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
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:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Mathematics Core | ||
CS 190 | Computer Science I | 3 |
MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 4 |
MATH 251 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 260 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
MATH 451 | Analysis I | 3 |
MATH 471 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
MATH 495 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
MATH 200 | Discrete Mathematics | |
MATH 220 | Introduction to Advanced Mathematics | |
Total Credits | 25 |
And at least 16 credits from the following:
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 Credits | 16 |
College Algebra ready
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
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 |
Credits | 16 | |
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 |
Credits | 16 | |
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 |
Credits | 15 | |
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 |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
MATH 220 | Introduction to Advanced Mathematics | 3 |
MATH Elective | MATH Elective | 3 |
Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
Elective | Elective/Minor | 6 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
MATH Elective | MATH Elective (upper division) | 6 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
Elective | Elective/Minor | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper division)/Minor | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
MATH 451 | Analysis I | 3 |
Elective | MATH Elective (upper division) | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper division)/Minor | 9 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
MATH 471 | Abstract Algebra I | 3 |
MATH 495 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
Elective | Elective (upper division)/Minor | 9 |
Credits | 14 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Calculus Ready
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
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 |
Credits | 14 | |
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 |
Credits | 16 | |
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 |
Credits | 16 | |
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 |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | MATH Elective | 3 |
Elective | MATH Elective (upper division) | 3 |
Elective | Elective/Minor | 6 |
Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
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 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
MATH 451 | Analysis I | 3 |
Elective | MATH Elective (upper division) | 3 |
Elective | Elective/Minor | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper division)/Minor | 6 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
MATH 495 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
Elective | Elective (upper division)/Minor | 9 |
Elective | Elective/Minor | 3 |
Credits | 14 | |
Total Credits | 121 |
Spotlight
Careers
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 ScholarshipsWestern’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 ScholarshipsAlumni 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.
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.
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
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.
News & Research
Additional Resources
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 JonesAdministrative Assistant III
Campus Location
Rady Building 272