Math Department
The primary objective of the mathematics department is to have all students increase their problem solving skills and abstract reasoning ability in order to prepare them for a rapidly changing society.
A major in mathematics consists of a minimum of 35 hours of mathematics courses above the basic studies requirement. The core for all majors must include 112, 211, 212, 271, 321, and 401. There are two tracks: the pure mathematics must include 322, 324 and 411 and three electives above the 200 level; the computer emphasis track must include 272, 305, 361 and 362 and two electives above 200. In addition, a physics course above Physics 120 must be taken.
A minor in mathematics consists of 12 hours above the basic requirement to include 211, 212, 321, and one elective above the 200 level
A minor in computer science consists of 15 hours above the basic requirement to include 112, 271, 272, either 361 or 362, and one elective.
Students pursuing teacher education in secondary mathematics should include Mathematics 305 and 307. Other requirements for Teacher Education are found in the catalog under the Education Department.
The Department of Mathematics will grant the designation of "Honors in Mathematics" to those students meeting the following requirements. A project will be presented to the department as part of the seminar required of all majors. (The requirement for all majors is an oral presentation, one-half hour in length, of some topic of senior level mathematics together with a well-written paper.) For honors in mathematics, the department will require a more complete (one hour in length) development of a topic with quality sufficient for a possible presentation at a professional meeting such as the MAA regional meeting. The presentation, oral and written, will be given to the entire department and other invited guests. One independent study topic in the field of algebra, number theory, or geometry, to be done beginning the spring term of the junior year or fall term of the senior year and terminating with development of the honors project will be required. Students must declare an intent to participate in the honors program by the end of their junior year, maintain a 3.6 GPR within the major and a 3.3 cumulative GPR, have approval of all members of the department and show a real desire and enthusiasm to do mathematics.
106. Earth Algebra
(3 s.h.)
A study of the mathematics associated with environmental issues. The various models for studying the issues will include: linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, and logistic. Data sets will explore such real-world problems as the greenhouse effect, global warming, carbon dioxide emission, spread of epidemics, and banking applications. A graphing calculator will be required. May not be used for major or minor credit in the Department of Mathematics.
107. College Mathematics
(3 s.h.)
A course designed to study basic set theory, counting problems, probability, and statistics. The emphasis will be on the understanding of basic concepts. May not be used for major or minor credit in the Department of Mathematics.
108. Calculus for Managerial and Life
Sciences (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 107. A course designed to study elementary differential calculus. The emphasis will be on applications to business and biology. May not be used for major or minor credit in the Department of Mathematics.
110. Precalculus
(3 s.h.)
Polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions reviewed. Course is primarily designed for the student inadequately prepared for calculus. May not be used for major or minor credit in the Department of Mathematics.
111. Calculus I
(4 s.h.)
A study of elementary functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, application of derivatives. The emphasis is on understanding the derivative in problem-solving situations.
112. Calculus II
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 111. Integration theory, techniques of integration, series, elementary DEs.
205. Elementary Statistics
(4 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 107 or 111. Elementary descriptive statistics, probability, and introductory analytical inferential statistics with applications to business, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. Measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, discrete random variables, binomial and normal distributions, sampling, and the central limit theorem. Hypothesis testing for single variable statistics, mostly large samples, least squared regression, and time series analysis. The four hours per week will include some laboratory work using Excel.
211. Calculus III
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 112. Multivariable calculusóa study of functions of several variables, particial derivatives, and multiple integration. An introduction to vector analysis
212. Differential Equations
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 211. Methods of solving first order differential equations: separable homogeneous, exact, etc. A study of the theory and applications of linear differential equations including power series methods.
271. Programming I
(3 s.h.)
An introduction of Erskine’s computer facilities. Programming and problem solving using C++. Good structured programming practices are stressed.
272. Programming II
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 271. A continuation of the emphasis on good programming practices. Topics include MacIntosh/Windows applications programming: graphics, windows, menus, etc.
276. Pascal Programming
(1 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 272. Emphasis on the language developed for the teaching and the learning of good programming practices. The fundamental learning will be done by examining Pascal in parallel with Language C. Offered on demand.
305. Mathematical Statistics
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 212. Probability and descriptive statistics. The mathematical foundations of statistics. Required for prospective teachers of mathematics.
307. Geometry
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 212. The axiomatic method applied to the foundations of geometry. Euclidean, non-Euclidean, and finite geometries. Required of prospective teachers of mathematics. Alternate years.
321. Linear Algebra
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 212. Systems of linear equations, matrices, and vector spaces.
322. Foundations of Mathematics
(3 s.h.)
Corequisite or prerequisite: Math 321. The axiomatic method, sets and functions, methods of proof, a little history and philosophy of mathematics.
324. Abstract Algebra
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 322. Methods of proof, an introduction to group theory, and a survey of other algebraic structures. Alternate years.
325. Abstract Algebra II
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 324. Rings and fields. A complete study of polynomial rings. Offered on demand.
351. Mathematics for Teachers, K-6, I
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 107. Problem-solving techniques, the foundations of arithmetic (structures and number systems), and number theory will be extensively studied from the point of view of the professional elementary teacher of mathematics. May not be used for major or minor credit in the Department of Mathematics.
355. Geometry for Teachers
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 351. A course designed for elementary teachers of mathematics. The emphasis will be on the foundations of geometry and the understanding of basic geometrical concepts of two and three dimensions. Many concepts are developed with the use of geometric constructions. Measurements using various units will be examined with emphasis on the metric system. May not be used for major or minor credit in the Department of Mathematics.
361. Data Structures
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 272. Emphasis on the structures used for software development; arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, files, searching and sorting. Alternate years.
362. Computer Architecture
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 272. A study of the structural organization and hardware design of computer systems. Boolean algebra, logic circuits, machine language, and assembly language. Alternate years.
390. History and Philosophy of
Mathematics (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 211. A look at mathematics from early Babylonian to modern times. Consideration will be given to the cultural context in which certain mathematical ideas developed. Offered on demand.
401. Senior Seminar
(2 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Senior standing. A study of topics designed to review the mathematics program and gain a deeper appreciation of mathematics.
410. Independent Study
(Credit to be determined)
Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Material will be chosen to suit the needs of the individual student and will be of a more advanced nature than that ordinarily covered. Topics can be chosen in an area of particular interest to the student.
411. Real Analysis
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 322. The theory and foundations of limits, derivatives, and integrals. Alternate years.
461. Discrete Mathematics
(3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: Math 321, 361. Finite sets and structures, combinatorics, graph theory, recurrence, and formal languages. Offered on demand.
