Introduction
In mathematics we value critical thinking, problem solving, hard work, collaboration, and fun. We vow to support every math student while providing preparation for civic engagement, teaching, technical careers and professions where numeracy, qualitative literacy, and critical thinking are vital.
Math Major
Why Major in Math?
Mathematicians in industry today rely heavily on computational tools, such as the MATLAB programming environment. In our Math and Computer Science program, we encourage interactive learning, which includes a technology and experimentation component, to allow students to more easily grasp concepts while becoming experienced in a wide variety of technology tools.
We study math for a variety of reasons: because we love it, because it is fun, because it will help us be better thinkers, because it pays the bills. Why will you study math?
Mental Calisthenics
Mathematics is a rigorous intellectual pursuit and, for some, that is all the reason needed.
Support Career Goals
BE the Change—Teach: there is a high demand for qualified teachers of mathematics at every level.
The Language of Science: mathematics and science go hand-in-hand; mathematics will illuminate the road to your science career.
Open Doors: math majors score higher compared to non-math majors on standardized tests such as the LSAT (law) and the GMAT (business). This is attributed to the fact that studying math develops analytic thinking and problem solving skills.
Your Daily Bread
Jobs acquired by math majors consistently rank high on job satisfaction surveys. Undergraduate math graduates also report higher starting salaries than most other majors. View the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics outlook for Mathematicians and Statisticians.
Student Resources
The Mathematical Association of America is dedicated to providing information and support to math majors.
Thinking about a career in Math?
Math For All
Whether you are pursuing the major, the minor or taking a math course as a requirement for graduation, the math department at WNMU is here to support you—the math student. We will meet you wherever you are and guide you to wherever you want to be.
Developmental Mathematics (DVSM)
Program highlights:
- Taught at WNMU by WNMU math professors—not TAs; you will not be asked to attend another college to fulfill requirements before entry into our math courses.
- DVSM class sizes are such that DVSM students are guaranteed personalized attention from the professor.
- Unique self-paced face-to-face environment offers flexibility to move through the material as quickly or as slowly as YOU need with your professor always in class to guide you.
- Professors hold regular office hours should you need assistance outside of class.
- We believe in the power of an engaged and educated populace and view qualitative literacy as vital to making informed, thoughtful decisions on a personal, professional, and civic scale.
- View our Outline of Entry-Level Math Courses.
The Mathematics Major at WNMU
Mathematicians in industry today rely heavily on computational tools, such as the MATLAB programming environment. In our Math and Computer Science program we are encouraging an emphasis on interactive learning, which includes a technology and an experimentation component, to allow students to more easily grasp concepts while becoming experienced in a wide variety of technical tools.
Math majors at WNMU choose one of our distinct concentrations to frame their studies.
Computational and Applied Mathematics
“A career in applied mathematics isn’t just about crunching numbers. It’s a career that uses mathematics to solve problems in the environment of your choice” (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics).
WNMU offers a unique pedagogical approach to its program. With courses held in computer classrooms students engage in activities in which computational tasks lead to theoretical insights and to opportunities to exercise a wide variety of problem solving abilities. Further, due to the attention given to students’ ability to express their mathematical work, our students graduate with a proficiency to communicate well to both technical and non-technical audiences. The math program at WNMU prepares students for work in industry and lays the framework for further study in mathematics as well as other integrated STEM fields (e.g. mathematical biology).
For more information on applied mathematics, visit SIAM. Students are eligible for free membership.
Mathematics Education (Secondary)
“Education requires approximately 1.8 million elementary school and 225,000 secondary school math teachers. And as our nation becomes increasingly diverse, there is a need for math teachers who reflect the diversity of the student population” (www.nctm.org).
Students studying at WNMU to become math teachers are in the unique position to earn a double major: in education and in mathematics. Working closely with faculty in the School of Education, students fulfill the requirement for New Mexico state licensure with competency in mathematics and at the same time fulfill the requirements for the math major. Math education majors gain experience with the New Mexico Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and with the NCTM Standards and Benchmarks.
Degree Plans
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 31 | ||
| Service Learning | 3 | ||
| Writing Intensive | 9 | ||
| Upper Division | 42 | ||
| Total Hours minimum required | 120 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPAN 2220 | Spanish for Heritage Learners IV | 3 | |
| SPAN 303 | Introduction to Culture & Advanced Grammar in Spanish | 3 | |
| BLED 431 | Language Arts in Spanish | 3 | |
| OR | CLEP for four years of Spanish |
Complete an additional six credit hours in Math, and/or Computer Science, beyond the General Education requirements. This requirement is fulfilled by the major core requirements.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select eight credit hours from the Science List courses: (may count as General Education) |
|||
| ANTH 1135 & 1135L | Introduction to Biological Anthropology | 4 | |
| BIOL 2210 & 2210L | Human Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab | 4 | |
| BIOL 2225 & 2225L | Human Anatomy & Physiology II & Lab | 4 | |
| BIOL 2642 & 2642L | Plant Form, Function & Diversity & Lab | 4 | |
| BIOL 2644 & 2644L | Animal Form, Function & Diversity & Lab | 4 | |
| CHEM 1215 & 1215L | General Chemistry I | 4 | |
| CHEM 1225 & 1225L | General Chemistry II | 4 | |
| GEOL 1120 & 11120L | Environmental Geology & Lab | 4 | |
| GEOL 301 & GEOL 303 | Rocks and Minerals & Lab | 4 | |
| GEOL 305 & GEOL 307 | Introduction to Weather & Lab | 4 | |
| PHYS 1230/1230L | General Physics I | 4 | |
| PHYS 1240/1240L | General Physics II | 4 | |
| PHYS 1310/1310L | Principles of Physics I | 4 | |
| PHYS 1320/1320L | Principles of Physics II | 4 |
* may be waived for students with the proper background
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMPS 1993 | Problem Solving / Python I | 3 | |
| MATH 1220* | College Algebra | 3 | |
| MATH 1230* | Trigonometry | 3 | |
| MATH 1350 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 5 | |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 | |
| MATH 2431 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 | |
| MATH 2530 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| MATH 308 | Matlab | 3 | |
| MATH 312 | Computational Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| MATH 470 | Topics in Computational Math | 3 | |
| MATH 496 | Senior Project and Seminar | 3 |
Concentrations
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 323 | Differential Equations | 3 | |
| MATH 421 | Advanced Applied Statistics | 3 | |
| CMPS 2993 | Problem Solving with Python II | 3 | |
| CMPS 380 | Contact department | 3 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 304 | Mathematics for the Secondary Teacher | 3 | |
| MATH 327 | Survey of Geometry | 3 | |
| MATH 451 | History of Mathematics | 3 | |
| AND | Select 3 credit hours of upper division mathematics / CMPS courses except MATH 2132 and 2133 |
Math Minor
The Perfect Complement
For students majoring in a discipline requiring the study of calculus, the math minor is just a few courses away. At WNMU we offer the flexibility to build the math minor to do what you need it to do. A minor in mathematics is an excellent support for a degree in natural sciences or business. For those students interested in studying medicine or law, consider the fact that studying upper-level mathematics may help to improve standardized test scores. Minor Degree Courses (18-24 hours outside the Mathematics discipline).
Degree Plan
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 1220* | College Algebra | 4 | Prerequisite: Placement according to COMPASS math score or successful completion of MATH 1215, or permission of the department chair. Essential concepts of algebra and algebraic functions that are needed for further study in mathematics. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator. (NMCCN MATH 1113)(Area II). |
| MATH 1230* | Trigonometry | 3 | Prerequisite: Placement according to COMPASS math score or successful completion of MATH 1220, or permission of the department chair. Essential concepts and skills of trigonometry and other non-algebraic functions are needed for further study of mathematics. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator. (NMCCN MATH 1213). |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 5 | Prerequisite: Placement according to COMPASS math score or successful completion of MATH 1220 and 1230, or permission of the department chair. Review of functions and their multiple representations. Development of the fundamental concepts of calculus using graphical, numerical, and analytic methods for functions of a single variable; covers limit processes, derivatives, definite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and applications. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator and/or computer algebra system. (NMCCN MATH 1615)(Area II). |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 | Prerequisite: MATH 1510. Continuation of MATH 1510; covers more techniques of integration including numerical techniques, applications of the definite integral, improper integrals, an introduction to differential equations, Taylor polynomials and series. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator and/or computer algebra system. (NMCCN MATH 1623)(Area II). |
| AND | Upper-division guided electives except MATH 2132 and MATH 2133 |
9 |
Associate Degree in Pre-Engineering
The AS Degree in Mathematics – Pre-Engineering is designed for students to prepare for the rigorous study of engineering. The degree is intended to be springboard for those whose goal includes transferring to an engineering program. Working with the AS adviser, students will be guided to take math, science and general education courses that can be applied to many engineering programs throughout the Southwest.
The AS in Math-Pre-Engineering can also be a valuable degree for those students who plan further study in mathematics, science, or technology as well as for those students who seek employment in STEM fields.
Degree Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Course pre-requisites may prevent you from enrolling in some classes. To see course pre-requisite details, go to the WNMU catalogs.
A: Follett Access
Textbooks are provided through a student fee for Follett Access through the University bookstore of $25 / credit hour for all enrolled courses at WNMU.
WNMU student tutors are available during scheduled hours that are published on our tutoring site.
Smarthinking is an electronic tutoring service available to all WNMU students. Tutoring is available 24/7.
With Smarthinking you can connect and interact with a live tutor, submit your writing assignments for class to the online Writing Center, or submit a question and receive a reply from a tutor. An interactive white board and verbal connection are also available. You can request a bilingual tutor
How to log in to Smarthinking Electronic Tutoring:
- Log into your Canvas account using your Mustang Express username and password.
- Select a course from your Canvas dashboard.
- Select Smarthinking from the course menu.
Contact
Dr. Nancy Livingston
Department Chair, Professor of Mathematics
Phone: (575) 538 6788
Email: Dr. Nancy Livingston
Office: Global Resource Center Rm. 215