 240 | Programming for the Mathematical Sciences | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Abstract Algebra | ||
| Honors Abstract Algebra | ||
| Elementary Analysis | ||
| Honors Elementary Analysis | ||
| Select one of the following options: 1 | 18-21 | |
| Option 1: | ||
At least six distinct three-credit mathematicss courses at the 300-400 level with at least four being chosen from the applied mathematics courses listed below 2 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Honors | ||
| Honors | ||
Plus at least five distinct three-credit mathematic courses at the 300-400 level with at least four being chosen from the applied mathematics courses listed below 2 | ||
| Applied Mathematics Courses | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Operations Research: Deterministic Models | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Biology | ||
or MATH 356 | Random Walks in Biology | |
| Matrix Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | ||
or MATH 414 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | |
| Operations Research: Stochastic Models | ||
| Nonlinear Dynamics | ||
or MATH 442 | Partial Differential Equations | |
| Probability | ||
| Mathematics of Financial Economics | ||
| Total Hours | 54-58 | |
- 1
Note that in both of the options, students with at least a 3.0 grade point average, with permission, may take graduate level courses from the Computational Operations Research M.S. degree program for undergraduate level credit to count towards the Applied Mathematics Concentration.
- 2
Not including MATH 400, 495, 496 or MATH course counted as the COLL 400 requirement`(for a total of at least seven upper-division courses).
- 3
Not including MATH 400 or MATH courses counted as the COLL 400 requirement (for a total of at least eight upper-division courses)
Major Writing Requirement
A student in any Mathematics major concentration satisfies the upper-division mathematics writing requirement in one of the following ways:
- Completion of the course MATH 400 Mathematical Connections
- Completion of an Honors Thesis in MATH 495 Honors-MATH 496 Honors with a grade of C- or better.
- Completion of MATH 300 Mathematical Sciences Writing with a grade of C- or better, through the completion of a supervised expository individual writing project.
Options 1 and 2 above will also count as the student’s COLL 400 requirement. A student should only choose option 3 in MATH 300 Mathematical Sciences Writing if that student is taking the COLL 400 requirement in another department (through an honors thesis or otherwise). For option 1 in MATH 400 Mathematical Connections, the student just needs to register for this course. For options 2 and 3, the student should first communicate with a faculty member about supervising the honors thesis or writing project. The student can then register for the course in a section corresponding to the faculty member who has agreed to supervise the student. Note that the MATH 400 Mathematical Connections option above is a standard course which meets regularly, while the other two options are individually supervised and do not have a lecture component. For students In the Pre-College Mathematics Teaching Concentration, the writing requirement must incorporate some element of the history of mathematics.
Enriching the Mathematics Major
The requirements described below are the minimal requirements for the mathematics major, and most mathematics majors take courses beyond that minimum. Students wishing to obtain a deeper understanding of mathematics (e.g., in preparation for graduate school) should take additional upper-division courses. Second courses to make year-long sequences in linear algebra, analysis, abstract algebra, numerical analysis, statistics, or operations research are particularly recommended.
Advanced Standing
Entering students may receive credit for mathematics courses through AP or IB and transfer credit. In each of the mathematics major concentrations, well-prepared students may begin their studies beyond MATH 111 Calculus I without receiving credit for earlier courses listed in the core requirements section of each concentration. Each skipped course for which the student does not receive credit must be replaced by an additional three-credit 300-400 level mathematics course.