Mathematics

Ellensburg
Bouillon 107F

(509) 963-2103
Fax: (509) 963-3226
http://www.cwu.edu/~cwumath
See Web site for how Mathematics could be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair
Stuart Boersma

Professors
Stuart F. Boersma, differential geometry, general relativity
Alla Ditta Raza Choudary, algebraic topology
Stephen P. Glasby, computational algebra, representation theory
James D. Harper, harmonic analysis
Scott M. Lewis, mathematics education, history of mathematics
Cen Tsong Lin, probability and mathematical statistics, actuarial science

Associate Professors
Tim Englund, group theory, representation theory, statistics
Mark Oursland, mathematics education

Assistant Professors
Yvonne Chueh, actuarial science, statistics
Jonathan Fassett, topology, dynamical systems
Michael Lundin, mathematics education
Aaron Montgomery, topology, algebra
W. Dan Curtis, applied mathematics

Staff
Debbie Thomas, secretary

Department Information

Mathematics is an expanding and evolving body of knowledge as well as a way of perceiving, formulating and solving problems in many disciplines. The subject is a constant interplay between the worlds of thought and application. The student of mathematics will find worthy challenges and the subsequent rewards in meeting them.

The general student will find preparatory courses in precalculus mathematics and traditional mathematics courses such as calculus, linear algebra, geometry, abstract algebra, and analysis. Also, more specialized courses in discrete mathematics, number theory and the history of mathematics are offered. Special needs of computer science majors, elementary education majors and general education requirements are also met by courses in the mathematics department.

For those desiring concentrated work in mathematics, the mathematics department offers four programs leading to bachelor’s degrees. A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in mathematics prepares the student as a mathematician for industry or graduate work. A Bachelor of Arts in secondary teaching prepares the student to teach at the junior, middle or high school levels. A Bachelor of Science in mathematics with an actuarial science specialization prepares the student to work as an actuary or in applied statistics. A mathematics minor and a secondary teaching minor are also available.

One graduate degree is offered: the Master of Arts for Teachers. This is described in the graduate section of the catalog.

All programs (major, minor, including electives) must be on file and approved by the department at least one academic year preceding graduation.

Admission and Placement Notes

Enrollment in MATH 100C, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 130, MATH 164 requires a satisfactory score on one of the following tests: SAT, ACT, COMPASS Test or the Intermediate Assessment Test. The scores on the SAT or ACT tests must have been achieved within the last three years before math placement. The student with insufficient test scores is encouraged to enroll in developmental classes. For more information contact the Math Center in Hertz 101 or 963-1834.
Students who wish to enroll in Precalculus (MATH 153 or MATH 154) or Calculus (MATH 170 or MATH 172) and who have not had the necessary prerequisite course at a college or university must take the mathematics placement test. Student will be placed in accord with their results on this test as determined by the mathematics department. See the mathematics department for more details.
Admission to any mathematics course having prerequisites requires either a suitable math placement test score or a grade of 2.0 or better in each listed prerequisite to that course.
Admission to any major in the mathematics department will be considered after the first two quarters of calculus are taken (MATH 172, MATH 173). Transfer students with the calculus background will generally take and successfully complete (2.0 or better) ten hours of math beyond calculus to be admitted to a major. Application forms are available from the mathematics department office. Students must meet with an advisor in the mathematics department before being considered for major or minor. In addition, students must earn a minimum grade of C in any course which fulfills a major or minor requirement.

Admission Requirements to Mathematics Teaching Secondary Major and Minor

Admission to the mathematics teaching secondary major or minor is selective. A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 is required in the pre-admission courses listed below. Further, students must successfully complete MATH 260, Set and Logic, by spring quarter of the academic year of their acceptance into the program. The mathematics department will process applications once a year and notify students of their status by February 15. The deadline for submission of applications to the department is January 15. A completed application must include the standard major application form and a mathematics advisor approved graduation plan.

Students must be accepted as a mathematics education major or minor prior to enrolling in mathematics classes beyond MATH 265, with the exception of MATH 311. Students applying for admission to the major may register for courses for the following quarter but will be dropped if not admitted. Upon admission to the major, all students will enroll in MATH 299E, Orientation Seminar: Secondary mathe-matics, in the subsequent spring quarter.

Students need to meet with a mathematics education advisor well in advance of requesting admission to the Secondary Mathematics Teaching Program.
Application Deadline: January 15
Notification of Acceptance into the program: February 15

Pre-Admission Requirements: Applicants for admission into the Secondary Mathematics Teaching program

must have a 2.5 or better GPA in the following courses:
ENG 102. English Composition (4 credits)
MATH 130. Finite Mathematics (5 credits)
MATH 172. Calculus I (5 credits)
MATH 173. Calculus II (5 credits)
Pre-Admission Total: 19 credits
and
must have completed MATH 260, Set and Logic, with a grade of C or better, or be enrolled in MATH 260 concurrently with MATH 299E, Orientation Seminar: Secondary Mathematics, in the Spring Quarter of the academic year of his or her acceptance into the program.