2023-2024 Catalogue
Mathematics (MAT) Course Descriptions
MAT 130: College Algebra.
Goal: To study, with emphasis on the function concept, the essentials of algebra.
Content: General properties of graphs and functions; properties, graphs, and applications of polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions.
Prerequisite: Scoring between 46 and 60 on the ALEKS placement exam. Students scoring below 46 are required to enroll in the corequisite course MAT 131 College Algebra Lab.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 131: College Algebra Lab.
Goal: To provide students the support they require to be successful in MAT 130.
Content: A "just in time" review of math topics that are necessary for students to be successful in MAT 130 with a concentration on real number properties, exponents and radicals, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions, and solving equations and inequalities.
Prerequisite: ALEKS math placement score below the score required for placement into MAT 130 and concurrent enrollment in MAT 130.
Credit: 1 hour, CR/NC. Students may repeat this course once for a maximum of 2 semester hours.
MAT 140: Precalculus Mathematics.
Goal: To study, with emphasis on the function concept, the essentials of trigonometry and analytical geometry.
Content: Properties, graphs, and applications of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; trigonometric identities and equations; systems of equations; conic sections; introduction to vectors, matrices, and complex numbers.
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and one year of high school geometry or the equivalent and sufficiently high score on the mathematics placement exam, or permission of the instructor, or MAT 130.
Gen. Ed. Category: Foundation Building; Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 192: Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning.
Goal: To learn how to analyze and solve problems encountered in various areas of mathematics, in real life, and in other areas of study.
Content: Topics covered include problem solving, patterns in mathematics, deductive and inductive reasoning, logic, analyzing arguments, set theory, the real number system, number theory, numeration systems, graphical descriptions of data, counting methods, and basic probability and statistics.
Prerequisite: None.
Gen. Ed. Category: Foundation Building; Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 205: Calculus I.
Goal: To study the concepts of differential calculus.
Content: Properties and graphs of algebraic and transcendental functions, limits, continuity, the derivative and some of its applications, and antiderivatives.
Prerequisites: MAT 140 or equivalent, or two years of high school algebra, one year of high school geometry, and at least a semester of trigonometry.
Gen. Ed. Category: Foundation Building; Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 206: Calculus II.
Goal: To study the concepts of integral calculus.
Content: Riemann sums, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, techniques of integration, applications of the definite integral, and indeterminate forms.
Prerequisites: MAT 205 or equivalent.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 207: Calculus III.
Goal: To expand the study of differential and integral calculus to an intermediate level.
Content: Indeterminate forms, improper integrals, sequences and infinite series, Taylor polynomials and power series, conics, polar co-ordinates, and an introduction to numerical methods and approximations.
Prerequisites: MAT 206 or equivalent.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 208: Calculus IV.
Goal: To study the extension of the concepts of calculus to functions of several variables.
Content: Properties of functions of several variables, differentiation and integration in Rn, vectors, parametric equations.
Prerequisites: MAT 206 or equivalent.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 210: Linear Algebra.
Goal: To introduce the elements of linear algebra. To apply the theory of matrices to solve appropriate problems, including systems of linear equations.
Content: Matrices, determinants, linear systems, vector spaces, bases, linear transformations, inner products, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization.
Prerequisite: MAT 205.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 220: Statistical Methods.
Goal: To introduce students to the logic of designing an experiment and interpreting the quantitative data derived from it.
Content: A study of the binomial and normal distributions, measures of central tendency, tests of hypotheses, chi-square tests, tests for homogeneity and independence, confidence intervals, regression, and correlation.
Prerequisite: None.
Gen. Ed. Category: Foundation Building; Quantitative Reasoning.
Credit: 3 hours; cross-listed as PSY 220.
MAT 230: Discrete Mathematics.
Goal: To study the basic properties of some discrete mathematical structures and to initiate the rigorous study of mathematical methods of proof.
Content: Graphs and trees, elementary number theory, including counting techniques and recursion; set theory, relations, and methods of proof, including mathematical induction and limit proofs.
Prerequisites: MAT 206 or equivalent.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 300: Ordinary Differential Equations.
Goal: To explore methods of solving ordinary differential equations. To expand upon the techniques learned in the calculus sequence.
Content: A study of first and second order differential equations and of higher order linear differential equations, including power series methods, Laplace transform, and a brief introduction to numerical techniques.
Prerequisites: MAT 205 and 206; 207 as a co- or prerequisite.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 350: Algorithms.
Goal: To familiarize students with concepts central to algorithm performance and resource costs, and to explore how to design solutions that are efficient.
Content: Algorithm design principles, complexity and order of growth, sorting algorithms, a survey of design breakthroughs.
Prerequisite: CSC 216 or permission of instructor.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 396: Special Topics in Higher Mathematics.
Goal: To provide an opportunity to examine in greater depth an area of higher mathematics.
Content: An in-depth examination of an area in advanced mathematics. The topics covered will vary. Representative special topics include graph theory, combinatorics, history of mathematics, and fractal geometry.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Credit: 3 hours. A student may take a maximum of six to eight semester hours (two courses) of special topics in any one field.
MAT 405: Mathematical Modeling.
Goal: To provide an opportunity for students to make connections between mathematics and other disciplines. To enable each student to analyze and adopt a particular model and to present her results in a public forum.
Content: An introduction to mathematical modeling and computer simulation of real-world phenomena, with special attention paid to the initial formulation of the model, the computer implementation of the model, and the interpretation of the mathematical or numerical results. The topics covered will include optimization models, dynamic models, and probability models while real-world phenomena will be drawn from such disciplines as biology, economics, chemistry, physics, political science, psychology, and sociology.
Prerequisites: MAT 205-208, MAT 210, MAT 300, PHY 121, or permission of the instructor.
Credit: 3 hours. This course may be taken to fulfill the requirement for the senior integrative experience in Physics.
MAT 419: Probability and Statistics.
Goal: To study basic mathematical theory, methods, and techniques in probability and statistics, and to examine applications.
Content: A calculus-based treatment of discrete and continuous probability distributions and their applications, including the binomial, hypergeometric, Poisson, uniform, geometric, and normal distributions. Hypothesis testing and chi-square tests.
Prerequisite: MAT 206.
Credit: 3 hours. This course may be taken to fulfill the requirement for the senior integrative experience in Physics.
MAT 450: Data Analysis Seminar.
Goal: To allow students within the Applied Data Analysis major to synthesize the material with their chosen specialty with the tools and methods acquired in the ADA major.
Content: Content is determined on a student-by-student basis and covers experiment design, literature review, and algorithm design and implementation.
Prerequisites: CSC 218 and MAT 250 or permission of instructor.
Credit: 3 hours.
MAT 451: Directed Independent Study.
Goal: To enable an intensive exploration of a topic of special interest. To promote original, independent, creative, and critical thinking.
Content: Directed independent work of a critical or analytical nature. Under careful faculty supervision, qualified students are encouraged to develop originality of thought and thoroughness of method. Emphasis on research methods.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
Credit: 1-6 hours.
MAT 452/199: Field Study.
Goal: To provide the mathematics student with practical experience in some area.
Content: A practical experience in some area of mathematics, such as actuarial science, computer programming, or teaching. A brief plan including objectives, anticipated activities, a list of readings, and the nature of reports to be submitted to the sponsor.
Prerequisites: Adequate background, permission of advisor, program director, faculty sponsor, and the Director of Career Development.
Credit: 1-12 hours.
MAT 499: Honors Thesis. (Fee required).
