This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AAS/DTA degree and prepares you for a university major in mathematics. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for more information about transferring to Western Washington University.
This is the pathway to follow if your math placement is MATH& 141 Precalculus I.
Quarter 1 (12-17 credits)
MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
Communication (5 credits): a CMST course with "OC" at the end of the course description
Optional. Take this with either two or three of the other courses:
EDPL 100 College Success (2 credits)
This course is really helpful if you don't have much college experience.
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (13-15 credits)
MATH& 142 Precalculus II (5 credits)
ENGL 201 Advanced composition (5 credits)
or ENGL 202 Writing about literature (5 credits)
or ENGL& 230 Technical writing (3 credits)
or ENGL& 235 Technical writing (5 credits)
Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description
See the information below if you plan to transfer to WWU.
Career exploration:
- Compare the different math majors at universities you're interested in.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15 credits)
MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Math-minded people may like MUSC& 141 Music theory, ART 115 2-D design, or PHIL& 115 Critical thinking.
Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description
Career exploration:
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action items:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Summer
If you chose 12 credits in Quarter 1, this might be a good time to catch up.
Quarter 4 (15 credits)
MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Lab science (5 credits): a physical or biological science course with "MS l" at the end of the course description
See the information below if you plan to transfer to WWU.
Career exploration:
- Listen to podcasts about math or the kind of math career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15-16 credits)
MATH& 163 Calculus III (5 credits)
Optional:
MATH 207 Taylor series (1 credit)
Be sure to take this 1-credit supplement to MATH& 163 if you plan to transfer to the University of Washington.
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of its course description
Science (5 credits): a physical or biological science course with "MS" or "MS l" at the end of the course description
Action items:
Quarter 6 (15-20 credits)
MATH& 264 Calculus IV (5 credits)
Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description
Electives
Check your total credits. Take one of these electives if you need it to reach 90 credits. Taking another is optional.
MATH 204 Linear algebra (5 credits)
and/or MATH 238 Differential equations (5 credits)
and/or CS& 141 Computer science I - Java (5 credits)
All of these are recommended major preparation, but you can take one or more after transferring.
Action items:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Transferring to Western Washington University
The mathematics major at WWU requires a year-long sequence from one of the following disciplines:
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Economics
- Physics
Whatcom offers courses in all these areas, but you may not be able to fit the full year-long sequence into the Associate in Arts & Sciences degree. Talk with your advisor about which option you'll select and how its courses fit into this pathway.
