Department of Mathematics and Statistics

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.

Degree and Major Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics

Degree Requirements

Required Courses		Credit Hours
General Education1, 2		41
Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required)		0-14
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education)		3
University electives		19-35
Major requirements (listed below)		41-43
	120

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.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Degree Requirements

Required Courses	Credit Hours
General Education1, 2	41
Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education)	3-4
University electives	32-35
Major requirements (listed below)	41-43
	120

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.

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.

Core Courses Required of All Majors	Credit Hours
MATH 236-237. Calculus II-III	8
MATH 245. Discrete Mathematics	3
MATH 248. Computers and Numerical Algorithms	4
MATH 300. Linear Algebra and MATH 336. Elementary Differential Equations1	6
MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics	4
MATH 410. Advanced Calculus I	3
MATH 430. Abstract Algebra I	3
	29-31

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.

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:
  • One of MATH 310 or MATH 315
  • MATH 415
  • MATH 470
  • MATH 475

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:

• One of MATH 411, MATH 431, MATH 434 or MATH 435, and nine hours of mathematics electives 310 or above. No more than six of the nine hours may be MATH 486 and/or MATH 497.
• One of the pairs of courses MATH 426 and 427, MATH 440 and MATH 441, or MATH 448 and MATH 449, and six hours of mathematics electives numbered 310 or above.

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

First Year		Credit Hours
Skills for the 21st Century (Cluster One)		9-12
MATH 235-236. Calculus I-II		8
MATH 245. Discrete Mathematics		3
General Education courses		6-9
	30

 

Second Year	Credit Hours
MATH 237. Calculus III	4
MATH 248. Computers and Numerical Algorithms	4
MATH 300. Linear Algebra	3
MATH 336. Elementary Differential Equations	3
MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics	4
Pre-professional education requirements	6
General Education courses/electives	6
	30

 

Third Year	Credit Hours
MATH 430. Abstract Algebra I	3
Choose two of the following:	6
MATH 310. Elementary Theory of Numbers
MATH 315. The Real Number System
MATH 410. Advanced Calculus I
MATH 415. History of Mathematics
MATH 475. Fundamental Concepts of Geometry
Mathematics electives numbered 310 or above
Pre-professional education requirements and General Education courses/electives	21
	30

 

Fourth Year	Credit Hours
Choose three from the following:	9
MATH 310. Elementary Theory of Numbers
MATH 315. The Real Number System
MATH 410. Advanced Calculus I
MATH 415. History of Mathematics
MATH 470. Connections in Mathematics
MATH 475. Fundamental Concepts of Geometry
Mathematics elective(s) numbered at or above MATH 310
Pre-professional education requirements and General Education courses/electives	21
	30

Recommended Schedule for Majors Not Seeking Secondary Licensure

First Year	Credit Hours
Skills for the 21st Century (Cluster One)	9-12
MATH 235-236. Calculus I-II	8
Discrete Mathematics	3
General Education courses	6-9
	30

 

Second Year	Credit Hours
MATH 237. Calculus III	4
MATH 248. Computers and Numerical Algorithms	4
MATH 300. Linear Algebra	3
MATH 336. Elementary Differential Equations	3
MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics	4
General Education courses/electives	12
	30

 

Third Year	Credit Hours
Choose one of the following:	3
MATH 410. Advanced Calculus I
MATH 430. Abstract Algebra I
General Education courses/electives	18-21
Mathematics required or elective courses numbered 310 or above	6-9
	30

 

Fourth Year	Credit Hours
Choose one of the following:	3
MATH 410. Advanced Calculus I
MATH 430. Abstract Algebra I
Mathematics required or elective courses 310 or above	6-9
Electives	18-21
	30

Computational Sciences Concentration

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:

MATH 235-237. Calculus I-III

MATH 238. Linear Algebra with Differential Equations (MATH 300 and MATH 336 may be substituted.)

MATH 248. Computers and Numerical Algorithms

PHYS 140L-150L. General Physics Laboratory I-II

PHYS 240-260. University Physics I-III

MATH/PHYS 265. Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

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 Equations, to complete their mathematics minor. Seniors in either major must complete at least one topics or independent study/research course that involves computer modeling.

Bachelor of Science in Statistics

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a major in statistics to meet the needs of both the public and the private sectors for graduates with degrees in statistics. The required courses provide a balance of applications and theory, which allows students to prepare for immediate employment or graduate studies by proper selection of the program electives.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses	Credit Hours
General Education1, 2	41
Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education)	3-4
University electives	28-31
Major requirements (listed below)	45-47
	120

1 MATH 231 or MATH 235 must be included.

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.

Major Requirements

Requirements for a B.S. degree with a major in statistics are the following required courses and a minimum of nine credit hours from the electives listed below. Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in statistics are strongly encouraged to double-major in statistics and mathematics.

Required Courses	Credit Hours
MATH 220. Elementary Statistics1	3
MATH 236-237. Calculus II-III	8
Choose one of the following:	3-4
MATH 248. Computers and Numerical Algorithms
MATH 309. SAS Programming and Data Management
Choose one of the following:	3-4
MATH 238. Linear Algebra with Differential Equations
MATH 300. Linear Algebra
MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics	4
MATH 321. Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design	3
MATH 322. Applied Linear Regression	3
MATH 327. Categorical Data Analysis	3
MATH 421. Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis	3
MATH 426. Probability and Mathematical Statistics I	3
MATH 428. Statistical Consulting	3
Electives	6
MATH 324. Applied Nonparametric Statistics
MATH 325. Survey Sampling Methods
MATH 326. Statistical Quality Control
MATH 328. Time Series Analysis
MATH 354/BIO 454. Introduction to Biometrics
MATH 410. Advanced Calculus
MATH 423. Stochastic Processes
MATH 424. Statistical Decision Theory
MATH 427. Probability and Mathematical Statistics II
MATH 429. Research Project in Statistics
	45-47

1 Waived for those who have "C-" or better in MATH 318. No additional course will be required to substitute for MATH 220 if the requirement is waived.

Recommended Schedule for Statistics

First Year		Credit Hours
Skills for the 21st Century (Cluster One)		9
MATH 220. Elementary Statistics		3
MATH 236. Calculus II		4
MATH 309. SAS Programming and Data Management1		3
General Education courses		11
	30

 

Second Year		Credit Hours
MATH 237. Calculus III		4
MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics		4
MATH 321. Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design		3
MATH 322. Applied Linear Regression		3
General Education courses/electives		16
	30

 

Third Year		Credit Hours
MATH 300. Linear Algebra2		3
MATH 327. Categorical Data Analysis		3
General Education courses/electives		24
	30

 

Fourth Year		Credit Hours
MATH 421. Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis		3
MATH 426. Probability and Mathematical Statistics I		3
MATH 428. Statistical Consulting		3
Electives		21
	30

1 MATH 248. Computers and Numerical Algorithms may be substituted.

2 MATH 238. Linear Algebra with Differential Equations may be substituted.

Minor Requirements

Mathematics Minor

The mathematics minor is open to students not majoring in mathematics or statistics. Each student must obtain prior approval of all courses to be counted in the minor from the adviser, Dr. Peter D. Kohn, or from the department head.

A minor in mathematics requires a minimum of 18 credit hours. At least six hours must be earned within the JMU Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Core Courses		Credit Hours
MATH 235-236. Calculus I-II or MATH 232 and MATH 236		8
Mathematics courses numbered 237 or above, excluding mathematics courses numbered 301-309		10
	18

Statistics Minor

The minor in statistics is open to any student not majoring in mathematics or statistics. A minor in statistics requires a minimum of 18 credit hours. Students seeking the minor in statistics must complete one of the following options.

Option 1

Students completing Option 1 must obtain prior approval of the courses to be counted in the minor from the statistics minor adviser, Dr. Nusrat Jahan.

Required Courses		Credit Hours
MATH 322. Applied Linear Regression		3
Choose one of the following:		3-4
MATH 220. Elementary Statistics
MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics or equivalent
Choose four of the following:		12
MATH 309. SAS Programming and Data Management
MATH 321. Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design
MATH 324. Applied Nonparametric Statistics
MATH 325. Survey Sampling Methods
MATH 326. Statistical Quality Control
MATH 327. Categorical Data Analysis
MATH 328. Time Series Analysis
MATH 354/BIO 454. Introduction to Biometrics
MATH 421. Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis
MATH 423. Stochastic Processes
MATH 424. Statistical Decision Theory
MATH 426. Probability and Mathematical Statistics I
MATH 427. Probability and Mathematical Statistics II
	18-19

Option 2

Students completing Option 2 must obtain prior approval of the courses to be counted in the minor from the statistics minor adviser, Dr. Samantha Prins.

Required Courses	Credit Hours
MATH 236 and MATH 237. Calculus II & III	8
MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics	4
MATH 322. Applied Linear Regression	3
Choose two of the following:	6
MATH 321. Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design
MATH 326. Statistical Quality Control
MATH 423. Stochastic Processes
MATH 426. Probability and Mathematical Statistics I
	21

Credit by Examination

The Department of Mathematics offers credit by examination for some of the courses taught in the department. Students who want to take an examination must apply to the department head. Upon application students will receive details regarding approval to take the examination.