2012 - 2013 Mathematics Program (MATH)

Objectives | Program Requirements | Academic Major | Plan of Study | Academic Minor | Teaching Minor | Placement | Course Descriptions

Faculty: Bill Bynum, Carolyn Connell, Jonas D'Andrea, Liz Herrick, Sean Raleigh, Richard Wellman, Janine Wittwer

Program Goals

1. Critical, Analytical, and Integrative Thinking
   a. To become effective problem solvers.
   b. In more advanced courses, to learn to read and construct valid mathematical proofs.
   c. To learn appropriate uses of technology at all levels.
   d. For majors, to achieve competency in the core curriculum of mathematics sufficient for success in a graduate program.
2. Creative and Reflective Capacities
   a. To gain an understanding of the historical development of mathematics and its role in the history of human civilization.
   b. To gain a greater appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics.
3. Writing and Other Communication Skills
   a. To learn how to effectively communicate one's mathematical ideas, both in writing and orally.
4. Leadership, Collaboration, and Teamwork
   a. To offer curricular and co-curricular opportunities for student leadership and collaboration.
5. Career Planning
   a. To learn about career opportunities in mathematics and related fields.
6. Global Consciousness, Social Responsibility, and Ethical Awareness
   a. To engage the community through service learning and other opportunities.
    

Objectives

The Mathematics Program offers an academic major, minor, and applied minor as well as a secondary teaching minor and 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 foreign language requirement) required for both the academic major and minors and the teaching minors. For students seeking a mathematics teaching Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 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.

For course prerequisites, please refer to the course description.

Academic Major

By choosing MATH 310, MATH 314, and MATH 363 as electives, a student with an Educator License is eligible for a Mathematics Level 4 Endorsement.

Recommended Plan of Study for Mathematics Majors

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.

Academic 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, in general.

Secondary Teaching Minor (Level 3)

Elementary Teaching Minor (Level 2)

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. Information about placement in the beginning courses (MATH 095–MATH 141) is contained in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog. Placement testing through the START Center may be helpful for proper placement.

Mathematics courses listing MATH 105 as a prerequisite may be satisfied in a variety of ways as described in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.

Students receiving scores of 3, 4, or 5 on one of the calculus advanced placement examinations receive the following Westminster credit: