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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Mathematical Sciences

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Biomathematics
Program description

The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences with concentrations in applied mathematics, biomathematics, mathematics and secondary mathematics teacher preparation. The department administers the Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences concentrations in applied mathematics or mathematics and is involved in administering the Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Modeling and Analysis. The curricula of these programs are run jointly with additional concentrations offered by 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.

Career opportunities
  • Math can be found in almost every sector of the world of work. Students majoring in math should consider if they want to use math skills directly or indirectly in the workplace. This may determine the types of experiences and further education necessary to prepare for area of interest.
  • People with math backgrounds may work in jobs with titles such as analyst, research associate, technical consultant, computer scientist, or systems engineer to name a few.
  • Math majors develop many transferable skills: critical thinking, problem diagnosis and solving, computer skills, and quantitative skills. Other important skills to develop include good reasoning, persistence, and communication, both verbal and written.
  • Seek relevant experiences through internships or part-time jobs.
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in business, economics, computers, or statistics for increased opportunities.
Change of major requirements

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Auditor Financial Analyst
  • Bioinformatics Technician
  • Computer Systems Analysts
  • Cost Estimator
  • Database Administrators
  • Database Architects
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
  • Mathematical Technicians
  • Risk Management Specialist
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Actuary
  • Medical Doctor
  • Researcher
  • Secondary School Teacher
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 201 or higher
Science required
  • 3-4 additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0 overall GPA and major GPA to graduate.

Contact information

Department name:
Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Building/room location:
Grace E. Harris Hall, 4th floor, Room 4117
Phone:
(804) 828-1301
Email:
math@vcu.edu
https://math.vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
  • Practice independent living skills (time management, self-care, & responsibility).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.  
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
  • Join a professional association as a student member such as the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM.)
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events. 
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
  • Consider applying to VCU’s daVinci Center.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • Discuss options for fulfilling your senior capstone and plan accordingly. Many students choose research, internship, service-learning or study abroad.
  • Work with a professor as a preceptor or through directed/independent study.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Attend a program through the Wellness Resource Center.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • With careful planning, a study abroad semester works well during junior or senior year.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year. 
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Take supplemental courses that will help you build your skill set and resume including internship, directed and/or independent study, labs, preceptorship and service-learning.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
  • Present at the Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Attend OMSA Tunnel of Oppression.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences. 
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
  • Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Mathematical Sciences

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Applied Mathematics | Biomathematics | General mathematical sciences | Mathematics | Secondary Teacher Preparation
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
  • Practice independent living skills (time management, self-care, & responsibility).
Experience Year 2
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.  
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
  • Join a professional association as a student member such as the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM.)
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events. 
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
  • Consider applying to VCU’s daVinci Center.
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Year 3
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • Discuss options for fulfilling your senior capstone and plan accordingly. Many students choose research, internship, service-learning or study abroad.
  • Work with a professor as a preceptor or through directed/independent study.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Attend a program through the Wellness Resource Center.
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • With careful planning, a study abroad semester works well during junior or senior year.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year. 
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Take supplemental courses that will help you build your skill set and resume including internship, directed and/or independent study, labs, preceptorship and service-learning.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
  • Present at the Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Attend OMSA Tunnel of Oppression.
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences. 
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
  • Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building.
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.