Undergraduate Programs
Degree Options
The mathematics program at Virginia Tech has a strong career orientation, with four different graduation paths that you may follow. Across all four paths, our faculty emphasize both teaching excellence and research innovation. Both of these features are essential toward the development of your potential in mathematics.
The Traditional option is the most flexible of our degree options. It ensures a comprehensive, well-rounded curriculum of foundational courses in analysis and algebra, while allowing the student the largest range of choices at the advanced level. Accordingly, students find the traditional option great preparation for graduate study, and it can also be adapted to a wide range of careers.
The Applied Computational Mathematics (ACM) option focuses on advanced courses in numerical analysis, scientific computing, and differential equations. This reflects its original development in collaboration with engineers, but in fact, these required courses are the core mathematical concepts behind a wide and growing collection of applied sciences.
Techniques which employ combinatorics and discrete mathematics are being used in almost every area where mathematical computations are found. In response to this area's increased importance and utility, the Department has developed the ADM (Applied Discrete Mathematics) option, in which the student is given exposure to fundamental ideas and techniques in discrete mathematics and combinatorics. Since computers are central in these applications we also require the students in this option to develop a strong foundation in Computer Science.
The Mathematics Education option (MSTR) is a five-year program that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Education degree. The program is designed to prepare future teachers of mathematics in secondary grades 6-12. The program is open to all students admitted into the Department of Mathematics. Students who have graduated from our program have received numerous awards, scholarships, and recognition for their excellence in teaching mathematics, such as the Edward A. Anderson Scholarship, which our students have won six years in a row.
Why VT Math Might Be Right for You
What does it mean to have a degree in mathematics? You know a lot of math! Well, of course, and that’s undeniably valuable to a range of jobs and careers. But, it’s important to note that a mathematics degree also means you have all the pieces to see the big picture:
¨ We offer four degree options that allow you to choose courses in an applied area that supports your mathematical abilities and interests, making you an even better job or graduate school candidate.
¨ We offer a 5-year accelerated B.S./M.S. degree program.
¨ The first-year experience course for math majors allows you to connect with fellow math majors, meet faculty and academic advisors in the department, learn about the breadth of mathematics, dive into projects, and experience some research. All during your first year at VT.
¨ Our academic advisors are faculty advisors, who can not only advise on traditional advising matters, but can also discuss course and career advise throughout your undergraduate career.
¨ Best of Both Worlds: The Math Department offers a small, personal feel where you can get to know your professors and advisors while having the opportunities that a large research university can offer.
The words I would use to describe VT mathematics are creative, challenging, and flexible. Through this program, I was able to choose classes that interested me and related to my future career in education. In every class I found fascinating concepts and professors who encouraged me to think more deeply about the material and really push my creativity. A few highlights were researching kinesthetic learning of mathematics, discovering Egyptian and Babylonian number systems, and exploring how to use technology to teach mathematics. Looking back on my years in school, I realized how comforting it was to have a smaller program where I could recognize faces as I walked through the mathematics building and felt supported in my classes. It was a wonderful few years and I would recommend the program to anyone considering mathematics!
- VT Math 2019 Alum
As a current math teacher, I am so proud to have graduated from Virginia Tech. It was the perfect place to combine my love for math and teaching and to grow as a learner. The math department’s instructors and professors are super supportive and furthered my love for learning!
- VT Math 2015 Alum
I chose math at Virginia Tech because I liked that the department had multiple options with focuses in different areas of mathematics. Throughout my time as an undergrad, the professors and advisors have been very helpful in providing me with opportunities to pursue my future academic and career goals. There have been many opportunities for me to get involved within the department though undergraduate research, mentoring younger undergraduate students, and helping at recruitment events for current high schoolers. The math department has given me a smaller school feeling inside a very large university as I have enjoyed my time getting to know many of the faculty, staff, and students.
- VT Math 2020 Alum
I could not be happier that I landed in Math at VT. The faculty are friendly and accessible, and there is ample opportunity to get involved in research and service. It is a wonderful place to learn, grow, and serve.
- VT Math 2019 Alum
I am incredibly grateful for the professors and mentors in the Math Department who helped me develop into a mathematician and a contributor to the university. I am so glad I had the opportunities to conduct research, serve in roles where I helped other students, and learn from and be mentored by top-notch people.
- VT Math 2019 Alum
Learn more about what a career in mathematics can mean for you, Use the links below to explore careers in general or look through the resources available to our current students in the Career Avising site.
You can also view resourses about careers in mathematics from the three major national mathematics organizations:
- Career Resources from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM),
- Career Advice for Students from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and
- Career Information from the American Mathematical Society (AMS).
Opportunities for VT Math Students
The Virginian Tech Student Chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. The chapter was recently awarded the 2021 AWM Student Chapter Award for Scientific Excellence.
Putnam Mathematical Competition
The Putnam Mathematical competition began in 1938 and is designed to stimulate a healthful rivalry in mathematical studies in the colleges and universities of the United States and Canada. The competition is open only to regularly enrolled undergraduates who have not yet received a college degree.
Prizes will be awarded to the departments of mathematics of the institutions with the five winning teams. In addition, there will be prizes awarded to each of the members of the teams. A Va Tech team is trained for the national Putnam Competition each December.
Virginia Tech Regional Mathematics Contest - Not Running
The Virginia Tech Regional Mathematics Contest was sponsored each fall by the Mathematics Department at Virginia Tech. More than 120 colleges and universities throughout VA, NC, MD, WV, TN, and DC were invited to participate each year. It ran for 44 years. The contest began in 1979 and ran through 2022. It grew to the point where over 100 schools with over 700 contestants participated in a typical year! The Virginia Tech Regional Mathematics Contest was run each fall, usually near the end of October.
This contest will not be running until further notice.
Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM)
The handbook linked below provides detailed information on this prestigious competition, in which Virginia Tech teams have done very well in recent years. Outstanding Winners from the 2018 competition, Arianna Krinos and Aimee Maurais, are pictured at the top of the Undergraduate Research page.
The Math Club meets twice a month for problem solving sessions, featured speakers, and of course pizza! Beginning September 1st, Math Club will meet every other Monday at 5:30pm in McBryde 455 (otherwise known as the Commons Room).
You can get more information by emailing the faculty sponsors or visiting the Math Club Website.
Matecharias provides students with the opportunity for informal discussions about 1000-level Math course with instructors fluent in Spanish. Brush up your Spanish and/or Math skills with Matercharlas.
Organized by Fanny Jasso, with support from El Centro, Matecharlas meets weekly during the Fall Semester Tuesdays, 1:00-1:55pm at El Centro: 309 Squires.
Members of the group also talk about career, academics, your experiences, or any combo that includes math!
All interested students are welcome!
Students can obtain a Minor in Mathematics with seventeen (17) credits of required courses in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations, plus an additional nine (9) elective credits. The elective courses must all be MATH courses. Some restrictions apply.
If you would like to send a request for a private tutor to the entire list of available math tutors, please send an email to math_tutors-g@vt.edu with your contact information and request. Please indicate the course in the subject line of your email. Interested tutors will respond directly to you.
To be considered for a Scholarship from the Mathematics Deparment, a students must
- Complete an application in
Scholarship Central,
which allows consideration for all scholarships across the university, including Math Department and College of Science scholarships.
Applications should be completed by the end of January. - Students are encouraged to provide additional information to assist with scholarship decisions by filling out the Department of Mathematics Scholarship Form.
Decisions will be made either at the end of the spring semester or at the beginning of the fall semester.
The Math Department has several scholarship programs including
- The Carl A. Persinger Scholarship/Fellowship for Mathematics,
- Daniel S. Kim Memorial Scholarship,
- David P. Roselle Scholarship,
- Lee R. and Regina Aultice Steeneck Endowed Scholarship,
- Marion V. Eckert and Charlotte H. Eckert Scholarship in Mathematics,
- Math Department Award,
- Patricia A. Caldwell Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics,
- Ray A. Gaskins Scholarship in Mathematics,
- Richard L. and Georgia W. Kimball - Norfolk Southern Scholarship,
- T.W. Hatcher Math Scholarship,
- The Kathleen Wampler & Forrest Dryden Rollins Scholarship in Mathematics, and
- The Wilbur Francis Wells Memorial Scholarship.
Some of these scholarships have more than one recipient. Through these scholarships, in a typical year the Mathematics Department awards over $65,000 to 30+ students with a majority going to continuing students.
There are numerous opportunities for students to study abroad, some of them specific to mathematics. Not sure how to get started?
See programs designed for math majors and get advice for fitting study abroad into your schedule.
You can also visit the Global Education Office for all the information on all of the different study abroad programs, requirements, and advice on how to finance your study abroad.
The Mathematics Department and other offices around campus employ both undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of positions that require a math background.
The Mathematics Department offers an accelerated program permitting up to 12 credit hours to be counted towards both B.S. and M.S. course requirements. Students typically apply for this program in the semester before they want to double-count coursework, usually the end of the student's junior year.
Click here to see the Graduate School's application timeline.
The Math Department's accelerated MS program has three options (A, B, and C) and is intended for students who are ready to take a graduate-level Math sequence during their senior year. Students intending to apply for this program should meet with and discuss options with a potneital graduate advisor before applying. The student and advisor can then draft a plan of study, which is a required part of the application.
Note that options B and C include plans for completing a Master's thesis. The student and advisor should meet to discuss research interests and to ensure that the plan of study supports those interests.
Note also that students in the accelerated MS program are generally not funded on an assistantship (GTA or GRA) during either year in the two-year program. However, if they apply to continue into the PhD program and are admitted, they would be offered GTA or GRA funding at the start of the PhD program.
For more information, see the program description document linked below.
For more information, or to schedule a visit to the Mathematics Department at Virginia Tech, please contact our Undergraduate Programs Coordinator: