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Undergraduate Advising
Most students must take the Math Placement Test before taking their first math course
at Western, including many students who have transferred credits for math courses taken elsewhere.
Enrolled students, need help with math? Stop by the Math Center.
Students interested in declaring a BS in Math, Applied Math, or Math/Computer Science should use these
interactive forms to help sketch out a plan of study.. We encourage students to
fill out a form and bring a copy when they meet with their advisor
General Information for Enrolled Students
Thinking of Declaring the Major?
Need help deciding whether Mathematics is the major you want to declare? You're
invited to meet with a Mathematics Adviser at any
time to ask questions and explore various options. If you're thinking of declaring
the major, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible in order to establish a plan
of study.
Program Options : Majors and Minors
The department has programs leading to the B.A. and B.S. in Mathematics, B. S. in Applied Mathematics, and
the B.A. in Education (elementary and secondary). We also offer combined majors with Biology, Chemistry
(for secondary education), Computer Science, Economics, and Physics (for secondary education).
A General Studies major is designed for students who want to focus their studies across courses and
departments of their choosing. Minors are available in Mathematics and Secondary Education. The mathematics
department also offers an accelerated B.S.-M.S. option.
For detailed information about each of these options, see Plans of Study. If you
have any questions, or if you need help deciding which option is for you, make an appointment with a
Mathematics Adviser.
Procedure for Declaring
Students interested in declaring a BS in Math, Applied Math, or Math/Computer Science should use these
interactive forms to help sketch out a plan of study.. We encourage students to
fill out a form and bring a copy when they meet with their advisor
Then go to the Mathematics Office in BH 202 and get an Official Declaration of Major card.
Next, you need to contact a Mathematics Adviser to declare in person or by mail.
Be sure to bring your Official Declaration of Major card, your Degree Planning Guide (the blue book), and
copies of your transcript(s) (unofficial is fine). We can determine which courses may be applied toward the
major, and develop a plan of study for the remaining course work. There are various mathematics major options
discussed in the Plans of Study.
Information for Minors
Two different minors are available: Mathematics and Mathematics Education. See
Plans of Study. A minor is not officially declared at Western.
To complete a minor, follow the Plan of Study for the minor of your choice. At least two quarters
prior to graduation, plan to see a Mathematics Adviser for a minor
evaluation. When you submit your Degree Application to the Registrar's Office, you will need to turn
in your minor evaluation along with your major evaluation. In the meantime, if you have any questions,
feel free to ask!
Information for Declared Majors
Graduating with Academic Excellence
The Mathematics Department offers three means of recognition for outstanding students.
One - Graduation with Merit in Mathematics is an award which recognizes
outstanding scholastic achievement in courses required for the major.
The second Graduation with Distinction in Mathematics is a program which
rewards exceptional achievement in mathematics as evidenced by meeting all the requirements for Graduation
with Merit and completing certain additional requirements detailed below.
The third Graduation with Honors in Mathematics is part of the University Honors
Program and includes a substantial general education component as well as most of the requirements for
Graduation with Distinction. While Graduation with Merit is automatically conferred on all students who
qualify, students must apply to the chair of the Department of Mathematics to participate in either or both
of the other programs.
Students interested in these programs should also inquire into the possibility of earning both a Bachelor of
Science and a Master of Science degree in mathematics within five years of study. See
Accelerated B.S.-M.S.
Graduation with Merit
To graduate with merit in mathematics, a student must complete one of the majors or combined majors offered
by mathematics alone or by mathematics in cooperation with another department.
The students program must include at least 32 quarter hours of mathematics or math-computer science courses
taken at Western, including Math 225, 304 and 312 and at least 23 approved credits at the 400 level or above.
The cumulative GPA for mathematics and math-computer science classes taken at Western must be at least 3.6.
Graduation with Distinction
To graduate with distinction in mathematics, a student must meet all the requirements for graduation with merit
in mathematics. Furthermore, the student must successfully complete:
- A comprehensive examination covering Math 124, 125, 224, 225, 226, 204, 331
- An approved senior project
The comprehensive examination should be taken no later than the junior year. This examination may be retaken if
necessary, but must be passed no later than Fall of the senior year and before beginning the senior project.
The senior project is subject to approval of the Undergraduate Committee and is undertaken under the direction
of a faculty member. It includes some independent work, the preparation of a report and a colloquium presentation.
The senior project constitutes a course at the 400 level and is letter graded with 4 credits applicable towards
the major.
Students interested in graduating with distinction in mathematics should declare their interest to the chair of
the Department of Mathematics at an early point in their career at Western in order to receive appropriate advice
and guidance.
Graduation with Honors
Students may graduate with honors in mathematics by completing one of the majors listed for graduation with
merit in mathematics and completing the usual requirements for the Honors Program (see Honors Program section
of this catalog) with the following modifications:
Entering freshmen must satisfy the GUR in science by completing one of the following sequences:
- Chem 121, 122, 123
- Physics 121, 131, 122, 132, 123, 133
- The comprehensive examination described under Graduation with Distinction may be substituted
for the honors senior project.
A student interested in the Honors Program should contact both the chair of the Department of Mathematics
and the director of the Honors Program.
Accelerated B.S.-M.S. Program
This program is intended to facilitate completion of both a B.S. and M.S. degree in mathematics within at most
5 years of study. Students in this program take graduate courses as undergraduates, and complete only 36 additional
graduate credits to satisfy the requirements for the graduate degree. A detailed listing of the program policies
and procedures may be obtained from the Secretary of the Department of Mathematics. A summary that highlights the
main features of the program is available here.
When to apply for graduation
Plan to apply for graduation two quarters prior to your final quarter. For example, if you're graduating
at the end of Spring Quarter, you'll need to apply for graduation during Fall Quarter.
How to apply for graduation
Make an appointment ASAP with a Mathematics Adviser to do your major evaluation.
Please plan to do this well in advance of registration. Plan to bring a copy of your transcript(s) so your
coursework can be evaluated (unofficial is fine, or grade report cards. You can get a transcript off the net).
The final step will be to turn in your major evaluation, along with a Degree Application, to the Registrar's Office.
At present Degree Application packets are only available online at
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/registrar/degree_application.shtml.
Graduation Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree
Mathematics students must meet the graduation requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Here are the
requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree:
- Complete all requirements for the major in Mathematics (or combined major) according to your
Plan of Study. Requirements include a WWU writing proficiency course
(designated in the Timetable and completed with a grade of C- or better). All courses in the major must
be completed with a C- or better.
- Complete a minimum of 180 total credits. This includes 90 credits of GURs (or a direct transfer A.A.
degree from a community college). Note: English 101 must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
- Complete a minimum of 60 upper division credits (300/400 level). (That is, 60 credits of the 180 total
required must be upper division).
- Complete a minimum of 45 credits in residence at WWU (correspondence coursework does not satisfy this
requirement).
- Your final quarter must be in residence--i.e. you must be registered for at least one Western course
in the quarter in which degree is to be awarded. Correspondence courses are allowed only by exception.
- Your cumulative GPA at Western must be at least 2.00.
- For the B.A. Education degree, complete the professional education sequence.
- Submit an application for the degree no later than the last day of classes two quarters prior to
quarter of intended graduation.
Considering Graduate School?
Check out our graduate program.
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