Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics, Computational Sciences Concentration, B.A.


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Dr. David C. Carothers,
Department Head
Phone: (540) 568-6184
Email: carothdc@jmu.edu
Location: Roop Hall, Room 305
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/mathstat

Professors

D. Carothers, R. Domangue, S. Garren, H. Hamdan, J. Hanson, P. Kohn, R. Lee, J. Liu, L. Lovin, C. Lubert, S. Lucas, J. Marafino, K. Nashimoto, S. Prins, J. Rosenhouse, J. Sochacki, L. Taalman, A. Tongen, L. Van Wyk, D. Walton, D. Warne, P. Warne

Associate Professors

E. Arnold, E. Brown, L. Chen, R. Field, N. Jahan, B. Jones, M. Oh, E. O’Shea, K. Quertermous, D. Sharma, E. Strawbridge, R. Thelwell, L. Xu

Assistant Professors

R. Busi, N. Conforti Preszler, J. Ducey, H. AH Shehadeh, J. Siegfried, A. Stevens, J. Webb, C. Williams, J. Willingham, C.Woodruff

Instructors

A. Casiple, D. Hall, G. Jansen, J. Kimmel, T. Sprolden, C. Watson

Mission Statement

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics provides a program of study in the mathematical sciences that meets the needs of a wide variety of students and makes a continuing contribution to the advancement of mathematical and statistical knowledge and its dissemination. The program provides opportunities for in-depth study that can lead to careers as mathematicians and statisticians in private and public sectors, teachers of mathematics, and further study in graduate school. The program provides support for the mathematical and statistical needs of students in the natural sciences, integrated sciences, social sciences, and professional and pre-professional programs. The program meets the general education needs of all students, providing an understanding of mathematical and statistical thinking and approaches to
problem solving.

We are committed to promoting mathematics and statistics as an art of human endeavor as well as a fundamental method of inquiry into the sciences and a vast array of other disciplines. We are committed to encouraging an attitude of appreciation and support for mathematics and statistics in current university students and, through them, the next generation of citizens. We are also committed to fostering an appreciation for the effective use of applied mathematics and statistics in connection with and support of other disciplines for those students majoring in other subjects.

Goals

As a major in mathematics or statistics, a student can expect to use and build on skills such as:

  • Thinking critically
  • Formulating and solving problems
  • Communicating solutions clearly, both orally and in writing

These skills have been gained in previous courses in mathematics, statistics and other areas. As the breadth of knowledge of the subject grows, students gain an increased understanding and appreciation of the fact that mathematics is truly a universal language whose creation and applications cut across all boundaries of race, class, culture and time.

There also will be opportunities for students to experience the challenges and rewards of faculty-mentored research, individually or as a member of a team, as they investigate mathematical and statistical problems that extend beyond those normally encountered in the classroom. Students increase their abilities to prove theorems, understand complex structures and apply mathematics and statistics in many real-world settings. The program students choose will make it possible for them to acquire strong preparation for graduate work or for professional applications in mathematics and statistics, teaching, natural and social sciences or other technical areas.

Programs

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the B.A. and B.S. degrees with a major in mathematics and the B.S. degree with a major in statistics. There is a program for a major in mathematics that qualifies a student for initial teaching licensure. A concentration in computational sciences is also available. Minors are offered in mathematics and statistics.

The department also recognizes the importance of providing courses for non-specialists who need to make effective use of mathematics or statistics in their chosen careers.

The university is an institutional/educational member of the American Mathematical Society, the American Statistical Association, the Mathematical Association of America, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the numerous undergraduate research opportunities as well as individual and small group projects available in the department. Opportunities exist through the Center for Mathematical Modeling, the Statistical Consulting Center, honors theses and independent studies with individual faculty mentors.

Majors in the department are expected to participate in assessment activities. Assessment information is used to assist faculty members in modifying curricula.

Major Requirements 

Mathematics requirements depend on whether or not the student is seeking secondary teaching licensure. All students must complete 29-31 credit hours of the following required core mathematics courses and 12 credit hours of mathematics courses beyond the core.

Additional Requirements for Students Seeking Secondary Teaching Licensure

  • Students seeking secondary teaching licensure must (in addition to the required core courses):
  • Complete the 22-24 credit hours that comprise the preprofessional education program in secondary education.
  • Complete 12 credit hours of mathematics courses:
  • One of MATH 310     or MATH 315    

Students seeking secondary teaching licensure earn the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree and then complete the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. It is necessary to be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in pre-professional education courses. For a full description of the program in secondary education, refer to the College of Education, Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Seeking Secondary Teaching Licensure

Students not seeking secondary teaching licensure track must complete (in addition to the required core courses) one of the following options, each consisting of 12 credit hours of mathematics courses:

The option chosen and the courses chosen to satisfy an option by a student are made in consultation with the student’s adviser and are dependent upon the student’s interests and career objectives. Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in mathematics are strongly urged to complete both MATH 411   and MATH 431   .

Degree Requirements


Required Courses


  • General Education  41 Credit Hours 1, 2
  • Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours
  • Philosophy course (in addition to General Education ) 3 Credit Hours
  • University electives 19-35 Credit Hours
  • Major requirements (listed below) 41-43 Credit Hours

Footnotes


1 MATH 231  or MATH 235  must be included and students seeking secondary teaching licensure must include PSYC 160 .
2 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.

Total: 120 Credit Hours


Major Requirements


Mathematics requirements depend on whether or not the student is seeking secondary teaching licensure. All students must complete 29-31 credit hours of the following required core mathematics courses and 12 credit hours of mathematics courses beyond the core.

Footnote


1 MATH 238. Linear Algebra with Differential Equations  may be substituted for MATH 300  and MATH 336  if the student is completing a double major, seeking the computational sciences concentration, or received credit for MATH 238  before declaring a math major.

Total: 29-31 Credit Hours


Additional Requirements for Students Seeking Secondary Teaching Licensure


Students seeking secondary teaching licensure must (in addition to the required core courses):

  • Complete the 22-24 credit hours that comprise the pre-professional education program in secondary education.
  • Complete 12 credit hours of mathematics courses:

Students seeking secondary teaching licensure earn the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree and then complete the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

It is necessary to be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in pre-professional education courses. For a full description of the program in secondary education, refer to the College of Education Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education .

Additional Requirements for Students Not Seeking Secondary Teaching Licensure


Students not seeking secondary teaching licensure track must complete (in addition to the required core courses) one of the following options, each consisting of 12 credit hours of mathematics courses:

The option chosen and the courses chosen to satisfy an option by a student are made in consultation with the student’s adviser and are dependent upon the student’s interests and career objectives. Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in mathematics are strongly urged to complete both MATH 411  and MATH 431 .

Recommended Schedule for Majors Seeking Secondary Licensure


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Third Year


Choose two of the following: 6 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


  • Pre-professional education requirements and General Education  courses/electives 21 Credit Hours

Total: 30 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule for Majors Not Seeking Secondary Licensure


First Year


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Third Year


  • General Education  courses/electives 18-21 Credit Hours
  • Mathematics required or elective courses numbered MATH 310  or above 6-9 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


  • Mathematics required or elective courses MATH 310  or above 6-9 Credit Hours
  • Electives 18-21 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Concentration Requirements


For students majoring in mathematics or physics, the Departments of Mathematics and Physics offer a coordinated sequence of courses that prepare students for careers in the rapidly expanding field of computer modeling of complex systems. This  program is structured so that students can earn a major in one department and a minor in the other. Students need not decide on a major field until their junior year.

The computational sciences concentration will prepare students to design and use computer models in any of those areas in which applied mathematics is used to understand complex systems (meteorology, astronomy, geology/ geophysics,  oceanography, physics, etc.). The preparation is appropriate for both those students who plan to enter the work force after graduation and those who plan to enter graduate school in applied mathematics, physics, or one of the other fields mentioned above.

Students should complete the following courses during the first two years of the program:

During their junior and senior years, students will normally complete the necessary course work for their major and minor. Mathematics majors will take PHYS 340. Mechanics , and MATH/PHYS 365, Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics, counted as a physics course to complete their physics minor. Physics majors will take MATH/PHYS 365 counted as a mathematics course and either MATH 337. Methods of Applied Calculus , or MATH 440. Fourier Analysis and Partial Differential Equation , to complete their mathematics minor. Seniors in either major must complete at least one topics or independent study/research course that involves computer modeling.

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