Mathematics, Standard 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.
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.
The Standard Mathematics Concentration
Required Credit Hours: 44-47
This is the most flexible of the three concentrations, allowing the widest choice of electives. Students who are considering graduate study often pursue this concentration, as do some students aiming for pre-college teaching, but the flexible requirements of the concentration are also appropriate for students with other goals. The major requirements of the Standard Concentration are:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A Core Consisting Of | ||
| Linear Algebra and Computational Linear Algebra Lab | ||
| Calculus I | ||
or MATH 131 | Calculus I for Life Sciences | |
| Calculus II | ||
or MATH 132 | Calculus II for Life Sciences | |
| Introduction to Multivariable Calculus | ||
or MATH 213 | Multivariable Calculus for Science and Mathematics | |
| Foundations of Math | ||
| Major Writing Requirement 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Mathematical Connections | ||
| Honors and Honors (with C- or higher) | ||
| Mathematical Sciences Writing (with C- or higher) | ||
| Computer Proficiency Requirements | ||
| Modern Programming Fundamentals (C- or higher required) | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Abstract Algebra | ||
or MATH 307H | Honors Abstract Algebra | |
and | ||
| Elementary Analysis | ||
or MATH 311H | Honors Elementary Analysis | |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following options: | ||
| Option 1: | ||
3 three-credit mathematics courses at the 400-level 2 | ||
2 other three-credit mathematics courses at the 300-400 level 3 | ||
| Option 2 (Honors): | ||
| In addition to the MATH 495/MATH 496 courses required for Honors, students must take | ||
3 other three-credit 400 level mathematics courses 4 | ||
1 three-credit mathematics course at the 300-400 level 5 | ||
- 1
MATH 400 or MATH 495/496 will also count as the student’s COLL 400 requirement. For MATH 400, the student just needs to register for this course.
A student should only choose MATH 300, if that student is taking the COLL 400 requirement in another department (through an honors thesis or otherwise). For MATH 300 or MATH 495/496, 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 option above is a standard course which meets regularly, while the other two options are individually supervised and do not have a lecture component.
- 2
not including MATH 400, 495, 496, or MATH course used for COLL 400 requirement
- 3
cannot include both MATH 351 Probability and Statistics for Scientists and MATH 451 Probability (for a total of at least seven upper-division courses that cannot include MATH 400 Mathematical Connections, MATH 495 Honors, or MATH 496 Honors).
- 4
not including MATH 400 Mathematical Connections or MATH course used for COLL 400 requirement.
- 5
cannot include both MATH 351 Probability and Statistics for Scientists and MATH 451 Probability (for a total of at least eight upper-division courses that cannot include MATH 400 Mathematical Connections).
Additional Information
With permission of the department chair, certain three-credit upper-division mathematical courses from other departments (e.g., Computer Science, Economics, or Physics) may be used as upper-division elective courses in this requirement. Mathematics courses from other institutions (other than Study Abroad), taken after matriculation at William & Mary, cannot transfer for credit towards a Mathematics major.
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.