The undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
at Georgia Tech offers
students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and technical
skills in mathematics, a
discipline that is central to advances in science and technology, at
one of the nation's leading scientific and technological universities.
Georgia Tech offers two undergraduate degrees in mathematics, the
B.S. in Applied Mathematics and the B.S. in Discrete Mathematics.
The B.S. in applied mathematics
allows the student to study a variety of areas of mathematics, while
taking advanced courses in other areas of science and engineering. This
degree provides the student with a broad background in mathematics.
The B.S. in discrete mathematics
specializes in areas of mathematics that have
gained importance because of their close connection to computing. These areas
are graph theory, combinatorics, number theory and some areas of algebra. In
addition, the degree requires more courses in computing and
industrial systems.
Currently about one third of our majors are pursuing this degree.
Both degrees can be taken with a business option
which replaces some of
the science and engineering requirements with selected
courses in economics and
management.
Each year the School of Mathematics has about 15 to 20% of its students in the
COOP program.
These students are employees for a company
one semester and return to their studies the next. Currently, students are
co-oping at software and energy companies, among others.
There are other exceptional opportunities for enriching your
undergraduate program,
such as the ACE lab,
only one of a handful of
experimental mathematics laboratory in the US.
Regardless of the degree you are interested in, the School encourages you to
seek a level of academic performance that challenges you. There are
opportunities for taking on pursuits outside of the classroom too.
Work in the Coop program.
Attend a seminar, be an undergraduate TA,
take the Senior project (required for Discrete Math, but available
to all students), attend an REU, join the math club, attend
a regular research seminar or participate in an undergraduate
research program.
Contact
ugcomments@math.gatech.edu
for more information.
The School's Applied Mathematics degree provides a certification of an extensive
training in mathematics and the development of an expertise in another area of
science or engineering. The holders of this degree are well qualified for a
variety of careers in applied mathematics and further study in a variety of
graduate programs requiring mathematical expertise.
Most of our majors are in applied math, so that they can take
more classes in math,
it seems. They are busy pursuing a wide range of classes,
study abroad, fellowships,
and research opportunities.
What are the key courses in the degree? Besides the calculus plus diff eq curriculum,
the next key course in M2406, the Abstract Vector Spaces course. It serves as the gateway course to
many upper division 4XXX courses.
It
serves as the first serious introduction to proof writing, which is the most essential part of the upper
division courses.
After that, many students find that M4317 Analysis I, is a fundamental course to them. The careful and
rigorous study of the familiar subject of Calculus opens their eyes to a more theoretical view of mathematics.
The Cantor diagonalization theorem, and the study of compactness are central to the course.
The next fundamental course is Algebra I, as the objects studied, in some sense are less
complicated, the view point is more abstract. Algebra
nevertheless, is a very much applied topic these days, and an important ingredient to many topics of interest
to Computer Science.
There are more gems, depending upon the students interests.
The course offerings at the
4XXX level are rich and varied, due to the large number of
Georgia Tech students taking Mathematics courses.
See
www.catalog.gatech.edu/colleges/cos/math/ugrad/math/bsmath.php
for a complete list of degree requirements in Applied Mathematics.
The Discrete Math major is a rigorous degree program that
gives the students substantial exposure to computing and those areas of
mathematics that are most closely associated with computation. These branches
of mathematics are devoted to the study of "discrete" as opposed to
"continuous" structures.
The curriculum for this bachelors degree program combines basic work in
mathematics and science and advanced studies in discrete mathematics with
substantial training in these areas of application.
Courses in CS beyond the first two semesters are required, as well as
courses in Industrial & Systems Engineering.
Students who earn the Bachelor of Science in Discrete Mathematics have
demonstrated a high level of competency in the analytical and
technical skills in both computing and mathematics.
See
www.catalog.gatech.edu/colleges/cos/math/ugrad/mathdis/bsmathdis.php
for a complete list of degree requirements in Discrete Mathematics.
The Business Option for either the Applied or Discrete Math degree develops both scientific and engineering
expertise, as well as develops the skills and knowledge needed
for success in business environments. For students seeking this degree, social
science options are specified to include courses in industrial psychology and
microeconomics.
The 6 hours 3XXX electives are replaced by a
required sequence of management courses.
To be specific:
Students electing this option complete the degree requirement for either the
applied math or discrete math degree, as listed in the catalog, except that two
of their social science electives must be
The Minor in Mathematics consists of fulfilling the general Georgia
Institute of Technology requirements for some degree (other than math,
of course) and the requirements in one of the two tracks specified below.
But the bottom line is that a student needs to take
18 hours of upper level math courses.
The Math minor documents the student's in depth
knowledge of mathematics and analytical reasoning skills that the study
of mathematics promotes.
Track I contains a broad core coverage of mathematics at an advanced
level, while Track II is built around one of 6 distinct choices of core
specializations. Both tracks require 9 hours of approved
Mathematics electives
at the 3000 level or higher (a total of 18 hours).
All courses must be taken on a Letter Grade Basis. No Pass/Fail
The Minor in Mathematics consists of fulfilling the general Georgia
Institute of Technology requirements for some degree and the requirements
in one of the two tracks specified below, that is, one of I or II. The
first track consists of a broad core coverage of mathematics at an advanced
level, while the second track is built around 6 distinct choices of core
specializations. Both tracks entail 9 hours of Mathematics electives, beyond
the core, at the 3000 level or higher (a total of 18 hours).
