The Department prepares
majors for industry, teaching, or for
seeking an advanced degree in graduate studies. In addition
to coursework, students can engage in a variety of activities
outside the classroom to further their learning and education.
The
student
handbook for mathematics and statistics majors contains a
plethora of information for majors. More opportunities are outlined
below.
Help outside the
classroom
In addition to office hours offered by course
instructors, students
can visit the
Science and Math Learning Center
during open hours for help
in most
lower-level mathematics courses. If desired, students can
also
hire a mathematics tutor for individual help. A list of
mathematics tutors can be
picked up from the math department office directly outside Roop 308.
Science in London
In July 2011 a 4-credit study abroad course "Science in London" will
be offered and led by Dr. Pruett. More information.
REU
Program
JMU has been
chosen for a National
Science Foundation Research
Experiences for
Undergraduates (REU) site in mathematics. All qualified
undergraduates are encouraged to apply for this eight-week program, in
which students will work in groups of two under
the supervision of their faculty mentor. More
information
and how to apply.
NSF UBM Program
JMU was awarded a
National Science Foundation grant to establish
undergraduate research teams involving mathematics/statistics
students along with biology students. These research teams will work
together with faculty mentors from both mathematics and biology on
long-term research activities that includes an eight-week summer
research program. Applications for 2010-2011 are due April 7, 2010.
More information.
Honors Program and
Senior Honors Project
All current students are eligible to apply for the honors program if
the cumulative GPA is at least 3.25. For more information, contact
the University Honors Program.
Students with a GPA of at least 3.25 may choose to satisfy 6
credits of their mathematics elective requirements by completing a
Senior Honors Project (SHP). The SHP involves directed independent study
with a faculty member and culminates in a written Honors thesis.
Honors theses represent “substantial scholarship” and should not be
undertaken lightly. Track I and II Honors students are required to complete
an SHP. Other qualified students may elect to do so, which admits them to
Track III of the Honors Program. More information on
Honors Program options.
Interested students should read the details specific to the SHP.
Competitions
The Department offers a Problem
of the Week during the fall and spring semesters.
All students regardless of their major are welcome to
participate in the Problem of the Week.
The
COMAP Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) is an annual
international contest for high school students and college
undergraduates. There are two problems, Problem A (continuous) and
Problem B (discrete), and teams of three students have from 8pm
Thursday night until 8pm the following Monday to work on the problem of
their choice. Typically, around 800 teams representing 250 institutions
from eleven countries submit solution papers. JMU has had teams
entering the competition since
1990. In that time, we have had four Honorable Mention and four
Meritorious awards. Our best ever result was achieved in 2001 when JMU
was the only institution to have two teams each do a different problem
and both be awarded Meritorious. If you are interested in
participating in COMAP, please contact Professor
Caroline Lubert.
Undergraduate
Research
In addition to the REU
program, there
are many opportunities for
undergraduate research both over the summer and throughout the academic
year.
Graduate schools, employers, and educational organizations like to see
undergradiate research experience on resumes. Such an
opportunity
is
a unique and enlightening experience, independent of your future career
path.
Interested students should speak to a
Mathematics/Statistics faculty member
about undergraduate research opportunities.
Graduate School,
Internships, and Career Information
The
JMU Career and Academic Planning
office has information on employers, internships, job planning,
resumes, interviewing, and more. The following links contain
career and graduate school information from various mathematical and statistical
professional organizations:
