Math & Computer Sciences
About the Program
The Mathematical and Computer Sciences Department offers a liberal arts major, leading to a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts in mathematics from the College of Letters and Sciences; or a teaching major, leading to a bachelor of science in education from the College of Education. The liberal arts degree requires 25 credits in the core courses and depending upon the student’s chosen emphasis, an additional 12-14 credits.
Students may choose from one of the five emphases offered by the department: Pure Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Mathematics, and Mathematics for Secondary Education Majors. In addition, students may obtain a Web Site Development and Administration Certificate requiring 15 credits or may minor in Website Development and Administration requiring 24 credits. Traditional minors in both mathematics and computer science are offered as well.
The degree choices provide students with a strong background for advanced study at the graduate level. Each program offers students a basic core of ideas, which serve as the basis for study in a specialized area of mathematics.
Accreditation
The College of Letters and Sciences is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This accreditation applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Career Opportunities
Mathematics majors have a wide variety of courses to choose from to design a program of study that meets their particular career paths. Careers may be found in the following areas:
- Management, operations research, quality control, research and development, computer-related activities in business, industry, banking and government
- Entry-level positions in statistics or actuarial departments of insurance companies; business or governmental agencies, space science research and applications
- Mathematics teaching in secondary education, technical and vocational schools, colleges and universities
- Graduate study in mathematics or mathematics education
Faculty
Mathematics students are taught exclusively by more than 30 faculty members in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. Approximately 90 percent of department faculty holds doctoral degrees; academic staff have at least master’s degrees. Faculty are active in embracing new ideas and incorporating them into their teaching. Several use technology in the classroom, and others are exploring the use of cooperative learning strategies. Over half of the mathematics faculty is actively involved in research that has culminated in presentations at state, national and international levels. No classes are taught by teaching assistants.
High School Preparation
Students preparing for a mathematics degree should take four years of high school mathematics and will ideally be ready to take calculus upon entering the university. Algebra skills and familiarity with the trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions are preferred. The Mathematics and Computer Science Department is engaged in early testing programs at area high schools. The department also offers placement credit for students who demonstrate mastery of the first or second calculus courses. This is usually done by scoring a three or better on the College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement Tests. Based on ACT math scores, requirements for math courses below calculus may be waived without credit.
Honors and Awards
Two department faculty have been honored with the W.P. Roseman Award, the highest university award for teaching, and two are winners of the UW-Whitewater Research Award. In addition, many faculty have won grants from NASA and the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium.
Internship Opportunities
Both internships and alumni mentorship opportunities are available through the department.
Placement
Mathematics graduates from UW-Whitewater enter a number of fields, including applied mathematics, physics; as actuaries in insurance agencies, staff members in research firms and as teachers.
Student Organizations
The Mathematics and Computer Science Department sponsors a student chapter of the Mathematics Association of America (MAA). By paying nominal dues, students may join the Student Math Association (SMA) and then have the option of becoming student members of the MAA for a slight additional charge. The SMA activities have included actuarial speakers, helping with Math Awareness Week, and bowling and softball socials.
Suggested Course of Study
Required Mathematics Courses
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II and III
Discrete Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Introduction to Analysis
Introduction to Abstract Algebra
Emphases (Choose one sequence)
Pure Mathematics
Secondary Education
Statistics
Computer Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
UW - Whitewater