SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
Mathematics (MTHBD)
Learning Objectives and Assessment Plan
Students who successfully complete the program should reach the following goals:
- Be able to apply problem solving and logical skills
- Have a deeper understanding of mathematical theory
- Have a solid knowledge of elementary statistics
- Be able to communicate mathematical/logical ideas in writing
- Be competent in computer programming
- Be familiar with several subfields of mathematics (e.g, numerical analysis, topology, operations research).
- Be exposed to undergraduate research or internship opportunities
Syllabus review
The following courses will be used to monitor students’ performance as compared to the program objectives.
MATH 311W. Discrete Mathematics
This is the writing course in the MTHBD major. This course helps students:
- develop logical and problem solving skills, becoming familiar with some of the basic techniques used to construct mathematical proof
- develop writing skills
- learn to communicate mathematical concepts
- be able to construct independently basic mathematical proofs.
MATH 312. Real analysis
This is one of the first theoretical courses in the MTHBD major and it dovetails with MATH 311W. This course should help students:
- understand the mathematical theory that forms the underpinning of calculus
- improve their writing skills, by reinforcing the basic techniques from MATH 311W
- make use of their logical and problem solving skills.
STAT 401. Experimental Methods 1
This course is normally used as the second part of a two-semester sequence in statistics, and it is a required course in the MTHBD major. It is taught by statisticians. Students:
- increase statistical competence
- use mathematical concepts and logical skills to solve applied ‘real-world’ problems.
CMPSC 122. Intermediate Programming
This course is normally used as the second part of a two-semester sequence in computer programming, and it is a required course in the MTHBD major. It is taught by the computer science faculty. In this course, students:
- develop competence in basic and intermediate programming
- learn to write efficient computer programs that solve problems
MATH 429. Introduction to Topology
This course is normally offered every other year. Students often take it in their junior or senior year. The course is typical of many 400-level courses in the MTHBD major because it is not specifically required, but is one of many upper level courses from which the students may choose to fulfill their upper level course requirements. In this course, students:
- develop an elementary understanding of the field of topology
- are given the tools needed to participate in undergraduate research in support of a faculty member doing research in this area.
- continue to develop logical, problem solving, and proof writing skills.