About the Program
The University of Washington Mathematics Department is one of the major research mathematics departments in the United States. It has an excellent research reputation, a strong, demanding program of graduate study in mathematics, and a full range of excellent undergraduate course offerings. The department consists of approximately 60 permanent faculty with research interests in virtually every area of mathematics. Students, faculty, and numerous visitors are encouraged to interact through a variety of courses, seminars, colloquiums, and in other less formal ways. The faculty have been supported in their research by the Sloan Foundation, National Science Foundation, Fulbright Foundation, National Security Agency, and other organizations.
Degree & Major Options
The Department of Mathematics offers two types of degrees: a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts, with a total of 4 math options.
- Bachelor of Arts
- Philosophy Option
- Teacher Prep Option
- Standard Option
- Bachelor of Science
- Math Minor
Refer to the Undergraduate Major Requirements for option descriptions, specific course requirements and restrictions.
Major Option Comparisons
| B.A. Philosophy | B.A. Teacher Prep | B.A. Standard | Bachelor of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 MATH credits | 49-50 MATH credits | 51 MATH credits | 69 MATH credits |
| two 400-level MATH | two 400-level MATH | three 400-level MATH | six 400-level MATH |
| 16-20 credits in PHIL | additional credits in MATH, AMATH or STAT | five additional upper division MATH | six additional upper division MATH |
Why Mathematics?
Mathematics is a foundational tool that's utilized in every discipline of science, engineering, industry, and technology.
If admitted to the Math major, your focus of study will be pure mathematics. You’ll solve problems, find facts, and answer questions that don't necessarily depend on the world around us, but on the rules of mathematics itself. As you continue your studies in math, you’ll transition from computational mathematics (i.e. calculus) to studying theories and proofs. Math 208 - Matrix Algebra (formerly MATH 308) is typically a student's first introduction into theoretical math.
What can you do with a degree in mathematics?
Our majors graduate with proficiency in problem solving and with strong analytical skills. By studying pure mathematics, they will become critical thinkers, which often involves:
- creative problem solving
- collaboration
- inductive & deductive reasoning
- objective observation
Employers value our UW alumni for their ability to argue logically and think abstractly. They are seeking candidates who can gather and analyze data, test conclusions, and present relevant and accurate information used to make data-informed decisions.
| CAREER OPPORTUNITIES | SAMPLE ALUMNI EMPLOYERS |
|---|---|
Actuary Secondary Teacher Data Analyst Finance Cryptography Computer Science/Software Bio technology Operations & Market Research | Amazon Web Services Boeing Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center Microsoft Seattle Public Schools Starbucks |
Other Undergraduate Programs Related to Mathematical Sciences
- Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences (ACMS)
- Applied Mathematics
- Computational Finance and Risk Management
- Statistics