Math Program
WSU’s Mathematics program offers innovative curriculum in an age-old field. Whether it’s predicting weather, making sound business choices, modeling disease, or securing digital information, mathematics is at the heart of all analysis, and therefore increasingly prevalent in today’s world.
Mathematics majors gain the tools to find meaning in complex situations, learn about a wide variety of structures and relationships, and develop mathematical thinking skills required for solving problems in any field.
You might be a Math major if…
- You enjoy puzzles such as Sudoku, Code Crackers, Rubik’s Cube, Sokoban, Crosswords, and Logic Puzzles
- You are an algebra wizard
- You like to play games with complicated rules or strategies such as Go, Bridge, Set, Chess, Cribbage, Outbreak, and Magic the Gathering
- You like discovering and describing patterns
- You are a persistent problem-solver
Plenty of schools offer math programs, but there are a few things that set WSU’s program apart.
Our majors enjoy mathematics inside and outside the classroom.
With our active student club, there are always opportunities to grow and explore mathematics within our community of learners.
Unlike some larger institutions, all classes are taught by experienced faculty instead of graduate students.
Our faculty’s primary goal is your success.
The average size of a mathematics class in our department is only 35 students.
This means you get the teacher-student interaction you need to ensure success.
Looking to combine Mathematics with another field?
Or are you looking to prepare for graduate school?
We have options for you.
Degree Options
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
The Mathematics major provides students with an extended investigation of the techniques, applications, and theories of mathematics. The Mathematics Core requirements expose students to a diverse range of mathematical topics and provide in-depth, rigorous study in selected areas.
Students choose from electives which further broaden their understanding of mathematics. They will also complete a series of courses, including an independent project that supplements their mathematical knowledge or complete another major or minor. The Mathematics major can prepare you for graduate school in mathematics, or for employment in industry and government.
Reference our major maps for an idea of what your semester schedules might look like:
Minor in Mathematics
The Mathematics minor is highly attractive to potential employers or graduate schools in other disciplines, and recognizes students majoring in other fields who have demonstrated significant mathematical skills and knowledge.
Majors in Engineering need only 1-2 additional courses to obtain the Minor in Mathematics.
Even if you do not want to minor in Mathematics, consider taking one more mathematics course beyond your major requirements. Any mathematics professor and/or your advisor can help clarify which mathematics courses would be most relevant to your major and interests.
These are just a few fields that pair well with Mathematics:
- Statistics
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Engineering
- Biology
- Economics
- Finance
Maybe you dream of becoming a finance professional, biotech expert, professor, or even a lawyer.
These options, and many more, are possible through a degree in mathematics.
There are plenty of jobs in the private sector that require the skills learned in a math degree.
Whether you’re interested in developing models and interpreting their results, excited about creating efficient algorithms to expedite known processes, or intrigued by the mechanisms involved in securing data systems, mathematics and its applications are the tools of choice.
Some job areas include:
- Modeling
- Finance
- Computer Science
- Biotech
- Cryptography & Security
Studying mathematics develops analytical skills and the ability to work in a problem-solving environment, which makes it a great major for professional graduate schools such as business, law, and medicine.
Entrance exams support this bias.
A study by the National Institute of Education compared LSAT and GMAT scores of 550,000 college students and found that students majoring in mathematics typically received scores 13% higher than the average—more than any other major.
Pursuing a graduate degree in mathematics will broaden your career opportunities in industry, government, and academia.
Research and development positions often require at least a Master’s degree in mathematics or some related field. Typically, a PhD is required for the academic work of providing others a university-level education while pursuing your own mathematical and academic research interests.
The WSU undergraduate program in Mathematics is your first step on this journey.
- Plan to take MATH 312 (Multivariable Calculus) and MATH 327 (Foundations of Mathematics) as early as possible. Once you’ve taken these courses, you take almost any elective course.
- Apply for REUs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) in the early spring of your 2nd and 3rd years.
- Near the end of your 2nd year, start thinking seriously about what classes you liked best and about an independent research project. Talk to your advisor and favorite instructors for ideas and guidance. Make sure to start the project on or before the first week of your senior year. Don’t wait until your last semester!
- Go on the graduate school visits (organized by the department each fall) starting in your 2nd year
- In Spring of your 3rd year, talk to your advisor about whether the GRE-Math subject exam is appropriate for you and your plans
- Take the general GRE early fall semester of senior year
- Before Thanksgiving break: have a handful of schools identified, a draft of your personal statement written, and ask your favorite instructors for letters of recommendation
- Apply! Some graduate schools have deadlines as early as December 1; some as late as February.