Bachelor of Arts
Mathematics
Program Overview
The Mathematics program will prepare you to serve in the marketplace in a wide range of fields including business, education, science, and engineering. In addition to developing strong logical, analytical, and computational skills, the program seeks to model Christian maturity and to guide students as they discover the glory of God in mathematics.
“Employment of mathematicians is expected to increase by 22 percent during the 2008–18 decade, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Advancements in technology usually lead to expanding applications of mathematics, and more workers with knowledge of mathematics will be required in the future…. Many mathematicians also are involved in financial analysis and in life sciences research.”
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Teaching at the secondary school level is also a typical career path for mathematicians; school districts highly value educators with a single subject teaching credential in mathematics. The Math program at WJU can easily be coupled with a credential to allow you to teach Math in the public or private setting.
Program Details
MATH140 Calculus I
Fundamentals of calculus including functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, and integration.
MATH141 Calculus II
Continues in topics of calculus including integrals and transcendental functions, techniques of integration, first order differential equations, infinite sequence and series, and parametric equations.
MATH210 Linear Algebra
Linear systems, matrices, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, inner products, norms, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonality and applications. Provides a foundation for many areas of study in mathematics, computer science, engineering, and science.
MATH241 Differential Equations
An introduction into the theory, methods of solution, and selected applications of ordinary differential equations. Topics include first order equations, second order linear equations with constant coefficients, numerical analysis of ordinary differential equations, Laplace Transforms, series solutions, and systems of differential equations.
MATH242 Calculus III
The differential and integral calculus of Euclidean 2‐ and 3‐space are developed in this course. The treatment of real‐valued functions of two or more real variables and their partial derivatives are also included. Functions that associate vectors with real numbers are studied. Applications to geometry, physics, and engineering are covered. The course provides a brief study of both double and triple integrals for functions of two or three variables. A laboratory approach is used in graphing two‐ and three‐space group activities and projects.
MATH300 History of Mathematics and Number Theory
Designed to acquaint the student with the widely known theorem, conjectures, unsolved problems and proofs of number theory. Topics may include divisibility, primes, congruencies, Diophantine equations and arithmetic functions. In addition, the history of mathematics, from the beginning of recorded civilization to the present, will be covered.
MATH300 History of Mathematics and Number Theory
Designed to acquaint the student with the widely known theorem, conjectures, unsolved problems and proofs of number theory. Topics may include divisibility, primes, congruencies, Diophantine equations and arithmetic functions. In addition, the history of mathematics, from the beginning of recorded civilization to the present, will be covered.
MATH320 Probability
Discrete and continuous probability including conditional probability; independence and Bayes’ Theorem; expected value, variance, and moments of a random variable; distributions, methods for identifying distributions, and the Central Limit Theorem; and statistical hypothesis testing, errors, correlation, regression equations, and analysis of variance.
MATH410 Abstract Algebra
An introduction to the theory of groups, rings, and fields. Topics in group theory include Lagrange’s theorem, quotient groups, applications to geometry, public key cryptography, and finitely generated abelian groups. Topics in ring theory include ideals, quotient rings, and polynomial rings. Topics in field theory include field extensions, Euclidean construction problems, cubic and quartic equations.
MATH461 Real Analysis
An advanced study of the real‐number system, functions, sequences, series, continuity, differentiation, integrality, and convergence by use of the limit concept and basic axioms of the real number field.
MATH498 Senior Seminar
A capstone seminar in which faculty members, some guests, and the students give lectures on topics of general interest in mathematics. Students compile their senior portfolio, which encapsulates their learning experience in the mathematics program.
CSCI100 Introduction to Computer Programming
Computing has profoundly changed the world. However, just using a computer is only a small part of the picture. Real empowerment comes when one learns how to program computers, to translate ideas into code. In this class, we teach basic programming skills in Python with an emphasis on the computation thinking practices required to write good programs. There will be a combination of programming projects and readings about the social implications and global impact of computing. Formerly SCI140.
Math Electives
Math electives (Choose six units from below) 6
Discrete Mathematics (MATH305) 3
Modern Geometry (MATH350) 3
Complex Analysis (MATH460) 3
Numerical Analysis (MATH462) 3
Topics in Mathematics (MATH499) 3
Offerings
Bachelor of Arts
BA in Mathematics
Minor
Mathematics Minor