For information about the admission process, including deadlines, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Applications can be submitted via the Common Application.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The George Washington University
800 21st St NW Suite 100
Washington, DC 20052

For questions visit undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/contact-us.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

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

Program-specific curriculum:

Required
MATH 1231Single-Variable Calculus I (or equivalent)
MATH 1232Single-Variable Calculus II
MATH 2185Comprehensive Introduction to Linear Algebra *
or MATH 2184 Linear Algebra I
MATH 2233Multivariable Calculus
MATH 2971Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
or MATH 2971W Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
One 3-credit course selected from the following: **
CSCI 1011Introduction to Programming with Java
CSCI 1012Introduction to Programming with Python
CSCI 1041Introduction to FORTRAN Programming
CSCI 1111Introduction to Software Development
CSCI 1121Introduction to C Programming
CSCI 1131Introduction to Programming with C

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

**Students in the pure mathematics concentration (see below) may substitute an alternative elective, approved by the department, for the CSCI course.

Concentration requirement

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

Pure mathematics concentration

Required
MATH 4121Introduction to Abstract Algebra I
MATH 4239Real Analysis I
or MATH 4239W Real Analysis I
Two courses (6 credits) selected from the following:
MATH 3125Linear Algebra II
MATH 3257Introduction to Complex Variables
MATH 3806Introduction to Topology
MATH 4122Introduction to Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4240Real Analysis II
Three additional MATH courses (9 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges.

Applied mathematics concentration 

Required
MATH 3342Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH 3343Partial Differential Equations
MATH 3553Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MATH 3359Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
MATH 4239Real Analysis I
or MATH 4239W Real Analysis I
Two additional MATH courses (6 credits) numbered in the 3000 and 4000 ranges.

 Interdisciplinary mathematics concentration

Required
MATH 3342Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH 3553Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MATH 3359Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
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, finance, information systems, physics, statistics, and all fields in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication (G-PAC) as well as the course CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:

  • One course in critical thinking in the humanities.

  • Two courses in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, or scientific reasoning in the social sciences.

  • One course that has an approved oral communication component.

  • One course in quantitative reasoning (must be in mathematics or statistics).
  • One course in scientific reasoning (must be in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences).
  • UW 1020 University Writing (4 credits).
  • After successful completion of UW 1020, 6 credits distributed over at least two writing in the discipline (WID) courses taken in separate semesters. WID courses are designated by a "W" appended to the course number. 

Coursework for the CCAS G-PAC requirement is distributed as follows:

  • Arts—one approved arts course that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
  • Global or cross-cultural perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
  • Local or civic engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
  • Natural or physical science—one additional approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
  • Humanities—one additional approved humanities course that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
  • CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience

Certain courses are approved to fulfill GPAC requirements in more than one category.

Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC requirements may also be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University may count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.

Lists of approved courses in the above categories are included on each undergraduate major's page in this Bulletin.

In addition to the general requirements stated under University Regulations, in order to be considered for graduation with Special Honors, students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.5 in courses in the major; complete 3 credits of MATH 4995 Reading and Research in addition to the other required courses in the major; and present an oral defense of a senior thesis prepared for MATH 4995 Reading and Research.