What Are the UW Math Major Requirements?

Learn more about the UW math major requirements. The University of Washington's math program is a great degree that will prepare students for career success.

Students interested in attending the University of Washington's (UW) math major might find themselves wondering about the UW math major requirements.

The specific math requirements vary depending on the degree you choose, though there are some core classes that all math majors must complete.

Earning a degree in math can be a great foundation for careers in:

data science
technology
computer science
science
research

Math graduates will gain strong reasoning skills that allow them to solve complex problems in many different contexts.

University of Washington Math Programs

The University of Washington offers four mathematics degree programs:

Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (51 math credits)
Bachelor of Arts in mathematics: philosophy (45 math credits)
Bachelor of Arts in mathematics: teacher preparation (49-50 math credits)
Bachelor of Science in mathematics (69 math credits)

Regardless of what degree you choose, you will graduate with confidence in mathematical areas such as analysis, abstract thinking, critical writing, logical rigor, and expository clarity.

The Bachelor of Science is much more customizable than the Bachelor of Arts, as it allows students to choose from a variety of upper-level math courses depending on their individual interests.

Entry Requirements

Admission into the mathematics major is constrained by the capacity they have for accepting students into the course. There are two admissions groups, one made up of students already enrolled at UW and one of the students who are transferring into the program.

Applicants must pass a number of prerequisite math courses with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher in all math courses.

Other admissions factors include difficulty of math courses, overall GPA, relevant work experience, and any honors records.

The mathematics department at UW has an acceptance rate of 75%.

Core Classes

Math majors at UW will take core classes in areas of math such as:

mathematical reasoning
calculus
matrix algebra
advanced multivariable
real analysis
differential equations

The core classes in the math major are designed to cover many areas of math and give students a foundation that enables them to study more advanced topics.

General Education Credits

Although a math degree has a heavy emphasis on mathematics, students will also study other topics to round out their education.

Students will typically take courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Common classes include English composition, writing, sociology, diversity, and foreign language.

Electives

Students looking for math-related electives will have a range of enticing options such as complex analysis, topology, combinatorics, optimization, and probability.

Selecting electives in an area of interest is a great way to deepen your knowledge and build expertise in a specific topic. Electives allow students to explore new topics and find potential career paths.

Concentrations

UW offers two concentration options for their mathematics major. Students can specialize in teacher preparation or philosophy.

The teacher preparation concentration prepares graduates to work in secondary and middle school settings. This program specifically helps students learn how to teach and communicate mathematical concepts.

A concentration in teacher preparation can give students in-demand job skills. Math teachers are highly sought-after in many parts of the country.

The philosophy concentration combines courses in philosophy and mathematics to give students a unique perspective. Students will learn about the history of mathematical reasoning and its implications on historic and modern philosophy.

Studying the philosophy of mathematics can be a very rewarding option for students who enjoy diving into deep questions about the nature of the universe.

Is UW's Math Major Hard?

Difficulty is a subjective evaluation that will vary from student to student. Some students who dislike math may find a math major difficult.

Students who are considering studying math often enjoy the subject and do not find math classes difficult.

The UW math major requirements are reasonable for an undergraduate math degree and will be attainable for most students.

Career Options for UW Math Major Graduates

The strong quantitative skills students will gain from the UW math major requirements can be applied in a wide range of career settings. Here are some common job roles for math graduates:

One of the great benefits of a math degree is that it prepares students to work in nearly any role involving data and technology. Students will also be well prepared for advanced degrees.

Find a Math Degree Today

The UW math major requirements are an important factor to consider when choosing a degree that will suit your learning needs. Contact Learn.org and find a perfect degree program today.