Course Descriptions for
Mathematics

Course Descriptions


Total hours required for graduation: 120 cr. to 128 cr. (depending upon the number of elective courses recommended by the faculty advisor.)


MATH 100, INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
4 credits, non-degree only. For students with a 2-year algebra sequence from high school or whose score on the mathematics placement test is not satisfactory for CORE 130 or MATH 101. Review of basic concepts with emphasis on sets and the real numbers, equations and inequalities, polynomials and factoring, and radical and rational expressions. The above topics are introduced in their basic setting.

 

MATH 101, COLLEGE ALGEBRA, 4 credits*
Fundamental concepts of algebra are reviewed, but the emphasis is on an introductory study of exponential and logarithmic functions and an advanced study of algebraic equations and inequalities, algebraic functions and their graphs, systems of equations and inequalities, and series. Additional topics will be covered following the completion of the topics listed above. The course will make use of technology (calculators and computers) and mathematical modeling for solving both hypothetical and real-life problems. The course is recommended for students needing more algebraic experience before taking advanced courses in their discipline (for example, quantitative courses not requiring trigonometry). Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MATH 100 or successful completion of a 2-year sequence in high school algebra and a suitable score on a mathematics placement test.

 

MATH 110, PRECALCULUS, 4 credits*

Emphasizes functions and their graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry, trigonometric functions and applications, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants. The course will make use of technology and mathematical modeling for problem-solving. This is a one-semester preparation for calculus, involving all of the elementary functions. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MATH 101.

 

MATH 120, CALCULUS I, 4 credits*
Topics included are limits, derivatives, and integration of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, with applications. The course will use technology for exploration and problem-solving. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MATH 110.

 

MATH 123, BIOMATHEMATICS I
Biomathematics I serves as an alternative, equivalent option for Calculus I.  Biomathematics I will cover topics from Calculus I with application to modeling, with a focus on the application to biological phenomena, including dynamical systems in biology; limits and infinite sums; differential calculus; optimization; polynomial approximation; computational methods, integration, fundamental theorem of calculus and applications of integration.

 

MATH 125 (formerly MATH 115), DISCRETE MATHEMATICS, 4 credits*
A calculus-based course designed for students interested in computer science. No previous experience is required. The course will provide the mathematical foundations necessary for other computer science courses. Topics covered include an introduction to formal logic, techniques of proofs, recursion and recurrence relations, elementary analysis of algorithms, counting principles, relations and functions, graphs and trees, and graph algorithms. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MATH 110.

 

MATH 130, CALCULUS II, 4 credits*
The second of a three-semester sequence. Topics included are techniques and applications of integrations, improper integrals, conic sections, polar coordinates, parametric equations, and infinite series. Prerequisite:  Grade of C or better in MATH 120.

 

MATH 200, MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS, 4 credits*
The algorithms of arithmetic, number bases, mensuration and convergence factors. Divisibility properties of the integers, primes, and composites, sets and numbers, logic and sets and techniques of proof. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MATH 101 or in CORE 130. Not open to students who have completed MATH 220.

 

MATH 210, CALCULUS III, 4 credits. The third course in a three-semester sequence*
Topics included are vector valued-functions, partial derivatives, double and triple integrals, solid analytic geometry and vectors in space and applications, and topics in vector calculus (line integrals, surface integrals, Green’s Theorem, Divergence Theorem, and Stokes’ Theorem). A computer algebra system will be used for problem-solving and to gain new insight and understanding. Calculus Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MATH 130.

 

MATH 220, INTRODUCTION TO HIGHER ALGEBRA, 4 credits*
An introduction to fundamental mathematical techniques used in upper-level mathematics courses and other disciplines. The course presents the principles of mathematical logic and uses them to examine standard methods of direct and indirect proof, including mathematical induction. Topics include techniques from elementary number theory and the naive set-theoretic approach to functions and relations. An axiomatic development of some structures is introduced, as well as systems of linear equations and matrices. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MATH 120 or permission of the instructor.

 

MATH 230: Biomathematics II, 4 credits
The use of mathematical theory in the context of biologically relevant projects,   developing mathematical models with the goal of building upon intuitive understanding using mathematical approaches. Using technology and software-enabled analysis, students will learn to merge data from their lab bench experiments with mathematical models to determine how various changes impacted an overall organism and its functions.  The students will have hands-on training with a number of computational tools, including deterministic and stochastic modeling, Monte Carlo Simulations, data mining, and data analysis, needed in approaching their projects. This course will serve students with career goals in pursuing a graduate degree in Biology or in Applied Mathematics.

 

MATH 235: BIOINFORMATICS, 4 credits
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary research area in the interface between the biological and computational sciences. The course familiarizes students with data structure and architectural strategies for organizing complex data sets, and with available computational tools for interrogating these data sets. Students will also be introduced to strategies for exploring not only particular content in already established databases but also how algorithms are developed to identify patterns of data distribution and examine possible relationships among data, e.g. networks.

 

MATH 240, LINEAR ALGEBRA, 4 credits*
Systems of linear equations and matrices, abstract vector spaces and linear transformations, orthogonality, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization. Some attention is given to the development of abstract reasoning and a variety of applications of linear algebra in natural and social science. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MATH 130 or concurrent enrollment in MATH 130.

 

MATH 270, ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, 4 credits*
This course introduces first-order differential equations with applications, higher-order differential equations with applications, series solutions of linear equations, Laplace transforms, and systems of linear first-order differential equations. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MATH 130.

 

MATH 320, ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURES, 4 credits*
A systematic study of groups, rings, and fields complete with substructures, homomorphisms, endomorphism, isomorphisms, and automorphism. Prerequisite:  Grade of C or better in MATH 240.

 

MATH 353, INTRODUCTION TO REAL ANALYSIS, 4 credits*
A rigorous treatment of limits and continuity with an introduction to topology for the reals, completeness of the reals, differentiability and integrability and sequences, series and the theory of convergence. Prerequisite:  Grade of C or better in MATH 210 and Grade of C or better in MATH 240.

 

MATH 390, SPECIAL TOPICS IN MATHEMATICS, 4 credits
Topics vary, depending on the interest of students and staff. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

 

MATH 395, SENIOR SEMINAR, 1 credit
Open only to senior mathematics majors. Under the supervision of a full-time member of the mathematics faculty, the student will prepare a seminar to be presented orally and in writing.

 

MATH 398, INDEPENDENT STUDY, 3-4 credits
A student may complete any mathematics requirement by independent study and periodic evaluations by a full-time member of the Mathematics faculty. Prerequisite: Approval of Program Coordinator.

*A grade of C- is not acceptable in the prerequisite course