Program Overview

Mathematics, BA

Introduction

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.

Why Consider a Mathematics 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.

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.

Student Resources

• Department website: Mathematics
• Department advising: Visit the Advisors section of the Mathematics website.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • Actuary
  • Research Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Biostatistician
  • Math Teacher
  • Demographer
  • Database Administrator
  • Information Scientist
  • Modeler

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

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.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (70 credits in mathematics plus 18-21 credits in supporting courses)

• Choose either:
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (Credits: 5)
  • MATH 125 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (Credits: 5)
  • or
  • MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors (Credits: 5)
  • MATH 135 - Calculus II Honors (Credits: 5)
  • or
  • MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus (Credits: 5)
• Choose either:
  • MATH 204 - Elementary Linear Algebra (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 331 - Ordinary Differential Equations (Credits: 4)
  • or
  • MATH 203 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations I (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 303 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations II (Credits: 4)
• MATH 224 - Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (Credits: 5)
• MATH 226 - Limits and Infinite Series (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 441 - Probability (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • MATH 419 - Historical Perspectives of Mathematics (Credits: 3)
  • MATH 420 - Topics in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics (Credits: 3)
• One course from:
  • CSCI 140 - Programming Fundamentals in C++ (Credits: 4)
  • CSCI 141 - Computer Programming I (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 307 - Mathematical Computing (Credits: 4)
  • 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 (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 304 - Linear Algebra (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 309 - Introduction to Proof in Discrete Mathematics (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 312 - Proofs in Elementary Analysis (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 360 - Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry (Credits: 4)
• Two courses from:
  • MATH 410 - Mathematical Modeling (Credits: 4)
  • M/CS 335 - Linear Optimization (Credits: 4)
  • M/CS 375 - Numerical Computation (Credits: 4)
  • M/CS 435 - Nonlinear Optimization (Credits: 4)
  • M/CS 475 - Numerical Analysis (Credits: 4)
• Sixteen additional approved credits in mathematics or math-computer science, which includes completion of two of the following pairs:
  • MATH 302 - Introduction to Proofs Via Number Theory (Credits: 4)
    • together with one of:
      • MATH 405 - Algebraic Geometry (Credits: 4)
      • MATH 451 - Number Theory (Credits: 4)
  • One course from:
    • MATH 303 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations II (Credits: 4)
    • MATH 331 - Ordinary Differential Equations
    • together with one of:
      • MATH 415 - Mathematical Biology (Credits: 4)
      • MATH 430 - Fourier Series and Applications to Partial Differential Equations (Credits: 4)
      • MATH 431 - Analysis of Partial Differential Equations (Credits: 4)
      • MATH 432 - Systems of Differential Equations (Credits: 4)
  • The following pair:
    • MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inferences
    • MATH 342 - Statistical Methods I (Credits: 4)
  • The following pair:
    • MATH 401 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra (Credits: 4)
    • MATH 402 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra (Credits: 4)
  • The following pair:
    • MATH 421 - Metric Spaces (Credits: 4)
    • MATH 422 - Analysis on Euclidean Spaces (Credits: 4)
  • The following pair:
    • MATH 441 - Probability (Credits: 4)
    • MATH 442 - Mathematical Statistics (Credits: 4)
  • The following pair:
    • M/CS 335 - Linear Optimization (Credits: 4)
    • M/CS 435 - Nonlinear Optimization (Credits: 4)
  • The following pair:
    • M/CS 375 - Numerical Computation (Credits: 4)
    • M/CS 475 - Numerical Analysis (Credits: 4)
  • 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 161 - Physics with Calculus I (Credits: 5)
  • PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II (Credits: 5)
  • PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III (Credits: 5)
  • or
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (Credits: 5)
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (Credits: 5)
  • CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III (Credits: 5)
  • or
  • CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors (Credits: 5)
  • CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors (Credits: 5)
  • CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors (Credits: 5)
  • or
  • CSCI 141 - Computer Programming I (Credits: 4)
  • CSCI 145 - Computer Programming and Linear Data Structures (Credits: 4)
  • CSCI 241 - Data Structures (Credits: 4)
  • CSCI 301 - Formal Languages and Functional Programming (Credits: 5)
  • and one of:
    • CSCI 305 - Analysis of Algorithms and Data Structures I (Credits: 4)
    • CSCI 330 - Database Systems (Credits: 4)
    • CSCI 345 - Object Oriented Design (Credits: 4)
    • CSCI 401 - Automata and Formal Language Theory (Credits: 4)
  • or
  • ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics (Credits: 4)
  • ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics (Credits: 4)
  • ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics (Credits: 4)
  • and one of:
    • ECON 375 - Introduction to Econometrics (Credits: 4)
    • ECON 333 - Introduction to Game Theory (Credits: 4)
    • ECON 470 - Economic Fluctuations and Forecasting (Credits: 4)
    • ECON 475 - Econometrics (Credits: 4)
  • NOTE: MATH 101, MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 114, MATH 115, MATH 118, and MATH 240 may not be counted toward this major.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement