Mathematics Program Requirements

Faculty

• Spencer Bagley
• Bill Bynum
• Jonas D’Andrea
• Kenan Ince (Chair)
• Sean Raleigh
• Bianca Thompson
• Janine Wittwer

view Mathematics Courses

Program Goals

• Critical Thinking
  • To become effective problem solvers.
  • In more advanced courses, to learn to read and construct valid mathematical proofs.
  • To learn appropriate uses of technology at all levels.
  • For majors, to achieve competency in the core curriculum of mathematics sufficient for success in a graduate program.
• Creativity
  • To understand the historical development of mathematics and its role in the history of human civilization.
  • To gain a greater appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics.
• Collaboration
  • To offer curricular and co-curricular opportunities for student leadership and collaboration.
• Communication
  • To learn how to effectively communicate one’s mathematical ideas, both in writing and orally.
• Global Responsibility
  • To engage the community through service learning and other opportunities.
• Career Planning
  • To learn about career opportunities in mathematics and related fields.

Objectives

The Mathematics Program offers an academic major, minor, and applied minor as well as an elementary teaching minor. The curriculum in mathematics at Westminster meets the needs of students preparing to teach mathematics, students planning on graduate studies, students desiring to pursue non-teaching degrees in mathematics, students majoring in other academic disciplines who need a mathematics foundation, and students desiring practice in the art of logical thinking.

Program Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA in courses (excluding the world language requirement) required for both the academic major and minors and the teaching minors. For students seeking a mathematics teaching Level 2 endorsement, each course grade must be at least C. No more than six (6) credit hours from May term courses may be applied to the elective upper division mathematics requirement for the academic major. Prerequisite courses must be satisfied with a grade of C- or better. Students enrolled in mathematics courses without the required prerequisites may be withdrawn by the instructor.

Students must meet the college-wide graduation requirements in addition to the Mathematics major:

• 124 total hours
• 30 upper division hours
• WCore or Honors College requirements

Mathematics Major

Recommended Plan of Study

Listed below is a suggested plan of study for completing the mathematics course requirements. Students should check with their advisors at least once a year as course offerings may change from what is listed. Students must also meet college-wide requirements for graduation.

Mathematics Minor

Applied Minor

Students may count credit hours in sections I and II below toward this minor and toward completion of a major. In other words, this is an exception to the college policy that disallows double-counting of elective courses.

Elementary Teaching Minor (Level II)

Placement in Mathematics Courses

A member of the mathematics faculty should be consulted for any questions about placement in mathematics courses.

Proper placement in mathematics is critical, especially for students registering for a freshman-level mathematics course. Students with questions regarding placement should consult with their academic advisors.

Students receiving scores of  4 or 5 on one of the calculus advanced placement examinations receive the following Westminster credit: