Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Mathematics, BS
What Is the Study of Mathematics?
Mathematics reveals hidden patterns that help us understand the world around us. Now much more than arithmetic and geometry, mathematics today is a diverse discipline that deals with data, measurements, and observations from science; with inference, deduction, and proof; and with mathematical models of natural phenomena, of human behavior, and of social systems.
As a practical matter, Mathematics is a science of pattern and order. Its domain is not molecules or cells, but numbers, chance, form, algorithms, and change. As a science of abstract objects, Mathematics relies on logic rather than on observation as its standard of truth, yet employs observation, simulation, and even experimentation as means of discovering truth.
-From Everybody Counts: A Report to the Nation on the Future of Mathematics Education (c) 1989 National Academy of Sciences
Why Should I Consider this Major?
The special role of Mathematics in education is a consequence of its universal applicability. The results of Mathematics-theorems and theories-are both significant and useful; the best results are also elegant and deep. Through its theorems, Mathematics offers science both a foundation of truth and a standard of certainty.
In addition to theorems and theories, Mathematics offers distinctive modes of thought which are both versatile and powerful, including modeling, abstraction, optimization, logical analysis, inference from data, and use of symbols. Experience with mathematical modes of thought builds mathematical power-a capacity of mind of increasing value in this technological age that enables one to read critically, to identify fallacies, to detect bias, to assess risk, and to suggest alternatives. Mathematics empowers us to understand better the information-laden world in which we live.
-From Everybody Counts: A Report to the Nation on the Future of Mathematics Education (c) 1989 National Academy of Sciences
Empowered with the critical thinking skills that Mathematics develops, recent Mathematics graduates from Western have obtained positions in a variety of fields including actuarial science, cancer research, computer software development, business management and the movie industry, among many others. The skills acquired in our program have prepared graduates for further academic studies in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Oceanography and Education.
How to Declare:
Students who intend to complete a major in Mathematics are urged to declare the major formally at an early point in their Western career so that a program of study can be planned in collaboration with a departmental advisor.
Coursework
Requirements
- MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I
- MATH 225 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II
- MATH 226 Limits and Infinite Series
- MATH 304 Linear Algebra
- MATH 312 Proofs in Elementary Analysis
Note: The pair MATH 203 and 303 may be substituted for MATH 204 and 331.
- Choose either:
- MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
- MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
- or
- MATH 134 Calculus I Honors
- MATH 135 Calculus II Honors
- or
- MATH 138 Accelerated Calculus
- One course from:
- MATH 302 Introduction to Proofs Via Number Theory
- MATH 309 Introduction to Proofs in Discrete Mathematics
- No fewer than 31 approved credits in mathematics or math-computer science, including at least two of the following pairs:
- One course from:
- MATH 303 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations II
- MATH 331 - Ordinary Differential Equations
- Together with one of:
- MATH 415 - Mathematical Biology
- MATH 430 - Fourier Series and Applications to Partial
- Differential Equations
- MATH 431 - Analysis of Partial Differential Equations
- MATH 432 - Systems of Differential Equations
- Only one of the pairs from the above group can be used
- The following pair:
- MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference
- MATH 342 - Statistical Methods
- The following pair:
- MATH 401 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra
- MATH 402 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra
- The following pair:
- MATH 421 - Methods of Mathematical Analysis I
- MATH 422 - Methods of Mathematical Analysis II
- The following pair:
- MATH 441 - Probability
- MATH 442 - Mathematical Statistics
- The following pair:
- M/CS 335 - Linear Optimization
- M/CS 435 - Nonlinear Optimization
- The following pair:
- M/CS 375 - Numerical Computation
- M/CS 475 - Numerical Analysis
Supporting Courses
- At least 19 credits from 400-level courses in mathematics or math-computer science except MATH 483, and including at most one of MATH 419 or MATH 420.
- One of:
- CSCI 139 Programming Fundamentals in Python
- CSCI 140 Programming Fundamentals in C++
- CSCI 141 Computer Programming I
- MATH 207 Mathematical Computing
Note: If the supporting sequence from CSCI below is chosen, this requirement is fulfilled.
- One of the following sequences:
- PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I
- PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II
- PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III
- OR
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 123 - General Chemistry III
- OR
- CHEM 125 - General Chemistry I, Honors
- CHEM 126 - General Chemistry II, Honors
- CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors
- OR
- CSCI 141 - Computer Programming I
- CSCI 145 - Computer Programming & Linear Data Structures
- CSCI 241 - Data Structures
- CSCI 301 - Formal Languages and Functional Programming
- And one of:
- CSCI 305 - Analysis of Algorithms and Data Structures I
- CSCI 330 - Database Systems
- CSCI 345 - Object Oriented Design
- CSCI 401 - Automata and Formal Language Theory
- OR
- And one of:
- ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics
- And one of
- ECON 375 - Introduction to Econometrics
- ECON 470 - Economic Fluctuations and Forecasting
- ECON 475 - Econometrics
Language competency in French, German or Russian is strongly recommended for those students who may go to graduate school.
Students who are interested in the actuarial sciences should complete: MATH 441 and 442, M/CS 335 and 435, M/CS 375 and 475 as part of their major programs.
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
- QSR: CSCI 139, 140, 141, 145; MATH 124, 125, 134, 135, 138
- SSC: ECON 206, 207
- LSCI: CHEM 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 225; PHYS 161, 162, 163
Notable Alumni
Sample Careers
- Actuary
- Research Analyst
- Statistician
- Biostatistician
- Math Teacher
- Demographer
- Database Administrator
- Information Scientist
Department
Contact
Department Chair
Tjalling Ypma
Bond Hall 202A
360-650-3785
Tjalling.Ypma@wwu.edu
Mathematics Department
BH 202
360-650-3785
Math.Department@wwu.edu