Graduating with Academic Excellence
The Mathematics Department offers three means of recognition for outstanding students.
Students interested in these programs should also inquire into the possibility of earning both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in mathematics within five years of study.
Graduation with Distinction in Mathematics
A program which rewards exceptional achievements in mathematics.
To graduate with distinction in mathematics, a student must meet all the requirements for graduation with merit in mathematics. Furthermore, the student must successfully complete:
- A comprehensive examination covering Math 124, 125, 224, 225, 226, 204 and
- An approved senior project.
We encourage students to take the Comprehensive Examination no later than the junior year. The Comprehensive Examination can be retaken if necessary, but must be passed no later than the quarter of graduation of the student.
The senior project is subject to approval of the Undergraduate Committee and is undertaken under the direction of a faculty member. It includes some independent work, the preparation of a report and a colloquium presentation. The senior project constitutes a course at the 400 level and is letter graded with 4 credits applicable towards the major.
Students interested in graduating with distinction in mathematics should declare their interest to the chair of the Department of Mathematics at an earlier point in their career at Western in order to receive appropriate advice and guidance.
Graduation with Merit in Mathematics
An award which recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in courses required for the major.
To graduate with merit in mathematics, a student must complete one of the majors offered by mathematics alone or combined majors offered by mathematics in cooperation with another department.
The student must complete at least 32 credit hours of mathematics or math/cs courses taken at Western, and at least 23 approved credits at 400 level or above. The cumulative GPA for mathematics and math/cs classes taken at Western must be at least 3.6.
Graduation with University Honors
Students seeking to graduate with university honors should visit the WWU Honors College website https://honors.wwu.edu/
Some math majors who graduate with University Honors also complete requirements for Graduation with Distinction in Mathematics. The required senior project for Graduation with Distinction may be accepted by the Honors College for the senior capstone project. For more details about the Honors senior capstone, see https://honors.wwu.edu/senior-capstone-project.