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Mathematics

MATH - Mathematics course descriptions

Faculty

Wendy Weber (chair), Russell Goodman, Thomas Linton, Mark Mills

 

Department Information

Mathematics, one of the keystones of the liberal arts, combines the study of patterns and abstract structures with the art of problem-solving. The ability to reason with quantitative information and solve intricate problems is, and will continue to be, a highly-valued skill. No less important is the ability to communicate technical material. The mathematics faculty is committed to developing these skills in all students. 

All majors will study contemporary and classic branches of mathematics. In addition, faculty encourage students to gain breadth in the major by taking both theoretical and applied courses. Other course requirements are flexible, allowing students to obtain teacher certification, gain practical experience in an internship, or go overseas on one of Central College’s abroad programs. Whether in teaching, in graduate school, or in the workplace, graduates with a liberal arts major in mathematics have the tools they need for success. 

We offer three distinct majors: mathematics, mathematics with data science emphasis, and mathematics with secondary education emphasis.

 

Study Abroad

Majors are encouraged to study abroad. Mathematics/secondary education emphasis majors are encouraged to consider Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education. For many students, the spring semester of their sophomore year is an ideal time for an abroad experience.  Students should consult mathematics faculty while planning to go abroad.

 

Mathematics credit by proficiency

For information on earning credit by proficiency in mathematics, please see the Credit by Proficiency section of this catalog.

 

Major Communication Skills

The department believes that it is essential that majors in mathematics are able to speak, read, write, and listen within the discipline. As such, many courses throughout the major include activities that evaluate students’ ability to communicate. The final evaluation of a student’s communication skills occurs in MATH 386 Mathematics Seminar. In this course, students develop and hone their reading, research, writing, and speaking skills through exploration of mathematical topics.

 

Major/minor restrictions

Students interested in combining business and mathematics may want to consider the actuarial science major, but a mathematics major may not also declare a major in actuarial science. Students seeking a mathematics teaching endorsement should consult the education department. Students choosing the data science emphasis in mathematics may not declare a computer science major with a data science emphasis.

 

Mathematics Major Requirements (42 credits)

  1. Complete all of the following:
    MATH 131 Calculus I (4)
    MATH 132 Calculus II (4)
    MATH 221 Foundations of Mathematics (3)
    MATH 231 Multivariable Calculus (3)
    MATH 240 Linear Algebra (4)
    MATH 386 Mathematics Seminar (3)
    MATH 421 Abstract Algebra I (3)
    MATH 431 Real Analysis I (3)         
    COSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
  2. Complete 12 credits of additional MATH courses numbered 215 and above.

Mathematics Major/Data Science Emphasis Requirements (46-47 credits)

  1. Complete all of the following:
    MATH  131  Calculus I (4)
    MATH  132  Calculus II (4)
    MATH  215  Applied Statistics (4)
    MATH  221  Foundations of Mathematics (3)
    MATH  231  Multivariable Calculus (3)
    MATH  240  Linear Algebra (4)
    MATH  330  Mathematical Modeling (3)
    MATH  386  Mathematics Seminar (3)
    COSC 110   Introduction to Computer Science (3)
    DATA  310   Data Visualization (3)
    DATA  440   Applied Machine Learning (3)     
  2. Complete one of the following:
    MATH  421   Abstract Algebra I (3)
    MATH  431   Real Analysis I (3)     
  3. Complete one of the following:
    COSC  130   Data Structures (3)
    COSC  210   Database and the Web (4) 
  4. Complete 3 credits of additional MATH courses numbered 250 and above

 

Mathematics Major/Secondary Education Emphasis Requirements (42-43 credits)

The Analytical and Physical Science Department will not recommend for teacher licensure students whose grade point average within their mathematics and computer science courses is below 2.5.  The department has advised the Education Department that such students should be denied admission to or be dropped from the teacher education program until their grade point average within the mathematics and computer science courses has been brought up to at least 2.5. 

  1.  Complete all of the following:
    MATH 131 Calculus I (4)
    MATH 132 Calculus II (4)
    MATH 221 Foundations of Mathematics (3)
    MATH 231 Multivariable Calculus (3)
    MATH 240 Linear Algebra (4)
    MATH 310 Geometry (3)
    MATH 386 Mathematics Seminar (3)
    MATH 421 Abstract Algebra I (3)
    COSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
  2. Complete option a or b as follows:
    a. Complete all of the following:
    MATH 341 Probability (3) and
    MATH 342 Statistics (3)
                   AND
    6 credits of additional MATH courses numbered 250 and above.

    b. Complete all of the following:
    MATH 215 Applied Statistics (4)
    AND
    9 credits of additional MATH courses numbered 250 and above. 

Mathematics Minor Requirements (21 credits)

  1.  Complete all of the following:
    MATH 131 Calculus I (4)
    MATH 132 Calculus II (4)
    MATH 240 Linear Algebra (4)
  2. Complete an additional 9 credits of MATH courses numbered 215 or higher; COSC 235 may be taken in place of MATH 221.

 

Mathematics Teaching Minor Requirements (26-28 credits)

The Analytical and Physical Science Department will not recommend for teacher licensure students whose grade point average within their mathematics and computer science courses is below 2.5.  The department has advised the Education Department that such students should be denied admission to or be dropped from the teacher education program until their grade point average within the mathematics and computer science courses has been brought up to at least 2.5.

  1. Complete all of the following:
    MATH 131 Calculus I (4)
    MATH 132 Calculus II (4)
    MATH 310 Geometry (3)*
    COSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
    *Note: MATH 310 has a prerequisite of MATH 221; COSC 235 may satisfy this prerequisite with instructor approval.
  2. Complete one of the following:
    COSC 235 Discrete Structures (3)
    MATH 221 Foundations of Mathematics (3)
  3. Complete one of the following:
    MATH 240 Linear Algebra (4)
    MATH 421 Abstract Algebra I (3)
  4. Complete option a or b as follows:
    a. Complete all of the following:
    MATH 341 Probability (3) and
    MATH 342 Statistics (3)

    b. Complete all of the following:
    MATH 215 Applied Statistics (4) and
    3 credits of MATH courses numbered 231 or higher