Mathematics Majors & Degrees

Mathematics Major

Requirements

See the Mathematics section of the college catalog for official major and minor requirements, course descriptions, and prerequisites. Some upper-division courses are offered every other year according to the following schedule; scheduling for other upper-division courses is available from your academic advisor:

  • Fall, even years: MA-108
  • Spring, odd years: MA-109, MA-130
  • Fall, odd years: MA-110
  • Spring, even years: MA-111, MA-135

Mathematics Major Sample Schedule

B.A. in Mathematics
B.S. in Mathematics
Fall (17)
  • MA009 Calculus I or MA010 Calculus II or MA019 Multivariable Calculus (4)
  • MA015 Discrete Mathematics (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Elective (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Spring (17)
  • MA010 Calculus II or MA020 Linear Algebra (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Fall (17)
  • MA009 Calculus I or MA010 Calculus II or MA019 Multivariable Calculus (4)
  • MA015 Discrete Mathematics (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Elective (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Spring (17)
  • MA010 Calculus II or MA020 Linear Algebra (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
B.A. in Mathematics
B.S. in Mathematics
Fall (17)
  • MA019 Multivariable (4)
  • CS010 Design and Implementation of Solutions (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Spring (17)
  • MA020 Linear Algebra (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Fall (17)
  • MA019 Multivariable Calculus (4)
  • CS010 Design and Implementation of Solutions (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Spring (17)
  • MA020 Linear Algebra (4)
  • CS030 Models for Problems Using Java (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
B.A. in Mathematics
B.S. in Mathematics
Fall (16) - Even Years
  • MA108 Mathematical Analysis (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • General Education (4)
Spring (16)
  • Mathematics Elective (4)
  • Mathematics Elective (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Elective (4)
Fall (16) - Even Years
  • MA108 Mathematical Analysis (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • General Education (4)
Spring (16)
  • MA109 Advanced Mathematical Analysis (4)
  • Mathematics Elective (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Elective (4)

*Third and Fourth years can be swapped depending on an even or odd year.

B.A. in Mathematics
B.S. in Mathematics
Fall (16) - Odd Years
  • MA110 Modern Algebra (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Elective (4)
  • Elective (4)
Spring (14)
  • Mathematics Elective (4)
  • Mathematics Elective (4)
  • Elective (4)
  • MA180 Capstone Problem Solving (2)
Fall (16) - Odd Years
  • MA110 Modern Algebra (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • Elective (4)
  • Elective (4)
Spring (14)
  • MA111 Applied Modern Algebra (4)
  • Mathematics Elective (4)
  • Common Inquiries GE (4)
  • MA180 Capstone Problem Solving (2)

*Third and Fourth years can be swapped depending on an even or odd year.

 

Mathematics Education Fast Track

Students completing the Mathematics Education Fast Track will earn a mathematics major (BA) and secondary teaching credential in mathematics in four years. Below is a SAMPLE schedule for how this might be achieved. Your schedule will probably not end up looking exactly like this depending on the timing of course offerings and if you entered Westmont with AP or college credit. What’s shown is the Fast Track schedule. Be aware that you also have the option of completing the Math major over a four-year period, with a fifth year reserved for your teaching credential. Please confer with your Math department advisor as major requirements sometimes change. Pre-requisites for the Education Program are in bold.
The Fast Track is for highly-motivated students who like mathematics. The course schedule is rigorous and requires significant time, planning, and dedication. Students should consider carefully whether this program is a good fit or if the five-year program would be better suited to their college goals.

Mathematics Education Sample Schedule

Mathematics Education
Fall (17)
  • MA009 Calculus I or MA010 Calculus II or MA019 Multivariable Calculus (4)
  • MA015 Discrete Mathematics (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • GE Common Skill: Foreign Language (4)
  • PEA 32: Fitness for Life (1)
Spring (17-21)
  • MA010 Calculus II (4)
  • MA020 Linear Algebra (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • Common Context GE (4)
  • ENG 2: Composition (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Mathematics Education
Fall (15-19)
  • MA 19: Multivariable Calculus or MA 136: Geometry (4)
  • MA 108: Real Analysis or MA 110: Abstract Algebra (4)
  • GE Common Context (4)
  • GE Common Inquiry (4)
  • KNS 156: Health Education (2)
  • PEA (1)
Spring (18)
  • MA Breadth (4)
  • GE Common Context (4)
  • GE Common Inquiry: Physical Science (4)
  • GE Common Inquiry (4)
  • ENG 106: Language Acquisition (4)
  • ED 161: Technology for the Classroom Teacher (2)
Mathematics Education
Fall (21)
  • ED 105: Cultural Diversity (4)
  • GE Common Inquiry (4)
  • GE Common Skills (4)
  • MA 108: Analysis or MA 110: Modern Algebra (4)
  • MA 19: Multivariable Calculus or MA 136: Geometry (4)
  • PEA (1)
Spring (20)
  • GE Common Inquiry (4)
  • GE Common Inquiry (4)
  • ED 101: Explorations in Teaching (4)
  • Elective (4)
  • MA 180: Senior Seminar (4)
Mathematics Education
Fall (14)
  • ED 111: Educational Psychology (4)
  • ED 124: Mathematics Curri. & Instruc. Planning (4)
  • ED 171: Content Area Literacy (4)
  • ED 130: Special Education (2)
Spring (15)
  • ED 191: Student Teaching (12)
  • ED 196: Student Teaching seminar (3)

 

Mathematics Minor

Build a strong mathematical foundation to enhance any STEM major! The mathematics minor requires courses such as Calculus and Linear Algebra to provide essential mathematical theory and knowledge. Students may then choose two courses from the entire range of upper division mathematics courses to support and enhance their particular goals and interests.

Requirements for a Mathematics Minor: 24 units

Required Courses:

  • MA 009, Calculus I (4)
  • MA 010 Calculus II (4)
  • MA 020 Linear Algebra (4)

Choose one of the following courses:

  • MA / CS 015 Discrete Mathematics (4)
  • MA 19 Multivariable Calculus (4)

Choose any 8 additional units from 4-unit upper-division mathematics courses: (8) 

 

Applied Mathematics Minor

Enhance your mathematical skills and deepen your understanding as you explore the practical applications of mathematics in real-world contexts. With a strong foundation in calculus, computer science, and linear algebra, this program equips you to apply your knowledge across diverse fields such as natural sciences, computer science, and data science. Ideal for students pursuing degrees in engineering or the natural sciences, this program offers the tools and expertise needed to tackle complex challenges in these dynamic disciplines.

Requirements for an Applied Mathematics Minor: 24 units

Required Courses:

  • CS 010 Design and Implementation of Solutions to Computational Problems (4)
  • MA 009 Calculus I (4)
  • MA 010 Calculus II (4)
  • MA 040 Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (4)

Choose one of the following courses:

  • CS/BIO 106 Computational Biology (4)
  • CS/MA 121 Introduction to Numerical Analysis (4)
  • MA 130 Probability and Statistics (4)
  • PHY 115 Mathematical Physics (4)

Have a question about the Mathematics major?

The Mathematics and Computer Science Department Chair Maryke van der Walt would love to help!

mvanderwalt@westmont.edu

 

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