American University Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Mathematics and Statistics
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Chair Joshua Lansky
Full-time Faculty
Professor Emeritus D. Crosby, A. Enayat, R. Holzsager, B. Korin, S. Schot
Professor J. Adler, S. Casey, M. Gray, J. Hakim, R. Jernigan, D. Kalman, J. Lansky, J. Nolan
David Carroll Professor M. Baron
Associate Professor Emeritus A. Barron, L. Crone, I.L. Chang, F. Van Dyke
Associate Professor A. Elezi, M. Jackson, J. Lu, E. Malloy, V. Stallings
Assistant Professor Emerita C. Machlin
Assistant Professor J. Chifman, K. Crona, J. Hartsfield, R.C. Mitchell, M. Robinson
Professorial Lecturer L. Bernhofen, A. Bourla, S. Carver, J. Dickens, D. Dietz, K. Duke, A. Kapatou, M. Keynes, A. Knapp, M. Limarzi, J. Miller, M. Pospieszelska, K. Ward
Instructor P. Okoth, H. Van Dyke
Director of Undergraduate Studies R.C. Mitchell
Director of Educational Services B. Jalali
Mathematics may be studied as an intellectual discipline for its own sake or as a professional tool for application to the problems of other disciplines. Majors in mathematics receive firm grounding in the theory and techniques of algebra, analysis, and other fields as a basis for further work in pure or applied mathematics and for graduate studies. The major in applied mathematics offers training in mathematical problem-solving techniques with a reduced emphasis on abstract theory. This program is tailored to the student who will need to apply mathematical, statistical, and computer methods to practical problems. Undergraduates majoring in mathematics may choose to take a second major in secondary school teaching.
Statistics is the science of making decisions based on data. Data and decisions can come from business, law,medicine, politics, science, sociology, and every other field of study, but may be based on incomplete observations or incorrect measurements. To mitigate such uncertainties, students studying statistics build and apply quantitative tools and techniques for the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data. They then utilize statistical techniques to discover and investigate patterns, build predictive models, and control variability to improve decision making.
Undergraduate students majoring in statistics have two tracks available. Those who intend to continue with graduate work in statistics or those with an interest in the theory of statistical methods should follow the sequence for mathematical statistics, which requires a strong background in mathematics. Students wishing an emphasis in the use of statistical techniques should follow the sequence for applied statistics. This track is especially appropriate as a secondary emphasis for students who have a strong interest in a field of application.
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics combines the resources and knowledge of these related disciplines. This enables the department to offer unusually varied and flexible programs. A student with an interest in the mathematical sciences may choose a program within the department and later change his or her emphasis without a great loss of time because the programs share a common core.
The university’s Washington, DC location affords the student access to many governmental, cultural, scientific, and historical institutions. These institutions serve as an important research resource. In addition, they are a source of full-time and part-time employment opportunities for students with a firm grounding in the mathematical sciences. Students who develop strong analytical and computational skills have career options in a wide variety of fields: government, industry, finance, consulting, teaching, and any area in which big data plays a role.
Special Opportunities
- The department employs undergraduates in its tutoring lab and the computer labs.
- The department offers an array of scholarships and research opportunities for talented students in mathematics and statistics.
Honors in Mathematical Sciences
The Honors Program in Mathematical Sciences is open to students who are majoring in Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computational Science, or Math and Economics, and who have:
- Completed at least 45 credit hours
- Achieved a GPA of at least 3.7 overall and at least 3.75 in major.
- Completed at least two mathematics or statistics courses 300-level or above.
- Arranged for a department faculty member to send an admission endorsement to the department’s Honors Coordinator.
- Sent a one-page application essay to the department’s Honors Coordinator.
- Acceptable essay topics include the following or other topic approved by the Honors Coordinator:
- What is the most interesting thing that you have learned so far in college, and why?
- Within the mathematical sciences, what is something that you have heard of but don’t understand, and would like to understand before you have completed college?
Any student who meets the above criteria is admitted to the program if his or her essay is approved by the Honors Coordinator.
Transfer students are eligible for admission if their overall undergraduate record is deemed equivalent to one that would satisfy the requirements above. They should consult with the department’s Honors Coordinator.
Program Requirements:
To graduate with Honors in Mathematical Sciences, a student must complete the following:
- Graduate with at least a 3.7 GPA, both overall and in their major.
- Complete at least two MATH or STAT courses 400- or 500-level, with a grade of B or better. These courses cannot simultaneously count toward another honors program. To be counted toward this requirement, 400-level courses must involve a rigorous honors supplement.
- Complete a capstone project approved by the department’s honors coordinator. This could take the form of an independent-study course that involves research, or a summer research experience. The project cannot simultaneously satisfy the capstone requirement of a major or another honors program.
- Write a formal report on the capstone project.
- Present the results of the capstone project to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
ProgramsMajorMinorUndergraduate CertificateMaster’s ProgramGraduate Certificate
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