Mathematics

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Professors:

Albert J. Osei, Ph.D.
Darayas Patel, Ph.D.

Associate Professors:

Tara Young, Ed.D.
Shushannah Smith, M.S., M.S.E. (Chair)

Assistant Professors:

Joseph Jeries, M.S.
Jea Joseph, M.S.

Affiliated Program: Engineering (B.S.) - Dual Degree Partnership Program

Purpose

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science seeks to provide students with experiences that will assist them in defining their life and career objectives. Course offerings, advising, and day-to-day contact with faculty and other students contribute to this goal. The courses provide the necessary background to allow students to pursue graduate work, teach secondary school, obtain employment in government and industry, and acquire mathematical tools for use in the physical, social, life, and management sciences. The Department also functions as a service unit for the entire University, teaching such mathematics courses as other departments deem necessary for their programs. In addition to the students’ academic development, the Department provides an intellectual environment for fostering personal development, interpersonal skills, and self-understanding. These goals reflect the Department’s philosophy that our primary reason for being is to foster the intellectual growth and development of the students.

High School Preparation

Potential mathematics majors should follow the college preparatory program in high school. Students should take as many mathematics courses as possible to acquire the knowledge and skills in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry needed for college calculus.

Application for Admission

To be admitted as a major in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, students must have completed at least 32 hours of course work, including EN 112 Freshman Composition. Students must also have completed MA 171-172 Calculus I and II if a mathematics major, or CM 210-220 Computer Science I and II if a computer science or Computer Networks major. Applicants must have an overall minimum GPA of 2.00 and a minimum GPA of 2.25 in mathematics or computer science. Application forms must be obtained from and returned to the department.

Exit Examination

Majors in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science are required to pass an exit examination with a minimum passing grade of C. The exit examination is administered during both the fall and spring semesters. See the exit examination policy and procedures in the departmental curriculum guide.

Career Opportunities

Since mathematical scientists use mathematics to solve real-world problems, a degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, or computer science prepares a student for a variety of positions in business, government, industry, and education (teaching K-12). The types of exciting and rewarding careers available include actuary, cryptologist, computer programmer, computer systems analyst, information scientist, mathematician, engineer, numerical analyst, operations research analyst, and statistician.

Degrees

Courses

MA 095: Introduction to College Mathematics

Credits 2

A review of arithmetic and algebraic operations. Course topics include integers and rational numbers, solving and graphing equations, polynomial factoring and simplification of expressions involving radicals and negative exponents. This course is required of all freshmen whose mathematics ACT score is below 16 or mathematics SAT16 score is below 480, and it must be taken before any other mathematics courses, if needed. No grade below C. Not counted in hours required for graduation.

MA 108: College Algebra

Credits 3

A thorough review of the fundamental ideas of algebra. Course topics include linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, rational expressions and function, polynomials, factoring, systems of equations and graphing. This course does not count towards a mathematics major or minor.

MA 108L: College Algebra with Lab*

Credits 4

This collegiate level course is designed to strengthen the student’s pre-college algebra skills while learning college algebra. Topics include solving linear equations, polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, graphs, quadratic equations, rational equations, and radical equations. This course does not count toward the mathematics major or minor, however, it can be used as a math general education requirement. *Pending final approval of MA 108L College Algebra with Lab course

MA 110: Survey of Mathematics

Credits 3

Course topics include critical thinking skills, sets, number theory, the real number system, algebra, graphs, consumer mathematics, geometry. Does not count toward a mathematics major or minor. (Formerly MA 101 Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics)

MA 121: Precalculus Algebra

Credits 3

The algebra of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; graphing; linear and quadratic equations; linear and quadratic inequalities will be studied. Additional topics may include matrices and determinants.

MA 122: Precalculus Trigonometry

Credits 3

The study of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions and their graphs; trigonometric identities; and solving trigonometric equations. Additional topics may include vectors and complex numbers.

MA 123: Precalculus Algebra & Trigonometry

Credits 4

MA 123H: Precalculus Algebra & Trigonometry (Honor)

Credits 4

Course topics include elementary functions, their graphs and applications, including polynomial, rational, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. A student may not receive credit for both MA 123 and the MA 121-122 sequence. This Honors section will have additional requirements that may include extra or expanded assignments, projects or modified assessments.

MA 171: Calculus I

Credits 4

A study of limits, continuity, derivatives, differentials, chain rule, implicit differentiation, applications of the derivative, anti-differentiation, definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus, exponential and logarithmic functions.

MA 171H: Calculus I (Honor)

Credits 4

A study of limits, continuity, derivatives, differentials, chain rule, implicit differentiation, applications of the derivative, antidifferentiation, definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus, exponential and logarithmic functions. This Honors section will have additional requirements that may include extra or expanded assignments, projects or modified assessments.

MA 172: Calculus II

Credits 4

Topics include inverse trigonometric functions, hyperbolic functions, techniques of integration, I’Hopital’s rule, improper integrals, applications of the integral, sequences and series, polar coordinates and vectors.

MA 200: Introduction to Elementary Mathematics

Credits 3

A study of the language and structure of mathematics, including numeration, integers, rational and real numbers, concepts related to consumer mathematics, plane and spherical geometry, elementary probability theory, and the introduction to the use of computers and simple statistics. This course is open to elementary education majors only and cannot be used to fulfill the general education requirements in mathematics. (Formerly MA 100 Introduction to Elementary Mathematics).

MA 211: Applied Calculus

Credits 3

An introduction to differential and integral calculus with applications to problems in the life sciences, business, economics and the social sciences. Does not apply toward a mathematics major or minor.

MA 221: Introductory Statistics

Credits 3

This course introduces statistics to students in a variety of disciplines. Topics covered include descriptive statistics, graphs and charts, introduction to probability and probability distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression.

MA 251: Geometry

Credits 3

An informal summary of elementary Euclidean geometry, a formal modern development of the basic concepts of elementary geometry, non-Euclidean geometry, and a selection of topics in advanced Euclidean geometry.

MA 271: Calculus III

Credits 4

Topics include vector-valued functions, partial differentiation, directional derivative, gradient, tangent plane, extreme values and Lagrange multipliers, iterated integrals, double integrals, vector fields, line and surface integrals, curl and divergence.

MA 305: Applied Mathematics with Technical Writing

Credits 3

This course is designed to expose the mathematics/engineering major to the working environment of industry and to give the student an opportunity to apply knowledge of mathematics to solve problems in the physical, biological, and social sciences. In addition, this course will introduce the student to mathematical literary research and prepare students to produce effective technical documentation for both written and digital media used in today’s workforce. Emphasis will be placed upon technical memos, emails, resume writing, proposals,and technical reports.

MA 308: Linear Algebra

Credits 3

Course topics include systems of linear equations, matrices, matrix operations, determinants, vectors and vector spaces, bases, inner product, linear transformations, change of basis, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, and applications.

MA 311: Differential Equations

Credits 3

A study of first-order differential equations, linear differential equations with variable and constant coefficients, systems of linear differential equations, Laplace transform methods, series solutions, boundary value problems, and applications.

MA 312: Numerical Analysis

Credits 3

A study of numerical methods as they apply to computers. Topics include roots of equations, linear and non-linear simultaneous equations, polynomials, numerical integration, ordinary differential equations, interpolation, and curve-fitting.

MA 313: Mathematics Essentials

Credits 3

This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts, ideas and tools involved in doing mathematics. Students will be introduced to logic and become familiar with methods of mathematical proofs. Topics covered include: a basic introduction to elementary number theory, cardinality, induction, the algebra of sets, relations, equivalence relations, congruences, partitions, and functions.

MA 321: Probability and Statistics I

Credits 3

This course is a calculus-based introduction to probability and statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics, continuous and discrete random variables, conditional probability, expectation and moments, inference, point and interval estimation, testing hypotheses, regression and correlation, and applications.

MA 322: Probability and Statistics II

Credits 3

A continuation of MA 321 Probability and Statistics. Topics include multivariate distributions, functions of random variables, sampling distributions, more estimation methods, Neyman- Pearson, likelihood ratio test, goodness of fit, and analysis of variance.

MA 401: Advanced Calculus I

Credits 3

Vector Calculus: vectors and curves, functions of several variables, limits and continuity, vector functions of a vector, differentiability and the Jacobian matrix, transformations, multiple integrals, line and surface integrals. Theory of Convergence: infinite series, sequence and series of functions, improper integrals and integral representations of functions.

MA 402: Advanced Calculus II

Credits 3

MA 411: Introduction to Modern Algebra

Credits 3

Code

Topics include algebra of sets, equivalence relations, mappings, order relations; discussion of natural, rational, real, and complex number systems; study of the abstract systems: groups, fields, rings, and integral domains. In this course students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English.

MA 419: Real Analysis I

Credits 3

Code

A theoretical treatment of the real number system, topological properties of the real line, sequences of real numbers, and properties of continuous functions. Course topics include logical connectives, quantifiers, techniques of proof, cardinality, the completeness property, compact sets, metric spaces, and continuity in metric spaces. In this course students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English.

MA 420: Real Analysis II

Credits 3

Code

A continuation of MA 419 Real Analysis I. Topics will include the Mean Value Theorem, Riemann integration, convergence tests for sequences and series, point wise and uniform convergence of continuous functions, analytic functions, and compactness properties of continuous functions. In this course students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English.

MA 421: Introduction to Topology

Credits 3

An introduction to the basic concepts of modern topology. Topics include: metric spaces, topological spaces, connectedness, compactness, completeness, quotient spaces, manifolds, and classification of surfaces. This course is designed to expose students to concepts in topology and to provide a foundation for a graduate course in topology.

MA 422: Introduction to Complex Analysis

Credits 3

Code

Functions of a complex variable: integration, sequences and series, the calculus of residues and conformal mapping are studied. In this course students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English.

MA 490: Research and Independent Study

Credits 1 Max Credits 3

Code

An independent study or an original investigation in mathematics by the student under the guidance of the faculty. In this course students are required to demonstrate their ability to write, using standard English.

MA 491: Research and Independent Study

Credits 1 Max Credits 3

Code