Core Math Sequences and Advising
Students can use a variety of test scores or courses for placement into math and other courses at WWU. Common placement criteria include the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA), completed courses at WWU, college level transferable courses, Advanced Placement (AP) scores, and more. Advisors can assist with understanding the appropriate course to take based on placement and student’s academic goals.
The mathematics department has online resources for math placement advice
- Mathematics Department Placement Advice for Courses Below Calculus at Western
- Mathematics Department Placement Advice for Calculus at Western
A printable PDF resource showing the math sequences in a flowchart is available by email request from the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center at aasac@wwu.edu
Core Math Sequences for Intended Academic Interest Area
- All students should seek advising related to their appropriate math placement based on major of interest and General University Requirements (GURs).
- Students are recommended to register for the highest level of math they qualify for based on ALEKS Math Placement Assessment scores, or other transfer credit/placement information, or previous math coursework at Western.
- Select an academic interest area below to see a possible sequence for math coursework based on a students’ academic interest area.
Students pursuing a major in math or science are recommended to take math their first quarter at WWU. Students are recommended to register for the highest level math they qualify for based on ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA) Scores; transfer credit and placement information; or previous math coursework at Western. The Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) sequence is listed from lower to higher level classes.
Math 099
Introductory Algebra (5 credits)
No degree credit
Math 099 prepares you for Math 112
Math 112
Functions and Algebraic Methods (5 credits)
Math 112 prepares you for Math 114
Math 114
Precalculus 1 (5 credits)
Math 114 prepares you for Math 115
Math 115 or Math 118
Math 115 is Precalculus 2 (5 credits); and Math 118 is Accelerated Precalculus (5 credits)
Math 118, Accelerated Precalculus, will substitute for Math 114 and Math 115 and will serve as placement into Math 124.
Math 115 or Math 118 prepares you for Math 124
Math 124
Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 (5 credits)
Math 124 prepares you for Math 125
Math 125 or Math 138
Math 125 is Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 (5 credits); Math 138 is Accelerated Calculus (5 credits)
Math 138, Accelerated Calculus, is an option for students with a suitable Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus Exam score and is an acceptable prerequisite for Math 224
Math 125 or Math 138 prepare you for Math 224
Math 224
Multivariable Calculus (5 credits)
Students pursuing a major in the College of Business and Economics should start math early. Students are recommended to register for the highest level of math they qualify for based on ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA) scores; transfer credits and placement information; or previous math coursework at Western. The College of Business and Economics sequence of math classes is listed from lower to higher level classes.
Math 099
Introductory Algebra (5 credits)
No degree credit
Math 099 prepares you for Math 112
Math 112
Functions and Algebraic Methods (5 credits)
Math 112 prepares you for Math 156 or Math 114
Math 156 or Math 114
Math 156 is Algebra with Applications to Business and Economics (4 credits); Math 114 is Precalculus 1 (5 credits)
Math 156 or Math 114 prepares you for Math 157
Math 157
Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (4 credits)
Math 124, Math 134, or an Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus score of 3, 4, or 5 will substitute for Math 157
Students are recommended to register for the highest level of math they qualify for based on ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA) scores; transfer credit and placement information; or previous math coursework at Western. The Honors Calculus sequence of math classes is listed from lower to higher level classes.
Math 134
Calculus 1 Honors (5 credits)
Math Placement Assessment score and instructor permission required.
Math 134 prepares you for Math 135
Math 135
Calculus 2 Honors (5 credits)
Math 135 prepares you for Math 224
Math 224
Multivariable Calculus and Geometry 1 (5 credits)
Students pursuing a major that does not include math or other coursework that requires math prerequisite courses, or suitable ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA) score will complete math for Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR) General University Requirements (GUR) purposes. Students are recommended to enroll in the highest level of math they are eligible for based on MPA score or transfer credit. Students are strongly advised to meet with an advisor to determine their best course of action for fulfilling their QSR credits. The QSR GUR sequence is listed from lower to higher level classes.
Math 099
Introductory Algebra (5 credits)
No degree credit
Math 099 prepares you for Math 107, Math 108, or Math 112
Math 107, Math 108, or Math 112
Math 107 is Math Reasoning and its Applications (4 credits); Math 108 is Math Applications & Reasoning (4 credits); Math 112 is Functions and Algebraic Methods (5 credits)
Math 107, Math 108, or Math 112 prepare you for future quarter math classes
Next or future quarter math
One additional class from:
- Anthropology: ANTH 335
- Computer Science: CSCI 103 or CSCI 172
- Decision Sciences: DSCI 207
- Environmental Studies: ENVS 201
- Finance: FIN 216
- Linguistics: LING 332
- Management: MGMT 201
- Math: MATH 107, MATH 108, MATH 112, MATH 160, or MATH 240
- Philosophy: PHIL 201
- Political Science: PLSC 366
- Sociology: SOC 304
Elementary Education students need to meet the prerequisite for an Elementary Education math sequence. Students may meet the prerequisite with Math 111 or Math 112; an ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA) score; or transfer credit. Students are recommended to register for the highest level of math they qualify for based on ALEKS MPA scores; transfer credit and placement information; or previous math coursework at Western. the Elementary Education sequence is listed from lower to higher level classes.
Math 099
Introductory algebra (5 credits)
No degree credit
Math 099 prepares you for Math 111 or Math 112
Math 111 or Math 112
Math 111 is Algebra for Elementary Teachers (5 credits); and Math 112 is Functions and Algebraic Methods (5 credits)
Math 111 or Math 112 prepares you for Math 371 or Math 381 sequences
Math 371 sequence or Math 381 sequence
Students only need to take one of the following math sequences and must complete all classes. Each class in the sequence is the prerequisite to be able to take the following class.
Courses for the Math 371 sequence
- Math 371: Teaching P-3 Mathematics 1 (4 credits)
- Math 372: Teaching P-3 Mathematics 2 (4 credits)
- Math 373: Teaching P-3 Mathematics 3 (4 credits)
Courses for the Math 381 sequence
- Math 381: Teaching K-8 Mathematics 1 (4 credits)
- Math 382: Teaching K-8 Mathematics 2 (4 credits)
- Math 383: Teaching K-8 Mathematics 3 (4 credits)