Degree Purpose
The William Jessup University Mathematics program prepares students to serve as Christians in a wide range fields including business, education, science, and engineering. In addition to developing strong logical, analytical, and computational skills, the program seeks to model Christian maturity and to guide students as they discover the glory of God in mathematics.
Career Opportunities
“Employment of mathematicians is expected to increase by 22 percent during the 2008–18 decade, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Advancements in technology usually lead to expanding applications of mathematics, and more workers with knowledge of mathematics will be required in the future. However, jobs in industry and government often require advanced knowledge of related scientific disciplines in addition to mathematics. The most common fields in which mathematicians study and find work are computer science and software development, physics, engineering, and operations research. Many mathematicians also are involved in financial analysis and in life sciences research.”
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Teaching at the secondary school level is also a typical career for mathematicians; school districts highly value educators with a single subject teaching credential in mathematics.
Internships
Internships and summer employment opportunities span a broad range of industries. One particular listing of possible positions and programs is maintained by the American Mathematical Society at http://www.ams.org/programs/students/undergrad/undergrad#careers. It may also be possible to develop internship relationships with local businesses (e.g., Cisco, Pasco). As a service project, mathematics majors may serve as tutors for the WJU student population through the Success Center or as teaching assistants for the lower division math classes. Technologically inclined students may have opportunity to serve with the Helpdesk on campus. Students interested in teaching careers may have opportunities to intern in local elementary, middle and high schools.
Program Expansion
Future expansion of the mathematics program shall include electives and alternative tracks of study (e.g. concentration in computer science). Departmental expansion may also include additional support for teacher education (e.g., classes necessary for a single subject teaching credential) and additional options for general education (e.g., calculus for non-majors). Expansion of the program will be dictated by student interest and faculty availability.
Degree Curriculum
| Lower Division Required Classes | 18 units |
| Calculus I *Units apply to GE Math requirement, not Math Major | 4 units* |
| Computer Programming | 4 units |
| Calculus II | 4 units |
| Differential Equations | 3 units |
| Physics for Science and Engineering I * Units apply to GE Science | 4 units* |
| Linear Algebra | 3 units |
| Physics for Science and Engineering II | 4 units |
| Upper Division Required Classes | 22 units |
| Real Analysis | 3 units |
| Modern Algebra | 3 units |
| Probability and Statistics | 3 units |
| Discrete Mathematics | 3 units |
| History of Mathematics | 3 units |
| Vector Calculus | 4 units |
| Senior Seminar | 3 units |
| Upper Division Electives – choose 2 | 6 units |
| Geometry | 3 units |
| Independent Study in Mathematics | 3 units |
| Numerical Methods | 3 units |
| Total for Major in Math: | 46 units |
Transfer
Students may transfer into the program at any point. A major-specific articulation agreement will be created for local community colleges. Upper division classes may only be transferred into the major if they were upper division work at a four-year college and fall within WJU transfer policy limits.
General Education
Besides the required Common Core classes, eight classes must be taken as General Education during a student’s program: Communication (one course), Math (satisfied by Calculus I), Behavioral Science (one class), Social Science (one course), Science (two courses, one with lab; one of the science courses is satisfied by Physics for Science and Engineering I), Humanities (one course), and Arts (one course). One upper-division depth elective and one Bible elective are also included in the Core and Biblical Studies requirements.