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Pacific Northwest College of Art

Study Mathematics

Discover patterns and universal truths. Apply logic and problem-solving to real-world problems with a mathematics degree.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Program Type

Major

Credit Hours

124

Time to complete

4 Years

Campus

Salem Campus

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MyWillamette
Students sitting in a classroom, engaged and smiling, with laptops and notebooks. Colorful sticky notes are on the walls in t

Our Mathematics Major & Minor

Study mathematical concepts and gain problem-solving skills in an engaging and inclusive environment. Discuss differential equations, statistics, algebra, and even number theory. As a math major, you will build vital knowledge that can be applied to a variety of roles and industries.

Why choose Math at Willamette?

  • Undergraduate research opportunities. Work alongside faculty mentors to pursue research in areas such as applied mathematics, statistics, or mathematical modeling. 
  • Engaging department events. Join weekly gatherings for root beer floats, participate in the Jim Albaugh Colloquium lecture series, and celebrate Pi Day. We also offer student groups like Math Club.
  • Connections with experts. Through our mathematics colloquium series, we invite speakers to talk with our students about new mathematical ideas and applications. Students can also learn about career paths and opportunities and prepare for them through our Math Tutor Lab.

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Alumni Stories

From a Nobel Prize winner to a former CEO of Boeing, our alumni are making an impact. They have pursued careers as teachers, financial analysts, project managers, scholars, entrepreneurs, and engineers. Learn more about how our alumni are solving real world problems in leadership roles.

  • Matt Eblen ’00

    Forecasting changes to the workforce through data science
    Matt Eblen ’00, a senior mathematical statistician at the CDC, developed a predictive model using survival analysis to estimate employee tenure, aiding in workforce planning, leveraging skills honed at Willamette where he appreciated the collaborative environment and diverse educational experience.

    A photo of Matt Elben standing outside.
  • Tommy Kawamura's headshot on a dark blue background.

    Tommy Kawamura ’14

    Tommy Kawamura’s Journey from Willamette to the Astros
    Tommy Kawamura ’14 merges his love for baseball with his knack for statistical analysis, going from a math and economics major at Willamette to baseball analytics with the Houston Astros. Kawamura leverages his unique expertise to excel in the world of Major League Baseball.

Mathematics Faculty

Professors in the math department have experience in a variety of fields, from computer programming to business and engineering. Their expertise will help you level up your math skills and their industry connections will help you on your job search after graduation. Learn from award-winning faculty and small class sizes.

  • Meet Professor Nyman

    Dr. Kathryn Nyman has been recognized for her scholarly contributions and has participated in prestigious research programs. She teaches courses in combinatorics, abstract algebra, linear algebra, and accelerated calculus at Willamette University.

    Headshot of Dr. Kathryn Nyman

  • Meet Professor Johnson

    Dr. Inga Johnson specializes in knot theory, algebraic topology, and topological data analysis. She prepares students for success in mathematics through a diverse variety of courses.

    Headshot of Dr. Inga Johnson

  • Meet Professor Laison

    Dr. Josh Laison specializes in graph theory and discrete geometry, with a focus on geometric representations of graphs. Having mentored over 50 student research projects, he fosters a professional and dynamic learning environment.

    Headshot of Dr. Josh Laison

Curriculum

While math students learn fundamental concepts, they also learn how to apply those concepts to real-world problems. Math courses build critical thinking skills and cover different branches of math from statistics to calculus. Become fluent in the language of numbers and prepare for a range of careers.

  • MATH 456 Abstract Algebra I

    Immerse yourself in the foundational concepts of number systems, elementary number theory, groups, rings, fields, and polynomials. Explore advanced topics such as linear algebra, Sylow theory, and Galois theory to expand your math knowledge.

  • MATH 462 Number Theory

    Cover fascinating topics like divisibility, congruence, and the mystery of diophantine equations. Dive into the world of prime numbers, quadratic reciprocity, and analytic number theory, uncovering mathematical secrets that have captivated scholars for centuries.

Program Requirements

Our Mathematics Major requires 40 semester hours. This is comprised of 20 semester hours in core mathematics courses, followed by an additional 20 semester hours in mathematics.

Students pursuing a Mathematics minor will need to complete 24 semester hours. 20 of these semester hours are Mathematics courses where 16 semester hours are numbered at the 200-level or above. The final four semester hours must come from a Computer Science course numbered CS 125, CS 141, CS 151, CS 154, or anything at the 200-level or higher.

Five students sitting in a classroom who are listening and taking notes
Admissions Information

Our Mathematics program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

Classroom with students seated at desks, one student in the foreground thinking with a pen near his chin
Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University offers generous merit scholarships and financial aid to Mathematics majors, with no separate application required. All admitted undergraduates are automatically considered for scholarships starting at $26,000 per year. For students with financial need and a passion for STEM, our STEM Fellows Program provides up to $10,000 annually for first-year students. This program includes mentorship, field trips, tutoring, and more, helping students succeed in their STEM careers.

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FAQs

Willamette University

Mathematics