Mathematics

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Note: Mathematics major students cannot minor in Mathematics.

The bachelor of science degree in Mathematics provides students with a strong theoretical foundation and practical applications to help graduates secure STEM-related jobs in the South Sound region. The program is structured so that you will see the three branches of mathematics: algebra, analysis, and geometry, and study one of these topics in depth. A two-quarter sequence of study in one of these branches is required, fostering a depth and maturity of mathematical thought in a modern context. The flexibility of this degree allows you to follow multiple pathways into the major and upper division courses while supporting your personal career goals.

Mathematics career options

Mathematics is an established field of study and a growing area of opportunity. Through your choice of electives, you can customize your degree to prepare for careers in education, government agencies, or the private sector. Specifically, you can pursue careers in engineering, physics, actuarial science, quantitative finance, database and computer systems administration, network and data communication analysis, statistical analysis, secondary mathematics teaching, and other fields. Students with a major in mathematics often pursue graduate studies in mathematics, physics, and engineering.

Math Coordinators Email Addresses

Mathematics student learning outcomes

By graduating with a BS in Mathematics, you will be able to understand, communicate, and apply mathematics. In particular, you will be able to:

  • Comprehend, discover, and communicate common principles from algebra, geometry, and analysis,
  • Use probability or statistics correctly and effectively,
  • Recognize, understand and also make your own mathematically rigorous arguments,
  • Interpret and present results to a technical audience, both in writing and verbally,
  • Describe how mathematical or quantitatively-based arguments affect society,
  • Modify problems to make them tractable,
  • Use technology to aid in solving problems,
  • Apply quantitative theory, modeling, or mathematical principles to other disciplines to solve problems.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING COURSE REPEATS:

The Division of Sciences and Mathematics requests that all students who plan to register for courses that they have previously taken fill out a petition to repeat the course (Link to petition).  The Division hopes that this process will help students reflect on their performance in the class and make concrete plans for success in the coming quarter.

  • Students who submit a petition prior to our first priority date (February 26) will receive decisions by March 9 (2nd week of Registration Period 2).
  • Students who submit a petition prior to our second priority date (March 24), will receive decisions before the first day of classes.
  • Petitions received after the second priority date will be reviewed but may not receive recommendations until after classes have started.

     Mathematics degree requirements

For Mathematics, you need to complete 79 credits and earn 25 mathematics community points to meet the degree requirements.  You must earn a total of 180 quarter credits, or 225 quarter credits for a double degree, in order to earn a bachelor degree in your chosen major.

For more information, contact an academic advisor.

List of required courses for the Mathematics major.
Core Courses (47 credits)
Extended core (5 credits)

The extended core requires one of the two classes listed below. Notice that students must complete at least one two-quarter sequence but only one sequence is offered every year. Algebra is offered winter and spring of even years and Analysis is offered winter and spring of odd years.

Electives guaranteeing breadth of knowledge (25 credits)

A total of 25 credits must be taken and each area requires a minimum of three credits and at least one class. No more than 5 credits can be satisfied by a course numbered below 300. No more than 5 credits can be satisfied by TMATH 496 or TMATH 498. Note that a class may satisfy two elective areas which will afford students the promised flexibility to tailor their studies toward their desired career goals.

Area: Computing
Area: Math in Culture
Area: Modeling
Area: Probability/Statistics
Area: Topology/Geometry
Additional Courses that count as general electives
Capstone experience

The Mathematics Capstone class TMATH 450 must be completed and is designed to both provide opportunities to earn mathematics community points and to hone students' technical communication skills. Students must complete a research experience such as an independent reading, undergraduate research experience, special topics course, internship, or senior thesis before enrolling so that they can draw upon the experience and results when creating their paper and presentation.

Additional requirements

All BS students must complete the following requirements prior to graduation from UW Tacoma:

  • 10 credits of foreign language - two quarters in college or two years in high school of a single language
  • 20 credits of VLPA - Visual, Literary and Performing Arts (humanities)
  • 20 credits of I&S - Individual and Societies (social science courses)

It is common for transfer students to have already met some or all of these requirements. Whatever a student is missing will become part of his or her study plan while at UW Tacoma.

Mathematics portfolio requirements

Portfolios are submitted as part of course requirements for TMATH 450.

Checklist of Portfolio Requirements for BS in Mathematics

Required materials and opportunities are assigned in key courses and are collected electronically beginning in TMATH 300. A completed portfolio is submitted as part of the course requirements for TMATH 450. Details about each item in the list below are provided through the Canvas course Mathematics Portfolio.

  • Mathematics Community Points: A minimum of 25 points earned by attending public math talks, giving math presentations, and attending math centered events.
  • TMATH 300's proof compilation: Identify the assignment from TMATH 300 where you chose one or more proofs to rewrite. The assignment then required minimally: 1) Rewritten Proof(s): typed, presented and solved completely & correctly. 2) A brief reflection describing why you chose the proof(s) that you did. 3) Your name and expected graduation date.
  • TMATH 350's Capstone Proposal.
  • TMATH 402's proof compilation: Identify the assignment from TMATH 402 where you chose one or more proofs to rewrite. The assignment then required minimally: a) Rewritten Proofs(s): typed, presented and solved completely & correctly. b) A brief reflection describing why you chose the proof(s) that you did.
  • TMATH 424's proof compilation: Identify the assignment from TMATH 424 where you chose one or more proofs to rewrite. The assignment then required minimally: a) Rewritten Proof(s): typed, presented and solved completely & correctly. b) A brief reflection describing why you chose the proof(s) that you did.
  • TMATH 450's essay & supporting work.
  • TMATH 450's Capstone paper, presentation & marked rubric.

 

 Additional courses may be approved and added to courses lists to provide students more flexibility and options. Please refer to this page often for the most up-to-date information.

 

To request changes to this page, please contact Michelle Miller at mmiller9@uw.edu.