Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Mathematics, BA
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. The skills acquired in our program have prepared graduates for further academic studies in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Oceanography and Education.
Compared to the BS Mathematics major, the BA has fewer advanced requirements and provides greater flexibility in the choice of courses to take.
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 carefully in collaboration with a departmental advisor.
Coursework
- MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I
- MATH 226 Limits and Infinite Series
- MATH 331 Ordinary Differential Equations
- 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 341 Probability and Statistical Inference
- MATH 441 Probability
- One course from:
- MATH 419 Historical Perspectives of Mathematics
- MATH 420 Topics in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
Note: The pair MATH 203 and 303 may be substituted for MATH 204 and 331
- One course from:
- CSCI 139 Programming Fundamentals in Python
- CSCI 140 Programming Fundamentals in C++
- CSCI 141 Computer Programming I
- MATH 307 Mathematical Computing
Note: If the supporting sequence from CSCI below is chosen, this requirement is fulfilled.
- Three courses from:
- MATH 302 Introduction to Proofs Via Number Theory
- MATH 304 Linear Algebra
- MATH 309 Introduction to Proof in Discrete Mathematics
- MATH 312 Proofs in Elementary Analysis
- MATH 360 Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry
- Two courses from:
- MATH 410 Mathematical Modeling
- M/CS 335 Linear Optimization
- M/CS 375 Numerical Computation
- M/CS 435 Nonlinear Optimization
- M/CS 475 Numerical Analysis
- 16 approved credits in mathematics or math-computer science, which includes completion of 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 & Apps. 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
- One course from:
Note: Courses counted toward the major in the preceding boxes do not count toward the 16 credits but can serve as part (or all) of the pair.
- One of the following sequences:
- PHYS 121 Physics With Calculus I
- PHYS 122 Physics With Calculus II
- PHYS 123 Electricity and Magnetism
- 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 141Computer Programming 1
- CSCI 145 Computer Programming and 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 System
- CSCI 345 Object Oriented Design
- CSCI 401 Automata and Formal Language Theory
- 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
- and one of
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
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
Undergraduate Advisor
Mathematics Department Office
BH 202
360-650-3785
Math.Department@wwu.edu