Bachelor in Mathematik

Students in the mathematics major will recognize, represent, and use patterns to creatively address problems in a wide variety of settings. At Northwest, students will see and explore the beauty and utility of mathematics from a diverse faculty of highly qualified and nationally recognized mathematicians. Upon graduation, students will be able to compete successfully for jobs in business, industry, and government or continue in graduate studies.

Career Opportunities

100% of mathematics graduates find employment or continue their education within six months of graduation. Below is a list of job titles:

• Convergence editor
• Business consultant
• Customer service information technology manager
• Forecasting analyst
• Math teacher
• Operations research analyst
• Network planner/designer/architect
• Technical marketing engineer
• Underwriter

*Based on self-reported data.

Beyond the Classroom

Northwest Student Chapter of Mathematical Association of American (MAA) promotes the interest and study of mathematics through problem-solving, meetings, lectures and social events.

Pi Mu Epsilon is a national honorary society that promotes mathematics and honors students who have excelled in the major and helps students who need assistance with their studies.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad is an opportunity for students to apply hands-on international experience to their academic development. Faculty members provide short-term study programs that prepare students before, during and after the program. Two types of study abroad programs are available: faculty-led and traditional study abroad.

The traditional program may be a semester, summer or year-long program and is taught by Northwest’s international partner institutions.

Degree Programs

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs leading to both comprehensive and non-comprehensive Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics and the Bachelor of Science degrees in the areas of mathematics, including the options for an emphasis in Data Science. For students interested in teaching mathematics in grades 9-12, the department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in mathematics education. In addition, there are minors in mathematics education (grades 9-12), mathematics education (middle school), mathematics (calculus-based), mathematics (non-calculus based), and statistics.

Students in the mathematics major develop their abilities to interpret, solve, and explain problems. Through a balanced selection of coursework from both pure and applied mathematics, students expand their understanding of how data analysis and mathematical modeling impact aspects of contemporary society. Education majors also learn how to help students understand these aspects of mathematics. Students who incorporate preparatory work in actuarial science into a mathematics major (with a possible economics minor) can choose courses leading to VEE credit from the Society of Actuaries in Economics, Corporate Finance, and Applied Statistical Methods, as well as courses preparing them for three actuarial exams (administered by the Society of Actuaries).

In all of these programs, students learn fundamental concepts while engaging in activities similar to those encountered in the workplace. Small classes taught by full-time faculty using active learning instructional paradigms focus on the student’s learning process, with the teacher’s role that of a guide, facilitator, and mentor.

All of these programs are supported by a wide variety of computing facilities ranging from local area networks of microcomputers to campus--wide access to an international network of computing services.

Co-requisites Mathematics

A minimum math ACT score of 22 or a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to most Northwest Core Mathematical Reasoning courses. For each Mathematical Reasoning course in The Northwest Core, students who lack the prerequisite requirements must also take concurrently a co-requisite STRATEGIES course designed to help them be successful in the content of the college credit-bearing course. Co-requisite pairings are as follows:

• MATH 17115 Concepts of Mathematics
• MATH 17015 Strategies for Concepts of Mathematics
• MATH 17114 General Statistics
• MATH 17014 Strategies for General Statistics
• MATH 17118 College Algebra
• MATH 17018 Strategies for College Algebra
• MATH 17171 Fundamentals of Mathematics
• MATH 17071 Strategies for Fundamentals of Mathematics

See MATH 17117 Precalculus and MATH 17120 Calculus I course descriptions for prerequisites, which are greater.

Mathematics Major, 36-37 hours: B.A., B.S.—Minor Required

Foundational Requirements To achieve the common objectives, all majors in Mathematics are required to complete a common foundational set of 21 semester hours and participate in senior assessment. The area’s common foundational requirements are:

Required Courses

Approved departmental electives

Established in 1905, Northwest Missouri State University is a state-assisted, comprehensive four-year regional university that also offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location at the Northland Innovation Center and through Northwest Online.

Northwest offers 127 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate programs. Career Services offers an "Exploring Majors" fair where students may learn about different majors and find a major that is the perfect fit for them. Northwest advocates for profession-based experience in every area of study. At Northwest's Horace Mann Laboratory School, students majoring in education begin observing and practicing in the teaching profession immediately. Other profession-based experiences include work at Northwest's R.T. Wright Farm, radio and television stations, and a variety of internships.