Mathematics
Chaired by Patrick Sime
A bachelor’s degree in mathematics will allow you to learn both applied and core mathematics. The program is designed to provide you with a solid mathematical background while allowing you to tailor the program specifically to your interests and career goals.
The department offers a B.A. in Mathematics and a Minor in Mathematics.
Students are required to successfully complete the course MA 450 Coordinating Seminar. This course reviews the mathematics concepts that students learned in their major required courses and introduces new topics that are not covered in the major courses. In addition, this course is designed to assess the students’ understanding of important concepts and mathematical techniques in these courses, their ability to see the connectivity among the different areas of mathematics, and their ability to communicate mathematics in a clear and coherent manner. Students are given a set of essay questions to be researched in this course. These questions are broad in nature and deal with the underlying concepts that tie together the different areas in the major. An oral presentation of one of the questions is required. Results of the outcomes assessment are used by faculty to determine if content of the courses or the curriculum needs to be revised.
Students who major in mathematics must complete:
Course Code : MA 207
Course Description :
Introduces the fundamentals of statistics as employed in a variety of disciplines. Includes sampling, descriptive statistics, probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA120, MA131, MA130, MA112, MA222, MA140, MA220, MA116, MA106, Core requirement in mathematics.
OR
Course Code : MA 311
Course Description :
An introduction to the theory of probability and statistics utilizing methods from calculus. Topics include the axioms and rules of probability, Bayes Theorem, discrete and continuous random variables, univariate probability distributions, expectation, variance, and generating functions.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA 220 or MA 140
Course Code : MA 214
Course Description :
Studies the properties and techniques of matrices, determinants, vector spaces, bases, linear dependence, linear transformation and orthogonality.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA131
Course Code : MA 220
Course Description :
Develops the basic theorems of calculus; develops the concepts of limit and continuity; studies techniques for finding the limit and the derivative of algebraic and trigonometric functions; applies the techniques of calculus to curve sketching, the study of motion and other fields of application; introduction to integral calculus.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA131 or placement test
Course Code : MA 221
Course Description :
Continues the development of the basic theorems of calculus; applications of the integral; differentiation and integration of exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; and some techniques of integration.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA220 or placement test
Course Code : MA 307
Course Description :
Considers the axiomatic approach to geometry; compares the various analyses of Euclid's Fifth Postulate and resulting non-Euclidean geometries; studies several finite geometries.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA309 or Departmental approval.
Course Code : MA 309
Course Description :
Introduction to concepts and tools used in abstract mathematics. Emphasis on writing of proofs. Elementary logic and set theory, formal axiom systems, transfinite numbers, the real number system, and the foundations of mathematics.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA221, MA220
Course Code : MA 324
Course Description :
Extends the study of the techniques of integration; studies series, parametric equations, conic sections and vectors in a plane; includes applications.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA221
Course Code : MA 325
Course Description :
Completes the study of series and vectors and extends the concepts and techniques of the calculus of one variable to several variables.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA214, MA324
Course Code : MA 420
Course Description :
Explores algebraic structures groups, rings, fields and integral domains; also, Peanos postulates and elementary number theory.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA309
Course Code : MA 450
Course Description :
This course will review the mathematics concepts that students learned in their major required courses, show the interconnectivity between the various mathematics disciplines, and introduce new topics that are not covered in the major courses. Also, students will be guided in their research questions for their outcomes assessment. Limited to second semester juniors and seniors. Pass/Fail.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MA 413
Course Description :
This course provides a comprehensive hands-on introduction to the fundamental concepts of multimedia development. Topics include hypermedia development, development of an interactive learning tools, exploration of research issues related to hypermedia technology on the learning process, integration and synchronization of multimedia, including text, graphics, animation, digital video, and sound.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA221
OR
Course Code : CS 195
Course Description :
Course Description: Introduction to computer science and computer programming, problem-solving decomposition, algorithm development. Focuses on writing, debugging, and analyzing computer programs using a high-level programming language, and on learning to write clean, readable, and efficient code. Topics include variables, types, lists, functions, conditional branching, loops, and imports.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS115, CS115X, MA130, MA117, MA112
Take three additional math courses (9 cr) at the 200 level or higher.
Take three additional math courses (9 cr) at the 200 level or higher.
Actuarial Science Concentration (35 Credits)
Background and Rationale:
Actuarial Science is an area of study that analyzes and assesses the financial impact of risk. There exists a need to forecast financial risk to improve decision-making in many businesses and government agencies. To successfully address this growing field, the Mathematics Department and the School of Business have designed an in
Mathematics (17 Credits)
Course Code : MA 220
Course Description :
Develops the basic theorems of calculus; develops the concepts of limit and continuity; studies techniques for finding the limit and the derivative of algebraic and trigonometric functions; applies the techniques of calculus to curve sketching, the study of motion and other fields of application; introduction to integral calculus.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA131 or placement test
Course Code : MA 221
Course Description :
Continues the development of the basic theorems of calculus; applications of the integral; differentiation and integration of exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; and some techniques of integration.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA220 or placement test
Course Code : MA 214
Course Description :
Studies the properties and techniques of matrices, determinants, vector spaces, bases, linear dependence, linear transformation and orthogonality.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA131
Course Code : MA 312
Course Description :
Extends the study of the theory of probability and statistics. Topics include multivariate probability distributions, Central Limit Theorem, covariance, correlation, point estimation, and hypothesis testing.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA311
BUSINESS (18 CREDITS)
Business (18 Credits)
Course Code : BU 211
Course Description :
This course introduces fundamental principles in financial accounting. It provides a basic understanding of accounting theory, practices, and procedures through the accounting cycle as well as recording transactions in journals and ledgers. The course introduces the basic financial statements of balance sheet, income statement, and statement of owner's equity, explaining their purpose and composition.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA131, MA140, MA220, MA106, MA130, MA221, MA112 or other equivalent math core with grade of B- or higher.
Course Code : BU 212
Course Description :
This course covers the measurement and reporting of claims by creditors and equity investors; explains business structures of partnerships and corporations; and covers topics such as income taxes and financial analysis. The course introduces the statement of cash flows, its purpose and composition.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU211
Course Code : BU 205
Active Term : Fall
Course Description :
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of microeconomic theory. It deals with the behavior of individual economic units that are small relative to the national economy. The course explains how consumers, workers, investors, owners of land, and business firms make their decisions, and how they interact to form larger units of markets and industries. A thorough survey of market failure and government failure also will be covered.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA 112 or other equivalent math core with grade of B- or higher
Course Code : BU 210
Course Description :
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of macroeconomic theory. It deals with aggregate economic quantities, such as the level and growth rate of national output, interest rates, unemployment, and inflation. The course explains how the aggregate markets for goods and services, for labor, and for corporate stocks and bonds are formed, what the trade-off is between inflation and unemployment, and how the government develops and implements its monetary and fiscal policies.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU205
Course Code : BU 337
Course Description :
Introduces the techniques employed by firms in raising and allocating funds. Describes analytical tools used by financial managers.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU305, BU210, BU212, MA311, MA207
Course Code : CS 219
Course Description :
This course emphasizes analysis and solutions to contemporary business problems through the use of the current version of Microsoft Excel. Students are introduced to business decision modeling processes to strengthen logical reasoning and analytical skills. Microsoft Excel is used as the basis for managerial decision support through analysis of contemporary business case problems. Students apply the appropriate functions and features of Microsoft Excel to solve business cases. The course also emphasizes oral presentation and written reports on business processes used in case solutions to further strengthen students’ communication skills.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS115, CS115X, MA207, MA112
Your degree includes credits from Liberal Arts and Sciences Core, Major, and Electives.
All students are eligible to apply for the S-STEM Pillar Program scholarship.
Core Requirement
The choice of course to meet the core requirement in mathematics depends on: a) results of a college-administered mathematics placement test; b) secondary school preparation; and c) potential major. Students are assigned to a developmental course, a 100-level course or a 200-level course.