Mathematics
Degree: B.S., Mathematics
Department of Mathematics
The interests and expertise of the mathematics faculty cover a broad range of mathematical areas, including algebra, analysis, topology, discrete mathematics, number theory, statistics, and applied mathematics. With this spectrum of faculty knowledge, the student is afforded an opportunity to learn the contemporary view of mathematics. Inside the classroom, student comprehension is the main concern of the faculty. Outside the classroom, the faculty offers opportunities for independent study, undergraduate research, and internship supervision.
Courses in mathematics vary from the theoretical to the applied. Thus, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics can be a foundation for a career in industry, government, teaching, or the pursuit of a higher degree in graduate school. The department faculty encourages double majors, giving students entrance to a wide variety of fields upon graduation. Majors in other disciplines can be enhanced with one of our minors in mathematics, applied mathematics, actuarial science, or applied statistics.
The University of Mary Washington hosts a chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, a national honorary mathematics society, and a chapter of the Mathematical Association of America. The Oscar Schultz Award in Mathematics represents the department’s top academic honor and is given annually to a junior or senior in the department. Four additional scholarships are available. The recipients of the Meredith C. Loughran ’94 Scholarship are selected based on their meritorious academic record, citizenship and leadership in public service. The Merrilyn Sawyer Dodson/class of 1968 Scholarship and the Mary Farley Talley ’66 Scholarship each recognize the scholastic achievements of mathematics majors, while the Louise W. Robertson, M.D. ’56 Scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in mathematics or a health field.
Qualified mathematics majors having at least a 3.5 GPA in mathematics courses and an overall GPA of at least 3.0 may graduate with Honors in Mathematics by completing a directed study or undergraduate research which culminates in an approved Honors thesis.
Majors are encouraged to fulfill the general education experiential learning requirement by completing URES 197 Undergraduate Research, MATH 491B Directed Study , MATH 492A Directed Study , or MATH 499 Internship . Alternatively, majors may meet this requirement by participating in an approved supervised on-campus or off-campus experiential learning activity developed in consultation with the department (such as the UMW Summer Science Institute or a similar program at another college or university). To complete the experiential learning requirement through a summer research experience, contact the department chair for more details.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 122 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 224A | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 300 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 330 | Foundations of Advanced Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 431 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 471 | Real Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 432 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 472 | Real Analysis | |
| Select an additional 12 credits from MATH or STAT courses at the 300-/400-level with at least three credits from 400-level MATH or STAT courses | 12 | |
| Select 3 additional credits from MATH or STAT courses numbered 207 or above; computer science (CPSC) courses numbered 220 or above; physics (PHYS) courses numbered 105 or above 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
| 1 | except CPSC 284 Applied Discrete Mathematics and CPSC 302 Computer Ethics; except PHYS 108 General Physics |
Mathematics majors must meet the department’s computer programming requirement by taking one of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 351A | Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| MATH 421 | Applied Partial Differential Equations | 3 |
| CPSC 110 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CPSC 219 | Foundations for Data Science | 3 |
| CPSC 220 | Computer Programming and Problem Solving | 4 |
Courses used to satisfy the programming requirement may also be used elsewhere in the major.
At most six (6) credits of directed study (MATH 491B Directed Study /MATH 492A Directed Study or STAT 491 Directed Study/STAT 492 Directed Study) will count for the major.
No internship (MATH 499 Internship or STAT 499 Internship) credits will count for the major.
General Education Requirements
The general education requirements for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degrees apply to all students who are seeking to earn an undergraduate B.A., B.S. or B.S.Ed. degree.
Students seeking a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree have a separate set of BLS general education requirements.
Electives
Elective courses are those that are not needed to fulfill a general education requirement or major program requirement but are chosen by the student to complete the 120 credits required for graduation with a B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. degree or the BLS degree. These courses may be taken graded or pass/fail (or S/U in the case of physical education and 100-level dance). No student in a regular B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. program may count more than 60 credits in a single discipline toward the 120 credits required for graduation.
Total Credits Required for the Degree: 120 credits
Mathematics Department
Julius N. Esunge, Chair
Randall D. Helmstutler, Career Advisor for Pure Mathematics
Jangwoon Lee, Career Advisor for Applied Mathematics
Debra L. Hydorn, Career Advisor for Statistics
Faculty
Professors
Julius N. Esunge
Debra L. Hydorn
Janusz Konieczny
Jangwoon Lee
J. Larry Lehman
Keith E. Mellinger
Suzanne Sumner
Associate Professors
Melody B. Denhere
Randall D. Helmstutler
Senior Lecturers
Jennifer M. Magee
Kelly W. Perkins