Program Requirements (51 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

A major in mathematics provides a Bachelor of Arts degree and requires either a minimum of 36-39 semester hours for a general major with a minor or second major or a minimum of 51 semester hours for an extended major. Note: All mathematics courses listed as prerequisites for other mathematics courses must have been completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Students in the extended major (528) are required to satisfy a computational requirement by completing two courses chosen from CS 180, CS 290 , STAT 330, MATH 371, PHYS 316, or PHYS 318. [If MATH 371 is selected to fulfill this requirement, it cannot also be used as an elective in the extended major (528).] 

To prepare for graduate study in mathematics, the student must complete a minimum of 51 hours of mathematics with the following requirements:

Core Courses

Select one of the following concentrations:

B1: Fundamentals of Analysis and Discrete Mathematics

B2: Fundamentals of Applied Mathematics

B3: Fundamentals of Mathematical Studies

¹

Students may take certain 500-level mathematics courses for undergraduate credit in place of courses listed in items B1i, B1ii, B2i, B2ii, B3i, or B3ii with the approval of the mathematics department chair. No minor or second major for the extended major is required.

The Department of Mathematics offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree and a graduate Master of Science degree in an accelerated timeframe. The MS in Mathematics prepares students to be competitive applicants for admission into a Ph.D. program and/or for positions where strong research skills are needed. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information, see https://catalog.wku.edu/graduate/science-engineering/mathematics/mathematics-ms/

This JUMP program allows students to start working toward their MS in Mathematics with a concentration in General Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or Mathematical Economics (Ref: 085) while completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics (Ref: 528 and 728) or a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Economics (Ref: 731). Undergraduate students admitted into JUMP may take graduate courses that count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Up to 12 credit hours can be double-counted toward both degrees, and up to 15 hours of graduate courses can be taken while a student is completing the undergraduate degree. The key benefit of the JUMP program is that it allows students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated timeframe. For more information, see https://www.wku.edu/math/.

To be considered for admission to the JUMP program to earn a BA in Mathematics (or a BS in Mathematical Economics) and a MS in Mathematics in an accelerated timeframe, a student must meet the following requirements:

    Be a Mathematics or a Mathematical Economics major (includes programs with reference numbers 528, 728, and 731);

    Have completed at least 60 hours total, with at least 24 hours earned at WKU;

    Have at least 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the bachelor’s degree;

    Have completed or be enrolled in 15 credit hours in Mathematics;

    Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25;

    Have one of the following:

      a. 3.25 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least one of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439;

      b. 3.0 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least two of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439.

All applicants to Mathematics JUMP must submit to a Graduate Coordinator the following documents for consideration: two letters of recommendation from a WKU Mathematics faculty members and a statement of purpose outlining academic goals and motivation for pursuing the JUMP program.

Finish in Four Plans

Fundamentals of Analysis & Discrete Mathematics Concentration

Fundamentals of Applied Math Concentration

Fundamentals of Math Studies Concentration

Program Requirements (39 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

A major in mathematics provides a Bachelor of Arts degree and require a minimum of 39 semester hours for a general major with a minor or second major. Note: All mathematics courses listed as prerequisites for other mathematics courses must have been completed with a grade of “C” or better.

The general mathematics major (728) offers two options:

1. Teacher Certifiable Option (Secondary Mathematics Teacher Certification)
2. General (Non-teacher Certifiable) Option

Students in the general mathematics major (728) are required to satisfy a computational requirement as detailed within the options below.

Students must complete a minimum of 39 hours of mathematics with a minor or second major giving a total of at least 59 hours (53 unduplicated) with the following requirements.²

Core Mathematics Courses

All students in the general mathematics (728) major must complete the following core mathematics courses:

Teacher Certifiable Option (TCHR)

Students in the Teacher Certifiable Option must complete a second major in Science and Mathematics Education (774).

In addition to the Core Mathematics Courses, students must complete 12 additional hours as follows: 

Students in the Teacher Certifiable Option must satisfy a computational requirement by completing either CS 170 or CS 180.

General (Non-Teacher Certifiable) Option (MATN)

Students in the Non-Teacher Certifiable Option must complete a minor or second major giving a total of at least 59 hours (53 unduplicated).

In addition to the Core Mathematics Courses, students must complete 12 additional hours as follows: 

Students in the General Option must satisfy a computational requirement by completing either CS 180, PHYS 316, PHYS 318 or STAT 330.

¹

Students may take certain 500-level mathematics courses for undergraduate credit with the approval of the Department Chair in place of courses listed in the elective sections of the General Option.

²

Note: This major is not intended to prepare students adequately for graduate mathematics. Students intending to seek a graduate degree in mathematics should pursue major 528.

 The Department of Mathematics offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree and a graduate Master of Science degree in an accelerated timeframe. The MS in Mathematics prepares students to be competitive applicants for admission into a Ph.D. program and/or for positions where strong research skills are needed. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information, see https://catalog.wku.edu/graduate/science-engineering/mathematics/mathematics-ms/

This JUMP program allows students to start working toward their MS in Mathematics with a concentration in General Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or Mathematical Economics (Ref: 085) while completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics (Ref: 528 and 728) or a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Economics (Ref: 731). Undergraduate students admitted into JUMP may take graduate courses that count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Up to 12 credit hours can be double-counted toward both degrees, and up to 15 hours of graduate courses can be taken while a student is completing the undergraduate degree. The key benefit of the JUMP program is that it allows students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated timeframe. For more information, see https://www.wku.edu/math/.

To be considered for admission to the JUMP program to earn a BA in Mathematics (or a BS in Mathematical Economics) and a MS in Mathematics in an accelerated timeframe, a student must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Mathematics or a Mathematical Economics major (includes programs with reference numbers 528, 728, and 731);
• Have completed at least 60 hours total, with at least 24 hours earned at WKU;
• Have at least 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the bachelor’s degree;
• Have completed or be enrolled in 15 credit hours in Mathematics;
• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25;
• And have one of the following:
  • 3.25 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least one of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439;
  • 3.0 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least two of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439.

Finish in Four Plans

Teacher Certifiable Option (TCHR)

General (Non-Teacher Certifiable) Option (MATN)

Program Requirements (50-65 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

The major in Mathematical Economics requires a total of 120 credit hours with a core of 18 hours in economics, 15 hours in mathematics, and 1 hour of an interdisciplinary seminar course. The concentration in general mathematical economics requires an additional 9 hours in economics, 6 hours in mathematics, and 1 hour in a career readiness course. The concentration in actuarial science requires an additional 3 hours in economics, 9 hours in mathematics, 12 hours in finance, 3-4 hours in computer science, and 3 hours in actuarial science. 

The program of study does not require completion of a second major or minor.

¹

Students who plan to pursue a PhD in Economics should take MATH 307.

Additionally, majors must choose a concentration in either General Mathematical Economics or Actuarial Science. 

General Mathematical Economics Concentration

Actuarial Science Concentration

Finish in Four Plans

Actuarial Science Concentration

¹

Students who plan to pursue a PhD in Economics should take MATH 307.

²

It is recommended that ECON 465 should be taken during the second to last semester as it will help student prepare for the Senior Seminar. ECON 465 should not be taken concurrently with ECON 497

³

ECON 480 and FIN 438 are not required for the degree. However, FIN 438 can used toward a VEE credit, and ECON 480 will help students prepare for actuarial exams. 

General Concentration

¹

Students who plan to pursue a PhD in Economics should take MATH 307.

²

It is recommended that ECON 465 should be taken during the second to last semester as it will help student prepare for the Senior Seminar. ECON 465 should not be taken concurrently with ECON 497.

Program Requirements (34 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

Students must attain a grade of “C” or better in each required course and must have a 2.5 GPA overall in required mathematics courses.

Finish in Four Plans

Finish in Four Plan

Program Requirements (19 hours)

¹

Other than STAT 301, STAT 330, STAT 401, and STAT 402.

²

With prior approval from the Statistics Education Committee of the Department of Mathematics

Program Admission

To be admitted to the M.A. program, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Satisfy one of the following conditions:
   1. have a GPA of at least 3.0 in their undergraduate major, or
   2. have a GRE general score of at least 300.
2. A bachelor's degree in mathematics, OR the completion of the following undergraduate courses, with at most one deficiency:
   1. calculus sequence through multivariable calculus
   2. linear algebra
   3. discrete mathematics
   4. probability or calculus-based statistics
   5. abstract algebra
   6. geometry

Applicants must also have or be eligible for a teaching certificate for Secondary Mathematics (grades 8-12). A copy of the certificate or statement of eligibility must be submitted with the application.

Program Requirements (30 hours)

This program is designed to develop mathematics teachers who can positively impact student learning in their classrooms and schools. Courses and experiences include a study of advanced mathematics. The capstone for the MA in Mathematics is a research project that focuses on the teaching and learning of mathematics, from an advanced perspective.

Comprehensive exams in mathematics are required. A student who chooses to do a thesis is required to complete 6 hours of MATH 599 and to give an oral defense of the thesis.

Secondary Education Completion Requirements

1. Successfully complete all courses with a grade of C or higher
2. Give acceptable presentation of action research in approved venue.
3. Achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA overall in all course work.
4. Successful completion of comprehensive exams.

Program Admission

General Mathematics Concentration

1. One of the following:
   1. A minimum GAP score of 575 [GAP = (GRE-V + GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
   2. A 2.75 cumulative GPA.
2. Completion of the following undergraduate courses:
   1. a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus;
   2. linear algebra;
   3. discrete mathematics;
   4. an applied mathematics course (e.g. differential equations, probability, calculus-based statistics, numerical analysis);
   5. abstract algebra, analysis, advanced calculus, or topology.
3. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one of the following:
   1. all mathematics and statistics courses that are applicable to the undergraduate mathematics major;
   2. courses specified in (b) through (e) of Item 2 above.

Computational Mathematics Concentration

1. One of the following:
   1. A minimum GAP score of 575 [GAP = (GRE-V + GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
   2. A 2.75 cumulative GPA.
2. Completion of the following undergraduate courses:
   1. two-semester single-variable calculus sequence;
   2. linear algebra;
   3. discrete  mathematics;
   4. one-year sequence of programming courses;
   5. B.A. degree with a major in either Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or Physics.
3. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one of the following:
   1. all mathematics and computer science courses that are listed in (a) through (d) of Item 2 above; or
   2. all courses in the major listed in (e) of Item 2 above.  Students cannot enter the program if they have a deficiency in the courses listed in Item 2 above.

Mathematical Economics Concentration

1. One of the following:
   1. A minimum GAP score of 600 [GAP = (GRE-V+GRE-Q) + (Undergraduate GPA x 100)];
   2. A 3.0 cumulative GPA.
2. An undergraduate degree majoring in economics, mathematics, mathematical economics, or other related majors with completion of the following undergraduate courses:
   1. a calculus sequence through multivariable calculus
   2. discrete mathematics
   3. principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics
   4. one semester of junior- or senior-level probability theory
   5. differential equations

Program Requirements (33 hours)

General Mathematics Concentration

Computational Mathematics Concentration

Students in the computational mathematics concentration must have a working knowledge of a high-level programming language.

Mathematical Economics Concentration

¹

If classes with similar course content were taken at the undergraduate level, then the student must substitute appropriate graduate courses selected in consultation with a Mathematics Department graduate advisor.

²

With advisor approval.

 Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) in Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree and a graduate Master of Science degree in an accelerated timeframe. The MS in Mathematics prepares students to be competitive applicants for admission into a Ph.D. program and/or for positions where strong research skills are needed. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information, see https://catalog.wku.edu/graduate/science-engineering/mathematics/mathematics-ms/

This JUMP program allows students to start working toward their MS in Mathematics with a concentration in General Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or Mathematical Economics (Ref: 085) while completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics (Ref: 528 and 728) or a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Economics (Ref: 731). Undergraduate students admitted into JUMP may take graduate courses that count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Up to 12 credit hours can be double-counted toward both degrees, and up to 15 hours of graduate courses can be taken while a student is completing the undergraduate degree. The key benefit of the JUMP program is that it allows students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated timeframe. For more information, see https://www.wku.edu/math/.

To be considered for admission to the JUMP program to earn a BA in Mathematics (or a BS in Mathematical Economics) and a MS in Mathematics in an accelerated timeframe, a student must meet the following requirements:

Be a Mathematics or a Mathematical Economics major (includes programs with reference numbers 528, 728, and 731);

Have completed at least 60 hours total, with at least 24 hours earned at WKU;

Have at least 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the bachelor’s degree;

Have completed or be enrolled in 15 credit hours in Mathematics;

Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25;

Have one of the following:

3.25 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least one of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439;

3.0 GPA in the Mathematics or Mathematical Economics major AND a grade of B or higher in at least two of the courses: MATH 307, MATH 310, MATH 317, MATH 337, MATH 439.