Mathematical Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in operations research

Special requirements

The B.S. in Mathematical Sciences requires a minimum of 120 credits. Along with the general education requirements of the College of Humanities and Sciences and the undergraduate degree requirements, students are required to take core courses and fulfill specific requirements for the degree.

Based on the results of the Mathematics Placement Test, students may be required to take MATH 151. No more than one course in mathematics (MATH) at the 100 level can count for the general requirements toward the degree. Credit for 100-level mathematical sciences courses cannot be applied toward the mathematical sciences courses required for the major in mathematical sciences.

Double major

Students who meet the requirements for two of the concentrations within the mathematical sciences curriculum can receive a double major. To initiate a double major, students must obtain the appropriate form from the Office of Records and Registration.

Second baccalaureate degree

For students possessing a bachelor’s degree and wishing to gain undergraduate preparation in an area of mathematical sciences, second baccalaureate degrees are offered through the department. For detailed information about these programs, refer to the “Academic regulations and general degree requirement” section of this bulletin

Degree requirements for Mathematical Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in operations research

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Natural science sequence

Electives

For the operations research concentration, three electives must be chosen from the following list:

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
MATH 200	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	4
UNIV 101	Introduction to the University	1
UNIV 111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I	Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1	3
General education course 2		3
General education course 2		3
	Term Hours:	14
Spring semester
HUMS 202	Choices in a Consumer Society	1
MATH 201	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	4
STAT 212	Concepts of Statistics (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) 1	3
UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II	Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1	3
General education course 2		3
	Term Hours:	14
Sophomore year
Fall semester
MATH 300	Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning	3
OPER 327	Mathematical Modeling	3
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1	3
Computing sequence:
CMSC 245 or CMSC 255 or EGRE 245	Introduction to Programming Using C++ or Introduction to Programming or Engineering Programming	3-4
Foreign language 101		3
	Term Hours:	15-16
Spring semester
MATH 307	Multivariate Calculus	4
MATH 310	Linear Algebra	3
Computing sequence: Select appropriate matching course from previous semester.
CMSC 246 or CMSC 256 or EGRE 246	Advanced Programming Using C++ or Data Structures and Object Oriented Programming or Advanced Engineering Programming	3
Foreign language 102		3
General education course 2		3
	Term Hours:	16
Junior year
Fall semester
STAT 309	Introduction to Probability Theory	3
Concentration elective		3-4
Experiential fine arts		1-3
General education course 2		3
Natural sciences sequence (select one of the following) 1		4-5
BIOL 151 & BIOZ 151	Introduction to Biological Sciences I and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I	-
CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I	-
PHYS 201	General Physics I	-
PHYS 207	University Physics I	-
	Term Hours:	14-18
Spring semester
STAT 403	Introduction to Stochastic Processes	3
Concentration elective		3-4
Natural sciences elective 3		3-5
Natural sciences sequence (Select one of the following with appropriate matching course from previous semester.)		4-5
BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152	Introduction to Biological Sciences II and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II	-
CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II	-
PHYS 202	General Physics II	-
PHYS 208	University Physics II	-
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	16-20
Senior year
Fall semester
MATH 401	Introduction to Abstract Algebra	3
OPER 427	Deterministic Operations Research	3
OPER 428	Stochastic Operations Research	3
SSOR 480	Consulting Using Advanced Analytics	3
SSOR 485	Career Planning and Professional Development for Statistics and Operations Research	1
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	16
Spring semester
Concentration elective		3-4
Open electives		12
	Term Hours:	15-16
	Total Hours:	120-130

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in Mathematical Sciences with concentration in operations research in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to nine hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 141 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the theory and application of mathematical programming and of stochastic models. They will know how to obtain, analyze and interpret data, and learn how to use software common in the industry, allowing them to model operations research problems. Students will know how to clearly and concisely present technical information in writing and through oral presentations. The program will also provide students with opportunities to participate in research projects, internships and other training programs where they develop the skills to evaluate, refine and apply what they learn in the classroom.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours including MATH 200, MATH 201 and MATH 307 (calculus sequence), STAT 212, STAT 309, OPER 327 and STAT 403; an overall minimum GPA of 3.0; and a minimum GPA of 3.3 in mathematics, operations research and statistics course work. Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may submit GRE scores to receive further consideration. The adviser of graduate studies for the mathematical sciences master’s program with a concentration in operations research will provide guidance of students in this program. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the faculty adviser to the operations research concentration of the M.S. program before they have completed 90 credits. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year. 

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate mathematical sciences adviser and the faculty adviser to the graduate program.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. Three reference letters (at least one from a Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research faculty member) must accompany the application.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences degree with concentration in operations research will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. Nine of these credits are shared with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate operations research and statistics courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are in the table below.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.