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Mathematics

Mathematics

Bachelor of Science

Degree Type

Major, Minor, Secondary Licensure

Department

Math & Computer Science Department

Mathematicians enjoy creating solutions to challenging problems across all fields and economic sectors. They help protect national security, develop revolutionary robotics and contribute to medical discoveries. Whatever your interests may be, a strong foundation in mathematics opens doors to a variety of rewarding fields.

Program Overview

Math students

Study everything–from mathematical models–to technological innovations.

If you’re passionate about analyzing data and solving complex numerical problems, you’ll find your niche in the Mathematics program. Through intensive coursework, you’ll learn how to find familiar structures, make predictions and work your way through complex problems. The ability to extrapolate meaning out of large data sets is increasingly relevant and desired in business, finance, engineering, medicine and the sciences. In fact, mathematics is extremely versatile and complements any degree that uses the scientific process. As a student at Western Colorado University, you’ll also have the unique opportunity of taking classes from expert faculty in the new, state-of-the-art Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering at the heart of Western’s campus.

Whether you want to help develop products with engineers using mathematical models or evaluate economic trends to help businesses make smart investments, the job outlook is good for mathematicians. Math-related occupations are expected to grow 33 percent through 2026—a much higher rate than other occupations.

A strong foundation

A degree in Mathematics gives you the opportunity to choose almost any career path in finance, engineering, medicine or the sciences.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

Program Requirements

All standard majors require a minor in a second discipline or a second major.

A minimum of 41 credits is required, including the 25-credit Mathematics Core:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Mathematics Core
CS 190Computer Science I3
MATH 151Calculus I (GT-MA1)4
MATH 251Calculus II4
MATH 260Applied Linear Algebra3
MATH 451Analysis I3
MATH 471Abstract Algebra I3
MATH 495Senior Seminar2
Choose one of the following:3
MATH 200
Discrete Mathematics
MATH 220
Introduction to Advanced Mathematics
Total Credits25

And at least 16 credits from the following:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Select at least 16 credits from the following:16
CS 191
Computer Science II
MATH 213
Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1)
MATH 252
Calculus III
Any upper-division mathematics course excluding MATH 323, MATH 367, and MATH 390
Total Credits16

College Algebra ready

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
MATH 140 College Algebra (GT-MA1) 3
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
Elective Elective/Minor 3
Elective Elective/Minor 3
 Credits16
Spring
CS 190 Computer Science I 3
MATH 141 Precalculus (GT-MA1) 4
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
Elective Elective/Minor 3
 Credits16
Year Two
Fall
MATH 151 Calculus I (GT-MA1) 4
MATH 260 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Elective Elective/Minor 1
 Credits15
Spring
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
MATH 251 Calculus II 4
MATH Elective MATH Elective 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
 Credits14
Year Three
Fall
MATH 220 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics 3
MATH Elective MATH Elective 3
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Elective Elective/Minor 6
 Credits15
Spring
MATH Elective MATH Elective (upper division) 6
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
Elective Elective/Minor 3
Elective Elective (upper division)/Minor 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
MATH 451 Analysis I 3
Elective MATH Elective (upper division) 3
Elective Elective (upper division)/Minor 9
 Credits15
Spring
MATH 471 Abstract Algebra I 3
MATH 495 Senior Seminar 2
Elective Elective (upper division)/Minor 9
 Credits14
 Total Credits120


Calculus Ready

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
MATH 151 Calculus I (GT-MA1) 4
MATH 260 Applied Linear Algebra 3
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits14
Spring
CS 190 Computer Science I 3
MATH 251 Calculus II 4
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
Elective Elective/Minor 3
 Credits16
Year Two
Fall
MATH 220 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Elective Elective/Minor 6
 Credits16
Spring
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
Elective MATH Elective 3
Elective MATH Elective (upper division) 3
Elective Elective/Minor 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
 Credits16
Year Three
Fall
Elective MATH Elective 3
Elective MATH Elective (upper division) 3
Elective Elective/Minor 6
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
 Credits15
Spring
MATH 471 Abstract Algebra I 3
Elective MATH Elective (upper division) 3
Elective Elective (upper division)/Minor 3
Elective Elective (upper division)/Minor 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
MATH 451 Analysis I 3
Elective MATH Elective (upper division) 3
Elective Elective/Minor 3
Elective Elective (upper division)/Minor 6
 Credits15
Spring
MATH 495 Senior Seminar 2
Elective Elective (upper division)/Minor 9
Elective Elective/Minor 3
 Credits14
 Total Credits121

Spotlight

Mathematics

Lindsey Possehl

Alumni

"A 2015 graduate, Lindsey Possehl double majored in Mathematics and Computer Science, which led to her current role as a data scientist for Ruffalo Noel Levitz."

Mathematics

Kendric Evans

Alumni

"At Western, you really have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty, which helped me gain a very real depth and breadth of knowledge in my field."

Careers


Top Skills

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Research Skills
  • Statistical Analysis



Career Pathways

  • Actuary
  • Data Scientist
  • Financial Analyst
  • Investment Banker
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Statistician

Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.

Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your Scholarships

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.

Get involved

Mathematics

Expand your community and your network.

There are so many ways that you can maximize your educational experience at Western. Take advantage of these opportunities to advance your career.

  • Conferences: Students and faculty travel to two conferences each year.
  • Seminars: Faculty show what they have been working on and students present their research projects.
  • Tutoring Jobs: Available to students interested in teaching others and mastering basic principles.
  • Lambda Learning Center (LLC): The LLC exists to provide academic support for math, computer science, and engineering, as well as to facilitate student learning beyond the classroom. Students, tutors, and professors get together and create a culture centered not only around understanding and mastering STEM-related coursework, but also exploring new ideas in STEM and building community.

Bringing data to life

A small group of graduating Mathematics seniors pursue a practical project necessitating professional levels of problem-solving, research and critical thinking. Final projects are of high quality, so they can be used by professionals and decision-makers in the field.

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Additional Resources

Math Tutoring

The Math Tutoring program was designed to be a supportive environment that provides personalized assistance to help students improve their math skills.

Learn More

Department Information

Math & Computer Science Department

Department Chairperson

Jeremy Muskat, Ph.D.

Chair of Mathematics and Computer Science, Professor of Mathematics

Rady Building Administrative Assistant

Kelley Jones

Administrative Assistant III

Campus Location

Rady Building 272

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