Degree Overview | Required Courses | Contact | Career Information

DEGREE OVERVIEW

Mathematics is one of the basic tools underlying every science.  In addition, mathematics provides a language to describe an immense variety of phenomena: from the distribution of prime numbers (useful for encrypting communications and an important area of ongoing research here at CWU) to signal processing (useful for analyzing photos and sound, as well as picking out important patterns hidden in immense data sets), mathematics finds applications everywhere.  Besides its many applications, mathematics can show us hidden beauty: how juggling sequences behave like prime numbers or how incredibly complicated fractals are consequences of simple rules.

Why should you major in mathematics at CWU?

• All mathematics majors learn to communicate complicated ideas clearly and precisely, an important skill in all technical fields.
• You can enroll in an honors seminar every quarter, and do research on the ideas presented in the seminar.
• Be exposed to a wide range of research areas: number theory, differential equations, cryptology, modeling, analysis, and more.
• Challenge yourself with the Putnam Exam, or the Kryptos competition, or the Mathematical Competition in Modeling.
• Degree Outcome

REQUIRED COURSES

MATH 172 - Calculus I. Credits: (5)
MATH 173 - Calculus II. Credits: (5)
MATH 260 - Sets and Logic. Credits: (5)
MATH 265 - Linear Algebra I. Credits: (4)
MATH 272 - Multivariable Calculus I. Credits: (5)
MATH 273 - Multivariable Calculus II. Credits: (5)
MATH 299S - Seminar - Math Major Orientation.Credits: (4)
MATH 335 - Combinatorics and Graph Theory. Credits: (4)
MATH 351 - Point Set Topology. Credits: (4)
MATH 365 - Linear Algebra II. Credits: (4)
MATH 371 - Advanced Calculus. Credits: (4)
MATH 499S - Senior Seminar. Credits: (2)

Select one of two sequences - Credits: 8

Abstract Algebra

Advanced Analysis

Department-approved upper-division electives - Credits: 8

Electives Courses: 207, 320, 337, 372, 376, 377, 398, or any 400-level MATH course (excluding MATH 405, 406, 486, 490, 491, 499S). At most 4 credits total can be from MATH 207 and 407.

Applications of Math Electives - Credits: 6

Math department-approved electives in Application oriented courses, numbered 300 or higher (could be in Math, Physics, Econ, Finance, Chemistry, Biology)

Total Credits: 73

Students in the 98-credit major are also required to take:

MATH 314 - Probability and Statistics Credits: (5)
MATH 376 - Differential Equations I Credits: (3)
MATH 377 - Differential Equations II Credits: (3)
MATH 461 - Abstract Algebra I Credits: (4)
MATH 462 - Abstract Algebra II Credits: (4)
MATH 471 - Advanced Analysis I Credits: (4)
MATH 472 - Advanced Analysis II Credits: (4)

Math Electives - Credits: 20

Electives Courses: 207, 320, 337, 372, 398, or any 400-level MATH course (excluding MATH 405, 406, 486, 490, 491, 499E). At most 4 credits total can be from MATH 207 and 407.

Total Credits: 98

(visit course catalog) | CWU BS Mathematics Student Study Plan (pdf)

CONTACT

Dr. Jim Bisgard > bisgardj@cwu.edu | 509/963.2823

webpage: www.cwu.edu/~bisgardj/

Math Department >

Brenda Bland
BlandB@cwu.edu
509/963.2103
F 509/963.3226

CAREER INFORMATION

Links

SIAM > www.siam.org/careers
American Mathematical Society > www.ams.org/prosession/student
Mathematical Association of American > www.maa.org/news/
Association for Women in Mathematics > www.awm-math.org

Degree Outcome

Graduates will:

• be able to use differential and integral calculus as well as sequences and series to solve problems.
• be able to use concepts of vector subspaces of Rn and Rn×m to solve problems.
• be to write proofs using contrapositive, contradiction, cases, and mathematical induction.
• know standard applications of calculus, linear algebra, and statistics.
• be able to apply their understanding of mathematics to fields outside of mathematics.
• be able to describe the differences between the following types of mathematics: discrete/continuous, algebraic/geometric, pure/applied, and deterministic/stochastic.
• be able to communicate mathematical ideas through writing.
• be able to communicate mathematical ideas orally

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