This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

The curriculum in mathematical sciences promotes understanding of the mathematical sciences and their structures, uses and relationships to other disciplines. To this end, the scholarly growth of the faculty and students in the mathematical sciences is nurtured through study, research and a high standard of teaching. The curriculum provides a sound foundation for the student seeking to enter a career with a technological orientation or for the student who wishes to pursue graduate study in applied mathematics, biomathematics, mathematics, operations research, statistics, teaching mathematics in secondary schools or related fields.

A Bachelor of Science is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and the Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research. In the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences can choose a concentration of biomathematics, which focuses on the overlap between mathematics and the disciplines of biology and medicine. This concentration covers the mathematical methods of modeling and analysis of phenomena in the life sciences.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:

Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences core outcomes

  • Solve mathematical problems
  • Solve and interpret mathematical problems which originate from applications outside of mathematics
  • Use technology to solve and/or explore mathematics problems

Biomathematics concentration-specific outcome

  • Write mathematics (not including mathematical proofs) clearly, concisely and correctly
  • Write mathematical proofs clearly, concisely and correctly
  • Read and comprehend mathematical works
  • Collaborate in projects
  • Make effective presentations to demonstrate their understanding of mathematical ideas
  • Write prose about mathematics
  • Use appropriate mathematical methods to investigate mathematical models for problems in the biological sciences