BS in Mathematics

An undergraduate student writing on a notepad

The BS curriculum requires two more upper-level mathematics electives than the Bachelor of Arts program and offers greater immersion in the field. This is the recommended track for all students who can fit those additional courses into their program.

The BS is especially advantageous to those who want to pursue graduate study in mathematics or closely related fields. Review the course requirements and talk with a mathematics advisor for ways to make completing the BS as a double-major feasible.

Apply to GW

Departmental Honors

Declare a Major

Undergraduate Advisors

Degree Program Planners

Learn more about the different mathematics concentrations on the Undergraduate page.

Pure Concentration (PDF)

Applied Concentration (PDF)

Interdisciplinary Concentration (PDF)

Course Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

Program-specific curriculum:

Code	Title	Credits
Required
MATH 1231	Single-Variable Calculus I (or the equivalent)
MATH 1232	Single-Variable Calculus II
MATH 2185	Linear Algebra I for Math Majors ^*
or MATH 2184 & MATH 3125	Linear Algebra I and Linear Algebra II
MATH 2233	Multivariable Calculus
MATH 2971	Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
or MATH 2971W	Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
One course (3 credits) selected from the following:
CSCI 1011	Introduction to Programming with Java
CSCI 1012	Introduction to Programming with Python
CSCI 1041	Introduction to FORTRAN Programming
CSCI 1111	Introduction to Software Development
CSCI 1121	Introduction to C Programming
CSCI 1131	Introduction to Programming with C
For students in the pure mathematics concentration, an alternative course may substitute for the CSCI course with the approval of the department.

*Of the two options for linear algebra, MATH 2185 is preferred.

Concentration requirement

All students must complete requirements for one of the following three concentrations:

Pure mathematics concentration

Code	Title	Credits
Required
MATH 4121	Introduction to Abstract Algebra I
MATH 4239	Real Analysis I
or MATH 4239W	Real Analysis I
Two courses (6 credits) from the following:
MATH 3125	Linear Algebra II
MATH 3257	Introduction to Complex Variables
MATH 3806	Introduction to Topology
MATH 4122	Introduction to Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4240	Real Analysis II
Five additional mathematics (MATH) courses (15 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges. For students who complete the major requirements for a bachelor of science in astronomy and astrophysics, biology, biophysics, chemistry, data science, economics, physics, statistics, finance, information systems, or any major in SEAS, this requirement is reduced to three additional MATH courses (9 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges.

Applied mathematics concentration

Code	Title	Credits
Required
MATH 3342	Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH 3343	Partial Differential Equations
MATH 3553	Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MATH 3359	Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
MATH 4239	Real Analysis I
or MATH 4239W	Real Analysis I
Four additional mathematics (MATH) courses (12 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges. For students who complete the major requirements for a bachelor of science in astronomy and astrophysics, biology, biophysics, chemistry, data science, economics, physics, statistics, finance, information systems, or any major in SEAS, this requirement is reduced to two additional MATH courses (6 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges.

Interdisciplinary mathematics concentration

Code	Title	Credits
Required
MATH 3342	Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH 3553	Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MATH 3359	Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
Six additional mathematics (MATH) courses (18 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges. For students who complete the major requirements for a bachelor of science in astronomy and astrophysics, biology, biophysics, chemistry, data science, economics, physics, statistics, finance, information systems, or any major in SEAS, this requirement is reduced to four additional MATH courses (12 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges.
Minor or second major requirement—Students in the interdisciplinary concentration must complete an approved minor or second major in a field in which mathematics is applied. The pre-approved fields are astronomy and astrophysics, biology, bioinformatics, biophysics, chemistry, data science, economics, physics, statistics, finance, information systems, or any major in SEAS.