Overview
The Department of Mathematics was established in 1384/1385 A.H., corresponding to 1964/1965 A.C., as a twin department of the Department of Physics. This marked the issuance of the first bylaw of the College of Education at King Abdul-Aziz University in the Makkah campus. Several classes graduated with the dual specialization (physics and mathematics), and the scientific supervision was joint between the two departments due to this twinning.
This joint specialization continued for ten years, until 1394/1395 A.H., when the Department of Physics was separated from the Department of Mathematics to become an independent department granting a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Education. The department was supervised for one year by the Department of Mathematics in the College of Science at King Abdul-Aziz University in Jeddah.
Admission to the department was limited to male students at first, but it then started to welcome female students in 1394/1395 A.H. In 1395/1396 A.H., corresponding to 1975/1976 A.C., the department was linked to the College of Education at King Abdul-Aziz University in Makkah, as far as the administrative organization and the scientific unit were concerned.
In 1396/1397 A.H., the credit hour system was introduced at King Abdul-Aziz University, in the Makkah campus, and consequently the department started to offer its courses according to the credit hour system, offering bachelor’s degrees in mathematics.
In 1401/1400 A.H., Umm Al-Qura University was established in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Afterward, the College of Applied Sciences was established, with which the department became affiliated. The department started offering bachelor’s degrees in mathematics along with pedagogical preparation or pure mathematics. In 1403/1404 A.H., the department was named the "Department of Mathematical Sciences" to separate the various mathematical disciplines into independent scientific divisions under the supervision of one department. The aim was to foster interdependence between the various disciplines without having one overshadowing the others.
Students earn bachelor's degrees in mathematical sciences (40400) after successfully completing (136) credit hours. The courses incorporate pure mathematics, statistics, probability, and applied mathematics. This exceptional combination provides ample room for celebrating diversity and flexibility, for the benefit of the UQU students, as it gives them the opportunity to vigorously venture into the three academic streams. Consequently, students are able to explore diverse fields, and if they wish to learn more and complete their postgraduate studies, they will have a strong foundation to continue their academic studies in any of these streams. Career-wise, the graduates have diverse work opportunities in ministries as well as public and private institutions, such as banks, statistical departments, etc. The graduates of the department may also work in the field of education, where they would feel confidently comfortable in teaching the three academic fields after completing some courses in the field of education. The Mathematical Sciences Program is available for both male and female students.
Department Objectives
Preparing qualified graduates to work in various sectors related to mathematical sciences
Developing academic curricula to keep pace with scientific advancements in mathematical sciences
Enriching the library through contributions to authoring and translating books in mathematical sciences
Attracting talented individuals in mathematical sciences and preparing them for academic and specialized research careers
Promoting a culture of attending and participating in conferences and scientific workshops
Supporting scientific research by establishing research groups and offering lectures and training in mathematical sciences
Mission
Quality in teaching mathematical sciences and contributing to scientific research
University Vision
An educational environment with international standards, attractive to distinguished students and scientists