Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2013-2014 Catalog Program: Applied Mathematics, BS Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Applied Mathematics, BS

Department of Mathematics, College of Sciences and Technology

70 credits in mathematics plus 18-21 credits in supporting courses

Introduction/What is the Study of Applied 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 Consider an Applied 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.” 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 BA and BS Mathematics majors, this major requires that the student take a carefully selected sequence of courses focusing on a particular area of application of mathematics.

 Contact Information

Department Chair
Tjalling Ypma
Bond Hall 202A
360-650-3785
Tjalling.Ypma@wwu.edu

Undergraduate Advisor
See Department Office
Bond Hall 202
360-650-3785
Math.Department@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Actuary | Research Analyst | Statistician | Biostatistician | Math Teacher | Demographer | Database Administrator | Information Scientist

 Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

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

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed

❑ 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

❑ Choose either:

    MATH 204 - Elementary Linear Algebra

    MATH 331 - Ordinary Differential Equations

    OR

    MATH 203 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations I
    MATH 303 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations II
 MATH 224 - Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I
 MATH 226 - Limits and Infinite Series
 MATH 304 - Linear Algebra
 MATH 312 - Proofs in Elementary Analysis
 MATH 331 - Ordinary Differential Equations
 M/CS 375 - Numerical Computation
 M/CS 475 - Numerical Analysis

❑ One course from:

    MATH 302 - Introduction to Proofs Via Number Theory
    MATH 309 - Introduction to Proof in Discrete Mathematics

❑ Choose either:

    MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference
    MATH 342 - Statistical Methods

   or

    MATH 441 - Probability
    MATH 442 - Mathematical Statistics

❑ 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.

❑ One of the following concentrations:

Engineering Concentration:

       MATH 225 - Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II
       MATH 438 - Introduction to Complex Variables

      One course from:

            MATH 430 - Fourier Series and Applications to Partial Differential Equations
            MATH 432 - Systems of Differential Equations

Operations Research Concentration:

       M/CS 335 - Linear Optimization
       M/CS 435 - Nonlinear Optimization
       MATH 410 - Mathematical Modeling

❑ No fewer than 3 additional credits from:

   400- level MATH courses

   400- level M/CS courses

    CSCI 405 - Analysis of Algorithms and Data Structures II
    CSCI 480 - Computer Graphics

❑ 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 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 Systems
    CSCI 345 - Object Oriented Design
    CSCI 401 - Automata and Formal Language Theory

    or

    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

University Graduation Requirements

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

Notes: